18 small, medium and micro businesses will display and sell their products at the market.
CITY residents will this Heritage Day get the opportunity to experience the background work involved in the diamond and jewellery industry when the Kimberley Diamond and Jewellery Incubator (KDJI) Centre hosts its first pop-up market on Friday.
The marketing manager of KDJI, Katlego Loeto, said that 18 small and medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) will display and sell their products at the market.
Loeto said the aim of the market is not only to highlight the work of the exhibitors but to also showcase the talent of local jewellers.
“The aim of the market will be to promote and market the products of our incubatees and other related sectors’ products. The initiative will create a platform for SMMEs to showcase their products and also penetrate the local market. The local market is mostly ignorant to the products and services that are locally available. There is also a general perception that local products and services are of an inferior quality. Through the market, KDJI aims to show that local SMMEs are very competitive when it comes to quality and price,” said Loeto.
He added that residents will also be granted an opportunity to be educated about the local diamond and jewellery sector.
“The local diamond and jewellery sector has been developing and growing since the inception of KDJI and through Friday’s market the local communities will be exposed to this industry and related industries.
“During the course of the day there will be tours of the incubator (KIDJI) and the academy (KIDJA). The purpose of the tours will be to give the public a feel of the diamond and jewellery industry – the production processes involved. Through the tours, the communities will be able to see that there is a lively and competitive beneficiation and related sectors in the Province.
“The Diamond and Jewellery Centre currently hosts Kimberley International Diamond and Jewellery Academy, a few diamond and cutting companies, a diamond trade house and the Department of Economic Development and Tourism Trade promotion unit. The centre is being positioned as a diamond and jewellery hub and through this event the centre will be marketed and the community will start to understand how the provincial government is positioning the Province in relation to beneficiation.”
Loeto added that the market would also bring some financial relief to local business owners.
“Local SMMEs are still recovering from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and this will be an ideal event to market their capabilities and creativity.
“The market will take the format of an exhibition, where exhibitors will be allowed to sell their products and services. We will also have six food stalls where SMMEs in the hospitality industry will also be selling their products.”
He said that there will be no entry fee on the day and that all Covid-19 protocols will be adhered to. “The exhibition space will be in the yard, which has sufficient space.
One lucky visitor will also stand a chance of walking away with their own diamond during a lucky draw that will take place on the day,” Loeto concluded.
