Story by Tichaona Kurewa
A coal mining company in Hwange has launched an outreach campaign aimed at encouraging young people to explore career opportunities in Zimbabwe’s mining sector, as the industry continues to play a significant role in the country’s economic growth.
The initiative, which attracted more than 200 learners, featured a quiz competition involving primary and secondary school pupils from across Hwange District in Matabeleland North Province. Organisers say the programme is designed to build awareness of the mining sector while promoting environmental stewardship and interest in energy-related careers.
Learners who participated in the competition said the programme had helped broaden their understanding of the sector and its links to environmental protection and national development.
“We learnt a lot about environmental issues, and I think I will pursue a career in the mining sector,” a pupil said.
“From this quiz competition, I now understand why it is important to protect our environment, as many livelihoods are drawn from it,” a participating learner said.
“We now understand the centrality of the mining sector in Zimbabwe’s economic growth,” another participant said.
“The competition helped us learn more about both environmental and mining issues,” a learner said.
Speaking at the event, Managing Director of South Mining, Mr Li Chenji, said initiatives that engage young learners are critical to developing the next generation of professionals for the industry.
“Mining and energy remain essential to Zimbabwe’s economic future, contributing significantly to national growth and exports. Here in Hwange, coal continues to power industries and support energy security for the nation. But the most important resource for the future is not coal, it is you. Dear students, among you are the future engineers, scientists, entrepreneurs and leaders who will shape the next chapter of Zimbabwe’s development. Your curiosity today is the beginning of that journey,” he said.
Officials from the government also welcomed the programme, noting its alignment with Zimbabwe’s education reforms.
Dr Sosten Ziuku, Director of Policy and Planning in the Ministry of Energy and Power Development, said the competition reflected the principles of the government’s Education 5.0 model, which emphasises teaching, research, community service, innovation and industrialisation.
“This quiz competition builds vital qualities for our learners and promotes the Education 5.0 model adopted by Government, a heritage-based educational philosophy centred on teaching, research, community service, innovation and industrialisation. The model focuses on problem-solving and competency-based learning to create a knowledge-driven economy,” he said.
Skills development initiatives such as these also support the country’s broader economic strategy under the National Development Strategy 2, which prioritises industrial growth and human capital development.
President Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa has previously emphasised the need for the country’s education system to align more closely with national economic development goals, particularly in sectors such as mining, energy and manufacturing.
