Story by Theophilus Chuma
ZIMBABWEAN women are rewriting the narrative in the mining sector, with young enterprising women spearheading operations at various mines across the country.
At 26, Thembekile Mathuthu carries a huge workload involving intense working hours, supervising a team of 19 people which falls directly under her purview at Bindura Nickel Corporation.
Long winding tunnels have been her home for the past three years and out of these deep spaces, she has come out with one of the most inspirational stories as women drive the success of the mining sector in Zimbabwe.
“I have worked in the mining sector for three years and have emerged as a strong person because of the responsibilities that I handle on a daily basis. Sometimes it’s hard but self-belief is the key to success,” she explains.
Her story is testimony of how women have become powerful minds driving Zimbabwe’s mining sector.
24-year-old Rutendo Magwenzi is arguably the country’s youngest Chemist in the mining sector.
She is responsible for giving direction to Bindura Nickel Corporation mining operations, “When the stones are mined they come to me and I will tell them exactly what the mineral component of those stones is. In essence my job is to give direction to the operations of this mine.”
The two ladies’ story is huge, but it has remained hidden from the public eye.
Like Bindura Nickel Corporation, Freda Rebecca Mine, which is one of the country’s big gold producers, also shares similar stories.
Gold production at the mine is spearheaded by a team of powerful women, whose experience stretches from engineering to surveying.
Deep underground they share their success story.
“It is always gratifying to know how we are impacting on the growth of the mining sector. Each minute and every day, this is our work and it shows how women are going above all barriers to grow and develop,” says Eugenia Tanyanyiwa, Mine Surveyor – Freda Rebecca.
Some have known these deep pits for almost twenty years.
“For 18 years, I have worked in the mines. Though not many women work underground, the few who do are really making a positive impact in the industry,” says Charity Munyayi ,Mine Overseer – Freda Rebecca Mine.
They have managed to break biases within the mining sector and in the process, carved their own niche in this industry.
Bianca Munakandafa, Mine Planning Engineer – Freda Rebecca Mine, “I look at the contribution of women as one the success stories in Zimbabwe. We have managed to put aside biases and really transform the sector in various ways. It’s my desire that we have more young women to venture into this industry.”
These success stories are replicated across eight mining giants under the ambit of Kuvimba Mining House.
Mr Simbarashe Chinyemba is the Chief Executive Officer and looks at these successes as one of the priority areas for the mining house.
“We have a deliberate policy to empower women and we have seen this growing over the years. We are satisfied as a company that we are giving a conducive platform for women to grow and showcase their talent while at the same time making positive impact in this sector,” explains Chinyemba.
They are going beyond expectations and setting a firm foundation for women’s professional development.
