The Sunday News
Judith Phiri, Sunday News Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S mining industry is one of the country’s economic mainstays, with the sector contributing about 70 percent of the country’s foreign currency earnings.
The country has seen a number of women joining the mining sector and breaking barriers in a male-dominated sector. With March being Women’s History Month and March 8 being International Women’s Day, it is important to acknowledge the impact women have had and their contributions to society, the economy, culture, and politics. As we celebrate women, we also acknowledge those who have become shining examples and shattered the mining sector’s glass ceiling.
Sunday News reporter Judith Phiri (JP) recently had an interview with Mimosa Mining Company Head Corporate Affairs and Past President of the Chamber of Mines Zimbabwe, Mrs Elizabeth Nerwande (EN), one of the few women in the country that are breaking the barriers in the previously male-dominated sector. Below are the excerpts from the interview:
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JP: Who is Mrs Elizabeth Nerwande – a brief description and also education background?
EN: I am a social worker and psychologist by training. I hold an Honours Degree in Industrial Psychology and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work. My previous experience includes having worked as Executive Director of the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe, Chief Executive Officer of ZimTrade and Commissioner General for Zimbabwe during the 2015 Aichi World Expo that was held in Japan.
JP: How did you then get into the mining sector?
EN: Mining chose me. In 2009 I was a consultant for three mining companies on strategic forward-planning issues and was part of the team that was instrumental in providing innovative solutions and leadership direction in my area of expertise. My role has also been on understanding communities and to bridge the gap between community expectations and business obligations. In 2011, Mimosa then requested me to work with them full-time.
JP: Please describe your current role and the key duties you carry out.
EN: I am Head of Corporate Affairs at Mimosa, responsible for high-level corporate communication strategies for the company. The mining ecosystem consists of various stakeholders including the community where we operate from. It is critical to nurture good relations with the stakeholder and communicate impactfully and effectively with the stakeholder to foster mutually beneficial relationships.
JP: What is your experience of being a woman and working in the male-dominated mining sector?
EN: A fact is that in mining, men have been the most dominant. But when it comes to competence from both sides (male and female), there must be a de-emphasis on gender and an increased weighting on competence. It must be understood that in some cases what men can do women can also do. Fortunately, in my career within the mining industry, I have also been given the honour to lead the Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe, as president, an honour that was given to me as a woman for the first time.
So, I believe there is a need for a deliberate policy to ensure that there is a greater representation of women in mining but that must not be at the expense of competence which also means that even men within the mining sector must come to an understanding that women too are equally good. For instance, at Mimosa, we now have female geologists, female metallurgists, and female surveyors. So sometimes it’s about how you move out from stereotypes. It is important to have essential guiding principles. In all one does, stay diligent, stay accountable and alert to your surroundings. Opportunity favours the prepared mind. Your future is hidden in your daily routine.
JP: What challenges have you experienced by virtue of working in an industry that is predominantly male?
EN: Working in an industry that is mostly dominated by men has its own challenges. I realised I needed to make certain adjustments. I had to work on managing all the dynamics of gaining entry and acceptance into the big boys’ club. The pressure was real and sometimes the fear of failure could be all-consuming.
In the end, however, I realised that we are not meant to compete with our male counterparts but complement each other. The workplace does not need more women trying to be men, it just needs more women. It is undeniable that women generally bring a humane feel to work, a feeling which cannot be underestimated in ensuring psychosocial well-being in the workplace and a value that has an immeasurable impact on long-term sustainability.
JP: Considering the growing number of women venturing into mining, what word of advice do you have for them and how should they handle themselves in the sector?
EN: As in any profession, your competence must speak for itself. De-emphasise gender, and over-emphasise competence, capability, result and productivity. Let not people see you as a woman but as a competent professional. One of my guiding principles is to learn as much as possible as you go along with every position. Value the process of learning rather than being the best. You need to intentionally plan your growth – you cannot meaningfully be part of what you are not fully knowledgeable about. I can safely say I am now a miner – in between I have been doing short courses on mining to arm myself. Zimbabwe School of Mines has very good courses. Success leaves clues. Find mentors and role models who have already achieved what you want to achieve.
JP: Looking at the Government’s target of a US$12 billion mining industry by the end of this year, how are women likely to positively contribute to the target?
EN: It’s not about women, it’s about the industry that accepts women as co-part of the industry. The focus must be on understanding that women can do it too in the industry. De-emphasise competency either way. We must move away from strait jacketing women and say simply because we are women therefore our competence must be put to us to say somehow your gender defines your competency. No, we are humans. So, competence must be understood by both sets of gender.
