The female Zimbabwean Entreprenuer making waves in the mining industry

                                                   Meddy Matshalaga


Mining has been identified as one the key drivers of the local economy and Meddy Matshalaga is one of the few women operating a mine. 


She is the executive director of Three Gem Gold Mines in Zvishavane and chairs the Licensed Gold Buyers’ Association of Zimbabwe. 


ND: Can you give us a brief background of your company?


MM: Three Gem Gold Mines started at the end of 2007. We started serious operations in 2008 when things were really tough during the Zimbabwe dollar era. The mine started with what you call custom milling (stamp mill) for small-scale miners in Zvishavane where we provided a service to small-scale miners who brought their ore for grinding to produce gold. We began to do mining at very low scale and, later, we received a buying and selling licence. 


The company was established with $40 000 savings from my Development International consultancy business. I used the money for construction, bought transformers and a stamp mill.


ND: What motivated you to get into this line of business?


MM: I think two things happened. Initially, it was because I just wanted to have another business in case I got tired of working formally, but the real thing that really motivated me was some time back, I think in 2007, the Ministry of Gender and Woman’s Affairs hosted a field day in Zvishavane where I participated. 


It was at that time the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe used to do a lot of mining in Zvishavane and worked with rural women, pounding and processing gold. So it was mainly woman labour. I loved seeing women participating, but I felt it was too much work for them on one hand, but on the other, I realised women could contribute to the economy in a positive way.


ND: How have you managed to get to where you are today?


MM: It has been a long story, I guess. I don’t know whether I can call myself somebody who has made it. But I think it is through hard work by somebody who had a passion for the sector. The sector is very active once you are in it, so you want to continue. However, I think the most important thing is to put some professionalism into the work. 


ND: What is your opinion on the mining industry and general performance of the gold sector?


MM: I would say the mining sector is one of the key drivers of the economy. Gold is also one of the major minerals contributing to the export market and I am sure the gold sector will surpass the target of 13 tonnes anticipated by year-end.


We have had a favourable environment given Europe is struggling and prefers keeping its wealth in gold. This has encouraged a lot of production in the sector, but again I think the sector is not really being fully maximised. There is need for more resources and technological know-how on gold extraction.


ND: Given that there are very few women in mining, what are some of the challenges you face?


MM: The mining sector is heavily dominated by men even in extraction itself. Women need to be educated even in little things such as how to register a mine and how to handle labour issues. At times women get cheated to get some of their work done. There are, however, a number of women working hard and doing well.


ND: What advice can you give to other entrepreneurs who are in your line of business?


MM: The secret to running a business successfully for a long period of time is by running it professionally.
Such issues as employees and banking are critical for a successful business.


The most important thing is to comply with the regulations of the country. If you are playing football understand what is wrong and what is right. Comply with the laws, labour law and Zimra (obligations). Just comply from A to Z. When you comply you don’t need to worry. You get visitors at your premises.
Let us toe the line in all respects 


ND: What do you think should be done to improve mining in Zimbabwe?


MM: Small-scale producers need support so that they can maximise their potential. They need access to compressors and education on how to grow their businesses.


If all miners could comply and contribute the relevant taxation they owe, then the economy will do very well. Look next door in Botswana, they are doing well as a country as their revenues are being channelled towards development through the construction of schools, roads and hospitals, among other infrastructure.


ND: What are your future plans?


MM: My future plan is to add value to the Licensed Gold Buyers Association of Zimbabwe (LGBAZ). We want to make it efficient and grow the association to enable it to provide services to its members so they can run their businesses professionally.


The growth of good practices by members will enable a significant contribution to the fiscus. We recently made an application for LGBAZ members to be allowed to export their gold so they could enjoy benefits of economic liberalisation.

