Female diamond processor being ‘persecuted’
Barbra Mutambanegwe is the first woman who ventured into the Diamond Mining Processing. She founded and heads the Kenako diamond processing. Instead of being celebrated as a groundbreaker her efforts are perpetuating persecution.
By Mirirai Melissa Ngoya
Victimisation has become the reward of the effort laid by Barbra Mutambanegwe who is the leading woman making history in the diamond mining industry. Recently this year she has been battling with a foreign business person who wanted to take over her work, as a result of meddling corrupt govt officials.
“I am surprised that someone just comes in and attempts to transfer my business to a foreigner, and looking at it, it is because I am a woman,” said Ms Barbra.
“It is very cruel that I have suffered in coming up with this for the benefit of the nation and my family, but someone starts blocking everything, trying to hand over a woman’s efforts to a person whose interest is not towards adding development to the country.”
Diamond processing and mining have been aligned to be a man’s job despite those odds Ms Mutambanegwe engaged herself into diamond processing but apart from being celebrated as the first female laying a great foundation for women in the country to pave way for them to do exploits, she is being discriminated.
“Kenako diamond processor provides quality diamonds, it is because I am a female figure that is the reason why I am facing discrimination with people targeting my work.”
“Persecution is chasing away clients, hence creating cartels who do work for their selfish benefit.”
Barbra also added on saying “when you educate a woman you educate a nation and also by persecuting her you are persecuting the nation.”
It is better to join hands and work together regardless of gender differences and celebrating one’s victory than trembling upon one’s work.