Chipangura takes mining further by helping the disabled to venture in the mining sector
The ZMF Mash west chairperson Chiedza Chipangura has taken a step further in assisting disabled people to venture into the mining industry suggesting that this is the time for them to enjoy the same privileges being enjoyed by other Zimbabweans. Seeing that there is no reason for this group to be sidelined in the mining sector.
Mirirai Melissa Ngoya
Mining as an enterprise is not only meant to empower able-bodied beings rather it inclusively empowers every citizen in Zimbabwe regardless of their physical conditions. Gradually disabled people are beginning to venture into the industry in a bid to generate their own income deviating from entirely depending on donors and social welfare.
Chiedza Chipangura stands as an icon by encouraging and helping these individuals to take part in the mining industry just like every Zimbabwean citizen. Disabled people must be on the spotlight and they must be recognized not as idle individuals who are solely dependent on other people, rather they must show up in the industry despite the fact that they are disabled.
Motivation from Chipangura has changed the lives of disabled people, speaking to Mining Zimbabwe Miss Sharai Makota said “I am very glad to know Chiedza Chipangura because she inspired me and helped me to come up with chrome mine claims in Darwandale even though I am not an able-bodied person.”
Joining the Norton miners association opened many opportunities for Miss Makota as she highlighted, “I then became close to Chiedza who helped me to raise funds to pay the pager then I started buying and selling chrome.”
“I assisted Miss. Makota to register a mining claim after realizing that disabled people are also human beings and they can also do what able-bodied individuals are doing and start benefiting from the mining sector. However, she is still looking for investors” Said Chiedza.
Chiedza Chipangura added on, “if we join hands and accommodate people with disabilities we will make life easy for them since they require a lot of things on their daily bases. Further on being in mining doesn’t mean that one must hold a pick and shovel, for this special group it is through opening doors for them and creating opportunities so that they become mine holders.”
The government should start saving areas with mineral deposits in each mining province for PLWDs in a way to accommodate them and for them to profit from Zimbabwean resources.