A biography for Nicky Oppenheimerhasn’t been written yet.
“I am an African. I live there and my children live there, and as far as I understand, they intend to go on living there.”
“We all need to become more customer-focused and recognize the power of marketing to sell more diamonds.”
“The diamond business has always been secretive.”
“America is a country of entrepreneurship and great business leaders.”
“I don't think Africa gets as much credit as it should have on the world stage. People tend to think of us as coming from The Dark Continent, where nothing good goes on. That's not true. A huge amount of, as I say, entrepreneurship goes on.”
“You can get a diamond which is worth 10 cents; you can get a diamond of exactly the same size, which is worth a hundred dollars.”
“The Kimberley Process is not a perfect construct, and it is necessary now to re-double efforts to address its remaining shortcomings and strengthen its provisions.”
“It is only through developing and maximizing all its natural resources that a sustainable future for Africa and its people can be secured.”
“May I suggest that people in many African countries could be suffering from donation fatigue?”
“One doesn't necessarily have a mission.”
“Diamonds are intrinsically worthless, except for the deep psychological need they fill.”
“It's much nicer to be known as Mr. Nice Guy than Mr. Nasty Guy. But you've got to have lines - and when you hit the line, that's the end of the story, nice guy or not.”
“Diamonds are a key component in the campaign to make poverty history.”
“The army taught me to sign my name very quickly, and that's stood me in good stead the rest of my life.”
“We're seeing diamonds coming back into favor.”
“I was never a skilled artist or anything like that - never a rebel.”
“I am one of the affluent rich living the good life. But I like to think that I am doing my bit to resolve the problems of Africa and am certainly committed to Africa in the long run.”
“One likes at the point of production to realize the maximum value, and diamond producers are no different.”
“Any father likes his son to take over from him if possible.”
“Businesses need certainty, to see clearly the rules of engagement for investing in South Africa.”