The chairperson of the community property association said that he was prepared to assist with the financing of these applications of R100 000 each if he could get a fair share.
The women's group, the Witvoorkop Vrouegroep, named after a farm, sold a 90,3-carat diamond and 6,1-carat pink diamond in 2004, but, unfortunately, they believe they didn't get the full price as a result of the closed system - and there is no way that they can get to the truth. The only thing they can do now is to go to the Constitutional Court. This is in spite of section E.3 of the De Beers Best Practice Principles, in terms of which full disclosure at all levels of the diamond distribution chain must be adhered to. That is exactly what they claim to be doing, but it is not the truth.
There are certain illegalities in the BEE Mining Charter and Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act. They concern the small-scale marine mining community who have a rich ocean mining heritage dating back to the 1970s and who are world leaders in shallow-water diamond mining. They own over 75 of the diver mining units and are 79% black-owned, but in spite of these impeccable credentials, do not own one of the approximately 45 sea mining rights in the Northern Cape.
Indeed, while some are being obscenely enriched in the mining industry, the coloured small-scale marine miners in the Northern Cape have never been worse off. There are many mining vessels lying on the Port Nolloth Beach, an example of how bad things are for them. This whole industry is also in a bad situation owing to a lack of equitable access to the market, something we need to pay attention to.
Minister, I think my time is up. I would like to meet with you afterwards and see what we can do to improve the situation. Thank you for whatever you have done and we appreciate your presence here today. Thank you. [Applause.]