In a nation rich with mineral wealth, the story of Zimbabwe’s gemstones is no longer one of hidden potential and missed opportunities, but a celebrated narrative of empowerment, inclusion, and visionary partnership, thanks to the transformative Fair, Green and Global (FGG) project, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
Implemented by the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Organisation (ZELO) in partnership with ActionAid Zimbabwe, this initiative has successfully turned an overlooked and informal subsector into a beacon of sustainable and community-centric development, leaving a legacy that will resonate for generations.
The profound impact of this collaboration was palpable at a recent project closure and documentary dissemination event held during the Zimbabwe Alternative Mining Indaba (ZAMI), where partners and beneficiaries alike gathered to celebrate a journey that has redefined the very fabric of artisanal gemstone mining.
The success of the FGG project was driven by the dedicated leadership of two key individuals: Fadzai Midzi, the point person from the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Organisation (ZELO), and Darlington Chidarara, the lead from ActionAid Zimbabwe. Their synergistic partnership provided the strategic direction and grassroots momentum needed to turn an ambitious vision into a tangible reality.
Reflecting on the journey with a sense of proud accomplishment, Fadzai Midzi of ZELO stood before the audience and painted a picture of the sector’s remarkable metamorphosis. “When we embarked on this journey with ActionAid in 2021, our gemstone sector was shrouded in silence,” Midzi shared, her voice reflecting the weight and joy of the milestone. “It was an invisible world, operating on the margins. Today, our hearts are full. We now have a strong, vibrant gemstone association and a growing national conversation that puts value addition and community benefits at the forefront. This project was never just about minerals; it was about people. It was about giving miners and communities the knowledge to protect their interests, the confidence to raise their voices, and the practical tools to advocate for a future where mining truly benefits everyone.”
This sentiment was echoed by the project’s core vision, which Darlington Chidarara of ActionAid helped shape—a five-year commitment to ensuring that marginalised groups, particularly women and youth, could claim their space in mining value chains and trade, firmly grounded in the unwavering principles of human rights, gender equality, and a just energy transition.
Breaking the Silence: A New Dawn for Dialogue in Mutoko
The project’s most dramatic transformation unfolded in Mutoko District, a region blessed with abundant gemstone deposits but long stifled by a culture of secrecy and limited oversight. Zephania Nhidza of the Mutoko Rural District Council provided a powerful testimony to the change in atmosphere.
“Before ZELO and ActionAid came to us, gemstone mining was a closed book,” Nhidza explained. “Miners would operate in isolation, with no dialogue, no royalty agreements, and no thought for community development. It was considered a forbidden topic, often controlled by powerful interests. But when Fadzai, Darlington, and their teams engaged us, we decided to believe in a new possibility. We saw miners we never thought would sit at a table with us come forward and engage. They broke the silence with us. This was the crack that let the light in, paving the way for transparency and ensuring that the wealth from our land could finally begin to benefit the people of our community.”
Empowering the Excluded: Women and Youth Take Center Stage
A defining triumph of the FGG project has been its unwavering focus on elevating women and youth, transforming them from sidelined observers into central actors in the gemstone narrative. The formation of the Women in Gemstone Association of Zimbabwe (WIGAZ) provided a united platform for women to organise, train, and boldly showcase their craftsmanship.
Stellia Phiri, a member of WIGAZ, beamed as she recounted her experience. “Through our association, we found our collective voice,” Phiri said. “We learned, we grew, and we even travelled to other countries to exhibit our beautiful stones. It was more than a trip; it was an affirmation that our work has value on a global stage.”
Blessing Hungwe of the Zimbabwe Women in Mining Association (ZAWIMA) highlighted how the project, under Chidarara and Midzi’s guidance, demystified the market. “I knew where the gemstones were in Hurungwe, but I never knew how to make them profitable,” Hungwe shared. “This lack of knowledge pushed women into other work. The FGG project didn’t just give us tools; it gave us vision. It showed us that through value addition, we could build a future for ourselves right here.”
Building Skills, Building Futures: The Engine of Capacity Development
Understanding that true empowerment requires practical ability, the project, led by Midzi’s team at ZELO, forged critical alliances with institutions like the Zimbabwe School of Mines (ZSM) and the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ).
Paul Machona of ZSM detailed this hands-on approach. “We moved beyond theory,” Machona explained. “We trained women in the art of lapidary—cutting and polishing stones—and then provided a vital incubation phase. This support system, a core part of the project’s design, ensured they were not just skilled but also confident entrepreneurs ready to thrive on their own.”
From Local to Global: Connecting Communities to International Markets
The project’s impact stretched beyond Zimbabwe’s borders, successfully plugging local miners into regional and international value chains. This allowed them to bypass the low returns of raw exports and instead profit from finished, value-added products.
Ruvimbo Kadengu, Secretary-General of WIGAZ, shared her profound personal journey. “My grandfather mined emeralds, and I grew up loving these stones but seeing no future in them,” Kadengu recounted. “Then, through this project, we travelled to Zambia and Nigeria. We saw that gemstones are a multibillion-dollar industry. That knowledge was power. We realised we are not just miners; we are businesswomen. Now, we add value to every stone, and that means more money stays with us, our families, and our communities.”
A Lasting Legacy: Structures for a Sustainable Future
As the FGG project closes, its legacy is secured not in a report, but in the lives changed and the systems built. Mutoko District Development Coordinator Kambaya Isiah praised the model of collaboration. “The partnership between ZELO and ActionAid, facilitated by Midzi and Chidarara, provided a blueprint for how development should work—through coordination and true partnership with government. This model must be replicated.”
Fadzai Midzi concluded with a powerful vision for the future: “This project has woven a new DNA of advocacy and enterprise into our gemstone sector. The structures we built together are strong. They will continue to champion value addition, community benefits, and human rights long after we step aside. The silence has been broken for good, replaced by the vibrant, hopeful sounds of inclusive growth and shared prosperity. That is our lasting gift to Zimbabwe.”
