Three Namibian jewellery designers were named the De Beers Group 2024 Shining Light award winners.
There are four groups of winners, each with four winners from Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, and Canada.
Juliana Fransisko entered first place, Padja Kaitungwa was second, and Luka Ndivayele was third.
The 2024 Shining Light Awards empower the next generation of designers from the countries where De Beers recovers diamonds, including Botswana, Canada, Namibia, and South Africa.
Originally launched in 1995, the Shining Light Awards are part of the De Beers Group Designers Initiative, a youth beneficiation skills development initiative to cultivate world-class jewellery design and manufacturing skills within De Beers Group’s host countries.
The competition runs every two years and is open to jewellery designers aged 18 to 35 who are in their final year of a jewellery design programme, have already graduated, or have relevant jewellery design experience.
This year’s design theme, “Luxury Redefined,” invited entrants to present innovative, authentic, and inclusive visions of luxury while celebrating diversity.
Each entry included designs for a complete jewellery collection featuring a ring, necklace, earrings, bangles, and bracelets.
One hundred four entries were submitted this year, with 22 finalists representing each country selected.
De Beers Group managed operations CEO
Moses Madondo said the Shining Light Awards are a testament to De Beers Group’s commitment to beneficiation in the countries where they recover diamonds.
Madondo said that by creating accessible opportunities within the diamond sector, they actively invest in local talents and focus on supporting youth to benefit from the diamond industry.
“Through the Shining Light Awards, we provide a platform that nurtures and develops emerging designers and highlights the value of skills transfer, entrepreneurship, and creativity along the diamond value chain.
‘We are genuinely inspired by the talent and innovation showcased by this year’s finalists,” Madondo said.
An international panel of judges representing the four countries, led by the CEO of De Beers Jewellers, Céline Assimon, evaluated and selected this year’s winners.
Assimon said the Shining Light Awards provide a platform to spotlight young talent and open doors within the diamond sector and global markets.
She added that this year’s theme, Luxury Redefined, inspired a range of creative interpretations, with designers exploring sustainability, natural elements, and cultural heritage as sources of inspiration, reflecting how luxury is shaped and defined by individual lived experience.
“It was an honour to be part of this year’s competition, and congratulations to our winners and all applicants for their exceptional submissions,” Assimon said.
The prizes include business support, a structured skills development programme, and tuition assistance, all aimed at empowering winners to build sustainable careers in the jewellery industry and contribute lasting value to their communities.
The 2024 winners are:
First Place
- Legakwana Leo Makgekgenene (Botswana)
- Alisha Ansems (Canada)
- Juliana Fransisko (Namibia)
- Otlotleng Moshupa (South Africa)
Second Place
- Tsholo Cater Mogobye (Botswana)
- Elinor Nelson-Hachey (Canada)
- Padja Kaitungwa (Namibia)
- Eve Julia Schneeberger (South Africa)
Third Place
- Tshegofatso Sheba Kenalemang (Botswana)
- Samantha Yeung (Canada)
- Luka Ndivayele (Namibia)
- Lisa Henn (South Africa)
