ZAWIMA Patron and Mining Affairs Board member Blessing Hungwe has urged the association’s newly elected leadership, led by Chairperson Melody Juma, to put the interests of marginalised women miners at the centre of its work.
Hungwe-Nharara congratulated Juma and her new executive following their election, calling for a servant leadership approach that prioritises the women the association represents.
“Congratulations to Melody,” Hungwe-Nharara said. “Leaders must eat last. They must always act in the best interests of marginalised women in mining.
“Leaders must be open-minded to accommodate different views from the women miners they serve, including stakeholders.”
Her message places particular emphasis on leadership that remains responsive to women miners across the country, including those operating at small and artisanal mining level.
Juma, a ZAWIMA co-founder and Secretary for Masvingo at the Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF), was elected Chairperson alongside a new executive that includes Vice Chairperson Nomuhle Ncube of Matabeleland North, Secretary Sophia Takuva of Midlands and Treasurer Pamela Mutembwa.
Accepting the position, Juma said her election represented a collective responsibility rather than an individual achievement.
“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 said.
“This is not my achievement. It is ours. Let’s build a ZAWIMA that is united, progressive and impactful.”
Juma said the new leadership would focus on improving women miners’ access to resources, formalisation opportunities, markets, training and greater visibility across the mining sector.
The priorities come as women continue to seek greater participation across Zimbabwe’s mining value chain, where access to finance, mining claims, equipment, markets and technical support remains important to the growth of women-owned and women-led mining operations.
Juma also called for members to work collectively as the association begins its new term.
“Let’s work together. Let’s win together. ZAWIMA is rising,” she said.
Hungwe-Nharara’s call for servant leadership therefore comes as the new executive begins its mandate, with the Patron urging the leadership to remain accountable to the women miners it represents and open to views from members and stakeholders.
