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VANCOUVER, Oct. 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ - Rockwell Diamonds Inc. ("Rockwell
Diamonds" or the "Company") (TSX: RDI) (JSE: RDI) (OTCBB: RDIAF) is
pleased to announce that it has strengthened its board of directors
with the appointment of a new non-executive director as well as a new
chairman.



David Copeland has stepped down as Chairman, but will remain on the
board as a non-executive director. The Company is delighted that he
will continue to contribute to strategic matters while actively
supporting the new Chairman.


Dr Mark Bristow has been appointed as non-executive Chairman with effect
from September 9, 2011. Mark was Acting CEO of Rockwell for six months
to May 2011 during which he initiated the strategic review early in
2011 which led to initiatives to improve the production profile and
enhance efficiencies. He is well positioned to guide the Company as it
delivers on its growth strategy.


Johan van'T Hof has joined the board of Rockwell as an independent
non-executive director and will be appointed to the audit committee.
Based in Canada, Johan is a C.A. and holds an MBA. He has wide ranging
experience in the listed company environment including regulatory
affairs, financings, mergers and acquisitions and corporate finance.



These changes to the board are in line with the ongoing operational and
strategic repositioning of the Company, ensuring that it has a board
and management team with the appropriate and committed skills to
optimize its performance and to unlock its inherent value for
shareholders.


"We welcome Johan to the board and look forward to a long and productive
engagement with him. The additional technical and financial skills
which he brings will benefit the Company as it progresses with its
growth strategy," explains Mark Bristow, Chairman, Rockwell Diamonds.
"We also express our sincere gratitude to David for his loyal
commitment and wise counsel during his five year tenure as Chairman.
With the changes that have been implemented, Rockwell's board has a
good balance with its South African based knowledge and experience
being complemented by global focus of our international directors."




No regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information
contained in this news release.




SOURCE Rockwell Diamonds Inc.