Hip-Hop mogul Russell Simmons landed in South Africa yesterday (Nov. 27) on a fact-finding mission to learn how the diamond industry can positively affect the lives of black Africans living amongst high poverty, HIV and lack of quality education.

Simmons will visit Botswana and South Africa during the fact-finding mission to learn more about the diamond trade.

Today, the 49-year-old mogul visited the Jwaneng diamond mine in Botswana.

“I am here because the most important and powerful Muslim preacher and the most important and powerful Jewish Rabbi I have met in my lifetime - The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan and Rabbi Marc Schnier - both, individually, told me to come here,” Simmons said in a statement. “I am sending this out because I sincerely believe that the more people I can mobilize to support this mission, the greater chance we’ll have to help improve the quality of life of more of the African people. The more people talk about this mission, the more I can serve humanity. Further, I believe that I am protected by the One God that protects all of humanity.”