Percy Zenda Jr. Masters Diamond Value Addition: Self-Taught in Polishing and Cutting Techniques
Date:19 April 2024
ZimTimes Staff
The diamond cutting and polishing industry is a lucrative venture involving the expertise needed to cut and polish precious gems. Historically, this sector was restricted to individuals of Caucasian, Indian, and Arab descent.
In 2017, Percy Zenda Senior founded Transcontinental Gems Private Limited in Zimbabwe with a vision to craft diamonds and jewelry. With a workforce of 20, Zenda Senior emphasizes the significance of adding value to precious gems through diamond cutting and polishing, recognizing their potential for yielding optimal returns.
Zenda Senior outlined Transcontinental Gems Private Limited’s unique approach, emphasizing their focus on value addition rather than physical mining. He explained that the company procures diamonds from MMCZ and sources other semi-precious stones from small-scale mines.
At just 19 years old, Percy Zenda Junior embodies his father’s wit and dedication to serving the community. Inspired by witnessing his father enhance the value of diamonds, he took it upon himself to master the art of diamond cutting. Now, he’s passionate about imparting this knowledge to the younger generation, eager to empower the country’s youth with valuable skills.
The young Zenda recounted how he spent countless hours alongside his father, carefully observing every step of the cutting and polishing process. Despite the lengthy duration it took to grasp each detail, he persisted, even when his father worked late into the night. Zenda Junior’s dedication paid off when he completed his first piece of work entirely on his own, a milestone that filled him with pride and marked the beginning of his independent journey in the craft.
Zenda Junior elaborated on his extensive experience in enhancing value within the diamond polishing sector. He emphasized the establishment of a dedicated training facility within their workshop, offering free education to youth on gemstones, and engaging in nationwide outreach initiatives. He underscored the transformative potential of investing knowledge in the product, highlighting its profound impact on both industry advancement and socio-economic development.
The young man says he will strive by all means, and he promises that one day he will be a diamond mogul in Africa.The Zenda family wishes there were GIA laboratories for certification. There is no GIA in Zimbabwe, so final diamond exports for certification must be shipped to the United States, South Africa, or Israel.
The Young Miners Foundation has partnered with Transcontinental Gems Private Limited to ensure that over 5000 miners benefit from the Zenda Junior initiative. According to Payne Kupfuma, CEO of YMF, “this is a great opportunity for all young miners, they will be equipped, and mining level in value addition will go to another level. ”This is a brilliant idea, and we will reach everyone countrywide,” he added
