Zimbabwe’s mining industry has lost one of its pioneering indigenous entrepreneurs following the death of Zambezi Gas and Coal Mine Managing Director Edward Raradza, who died in Harare on Friday evening at the age of 79.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
Raradza leaves behind a significant legacy in Zimbabwe’s coal mining industry, where he emerged as a leading advocate and example of indigenous participation in the ownership and development of the country’s mineral resources.
Through Zambezi Gas and Coal Mine, Raradza demonstrated that Zimbabweans could play a direct role in establishing, owning and operating major mining enterprises in an industry historically dominated by foreign and large corporate interests.
His family confirmed his death, saying relatives were still coming to terms with the loss.
“I can confirm that father passed away late yesterday, around before 8:00pm last night. It was a shock to the family. We’re still trying to process it and accept that this is what has happened,” family representative Mr Mathew Raradza said.
Zambezi Gas and Coal Mine Deputy Managing Director Mr Linos Masimura described Raradza as a visionary leader whose contribution extended beyond the development of coal and gas resources.
“We have lost a leader whose legacy was defined not only by the coal and gas resources he helped develop, but by his belief that Zimbabweans must be active participants in the ownership and development of Zimbabwe’s natural resources, while communities must share in the benefits of that development,” Masimura said.
He said the company would continue to pursue Raradza’s vision of a mining industry that creates opportunities for Zimbabweans while contributing to the development of communities hosting mining operations.
Raradza’s contribution to the sector was also recognised by Hwange Colliery Company Limited Administrator Mr Munashe Shava, who said the late mining entrepreneur had helped demonstrate the potential for indigenous Zimbabweans to participate meaningfully in large-scale mining.
“Cde Raradza played an important role in the coal mining sector. He demonstrated that indigenous Zimbabweans can invest, own and operate major mining enterprises, and his contribution helped strengthen the participation of local business in Zimbabwe’s coal industry,” Shava said.
Beyond mining, Raradza also built a legacy around community development in Matabeleland North, particularly in and around Hwange, where Zambezi Gas and Coal Mine supported a range of education, health, water and infrastructure initiatives.
Matabeleland North Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Richard Moyo, said Raradza’s contribution to the province extended well beyond his business interests.
“Cde Raradza was not only a mining entrepreneur, he was a development partner to the people of Matabeleland North. His legacy is reflected in the jobs he created and in the communities, schools, health facilities and water infrastructure that benefited from his work,” Moyo said.
Under Raradza’s leadership, Zambezi Gas supported mobile science laboratories in Matabeleland North to promote practical STEM education and provided ventilators during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The company also participated in the desiltation of dams in Hwange to improve water availability, constructed classroom blocks in Hwange District and supported water provision in surrounding communities.
The initiatives reflected Raradza’s belief that mining should create benefits beyond the extraction of minerals, particularly for communities hosting mining operations.
His death marks the passing of a businessman whose career became closely associated with the growth of indigenous participation in Zimbabwe’s coal mining industry. Through his work at Zambezi Gas and Coal Mine, Raradza helped advance the idea that Zimbabweans could move beyond being beneficiaries of the country’s mineral wealth to becoming direct participants in its ownership and development.
As mourners gather in Harare, funeral arrangements are expected to be announced in due course.
