The Zimbabwe Association of Women in Mining Associations (ZAWIMA) has elected Melody “Melo” Juma as its new Chairperson, with a new executive expected to drive efforts to strengthen the participation of women across the country’s mining value chain, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
Juma, a co-founder of ZAWIMA and Secretary for Masvingo at the Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF), was elected alongside Nomuhle Ncube of Matabeleland North as Vice Chairperson and Sophia Takuva of Midlands as Secretary. Pamela Mutembwa from Mashonaland Central was elected Treasurer, while Lucy Mahachi was elected Secretary for PWDs.
The new leadership brings together representatives from different mining regions as ZAWIMA seeks to strengthen its national representation and address challenges facing women involved in mining.
In her acceptance remarks, Juma described her election as a collective achievement, pledging to lead the association with “wisdom, unity and action.”
“I am deeply honoured and humbled by your trust in electing me as Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Association of Women in Mining Associations,” she said.
“From being a Co-Founder to now leading this movement, this journey has always been about one thing: making sure no woman in mining stands alone.”
Juma identified access to resources, formalisation, markets and greater representation for women in decision-making spaces as four key priorities for her tenure.
She said her administration would work to ensure women miners have a stronger voice in mining-related discussions at both national and continental levels.
“As Secretary for Masvingo at ZMF, I have seen the strength, the hustle, and the resilience of women on the ground,” Juma said.
“This is not my achievement. It is ours. Let’s build a ZAWIMA that is united, progressive and impactful. The work starts now.”
Women involved in artisanal and small-scale mining continue to face challenges including access to finance, mining claims, machinery, technical support and reliable markets.
For women miners, access to capital remains particularly important as the sector moves towards greater formalisation, mechanisation and value addition.
Juma said the new leadership would push for increased training, market access and visibility for women miners across the country’s provinces.
She also thanked the Zimbabwe Miners Federation for its continued support and the women who supported the establishment and growth of ZAWIMA.
The new executive is expected to build on ZAWIMA’s role in bringing women mining associations together and advocating for their interests within Zimbabwe’s mining sector.
Juma said the association would seek to ensure that women from different mining regions are represented in discussions affecting the industry.
“Let’s work together. Let’s win together. ZAWIMA is rising,” she said.
