When you think of Durban, you think of sun and sand and lazy palms swaying in the tropic breeze.Located on the east coast of Africa with a population of 3,5 million, Durban or eThekwini to the locals,is one of the world's fastest growing cities.
Durban is also home to Shandu Diamonds, a husband and wife team-Busisiwe and Douglas Shandu-who are heading for the Antwerp Diamond Conference 2007 together with a delegation from Durban from 15th-16th October 2007.
Douglas started out by studying Jewellery Design and Manufacture at the Durban Universirty in 1995.He then studied Auctioneering at the South African Auctioneering College in Kempton Park in Johannesburg where he took interest in gold, platinum and diamonds.
At AGM of the South African Diamond Board in 1998, realized that diamonds were his calling and enrolled at the Harry Oppenheimmer Diamond College the following year(1999),graduating in Rough Diamonds-Identification,Evaluation and Marking. Further went for Elementary Cutting and Polishing of Diamonds.
Returned to Durban and continued to work for Unilever, a Soapmaking factory he joined in 1979 where he was employed as a team leader. Left this company in 2005 November to pursue his passion in Diamonds Business.
Went in search for business opportunities in 2010 World Cup,in Zurich, Switzerland.presented by COSEC at FIFA head office,with a delegation from the Durban Chamber and Trade and Investment teams. Did extensive market research on security solutions and rough/ polished diamonds in Zurich, Montreaux where they had an exhibition on global tourism. Most of the countries around the world, were represented in this exhibition. The last route was in Berne.
He was licenced to Cut and Polish Diamonds in December 2006 and licenced to Deal in Rough Diamonds in February 2007.
Purpose of Shandu Diamonds
In South Africa poverty and lack of skills and employment are the two most critical challenges.The Shandus are rising to the these challenges by establishing a world class factory and a Training School for the Diamond Business in Durban.
They Plan To:
- Teach Identification and Evaluation of Rough Diamonds
- Rough Diamonds Marking
- Evaluation of Polished Diamonds
- Set up a world class cutting & polishing element
- Set up a world class gem test laboratory
Otherwise we are licenced to buy and resell rough diamonds as well as cut and polish rough diamonds,adding value to the African continent treasures. We are looking for investments to develop skills and provide an enabling environment for opportunities for all the Nations across the world.