#BeInspired













*Interview conducted by external source

The Wealthy Zimbabwean Miner

                                          July Ndlovu

Ndlovu Director at Anglo Platinum

BSc (Honours) (University of Zimbabwe), MBL (Unisa), CSEP (Columbia), BLP (Duke Corporate Education)

Executive head: Process  at Anglo Platinum.Sitting on the executive committee of one of the world’s biggest multi-national mining companies

July graduated in Engineering and Business Leadership from the universities of Zimbabwe and South Africa respectively, and completed the Senior Executive Programme with Columbia Business School. He was previously employed in Zimbabwe by Anglo American Zimbabwe subsidiaries, where he held senior managerial positions in metallurgicaloperations and technical services. He transferred to Anglo  Platinum in 2001, was initially appointed business manager  of Polokwane Smelter, and later became head of process  technology. In September 2007 he was appointed executive head: process at Anglo Platinum.

Sitting on the executive committee of one of the world’s biggest multi-national mining companies, July Ndlovu, refuses to let power go to his head.

“I am no different from the ordinary man on the street and I would not call myself a successful person,” he says with true humility. “I am just an ordinary man working very hard and I have been pretty fortunate to have the opportunity to work with people who believe in me.

If the truth be told, there are many other people who are as qualified as I am and others who are brighter, but are still nowhere near where I am now.”

In his fourth year as Executive Head of Process, Member of Executive Committee and Member of Operations Committee at Johannesburg Stock Exchange-listed Anglo Platinum Ltd, Ndlovu (45) is one of very few blacks to hold such a post in mining here.

How to be a Millionaire

With Anglo-Platinum being the world's leading primary producer of platinum group metals and accounting for about 40 per cent of the world's newly-mined platinum, Ndlovu’s phenomenal rise up its ladder cannot be downplayed, even by the man himself.

Ndlovu, who graduated in Engineering and Business Leadership from the Universities of Zimbabwe and South Africa respectively, and completed the Senior Executive Programme with Columbia Business School, is also the Chairman of Anglo’s Zimbabwean subsidiary, Unki Platinum, which resumed operations late last year.

Cause for celebration

As the interview continues, Ndlovu begins to admit that his status in business is something out of reach for an ordinary man. His rise from a boy born to a poor peasant family in dusty Shurugwi, Zimbabwe’s Midlands province, is real cause for celebration, a great inspiration to every Zimbabwean, and indeed most Africans.

“I enjoy being in business, making money for my shareholders, but I love more the fact that things that I do, such as the company’s social responsibility, make a difference in society,” he says.

“Platinum group metals have gone a long way to solve some of the society’s most intractable problems and being part of that makes me happy.”

Ndlovu gives credit to his poor parents, who kept him on the straight and narrow and believed in the last-born of the family of six.

“In poor families, more often than not, the hopes and aspirations for children is quite limited. But I was fortunate to be born to parents who found it within themselves to believe and hope that their son could do something much more than they had done themselves,” he says.

Simple faith

“I learnt that if you dream that you can be something else in life, if you literally see beyond the horizon of the naked eye, have simple faith and believe in your dreams – you can achieve great things.

“Each one of us was born with a gift to be the very best that we can be. I realized that and worked through it and always had the feeling that I should make better my today than my yesterday. I also sought and got God’s blessings on my side.”

Ndlovu has worked for Anglo-Platinum for most of his life, having had stints at ZimAlloys, Zimasco and Bindura Nickel Corporation, before migrating to South Africa in an intra-company transfer in 2001.

He served as Business Manager of Polokwane Smelter and also as its Head of Process Technology, before he rose to his present post in September 2007.

He still has high hopes for his home country. Unki’s operations are part of his grand plan to get Zimbabwe working again.

“It is pleasing to employ local people, contribute to local economy and exploit resources for the common good of the Zimbabwean people.”

And the best way for a child to lay the foundation for a decent future?

“Education, education, education,” emphasizes Ndlovu.

“I would like to advice the youth to take their education seriously because it is the only way through which they can open doors to opportunity. To be able to play the game, you need to first get the ticket and get in, and then you can start thinking about playing the game.”

Ndlovu also has advice for Zimbabweans in the Diaspora and great predictions for Zimbabwe’s economic prospects.

“Getting a chance of a breakthrough will always be difficult in a foreign land, but there are still vast opportunities opening up in Zimbabwe, which we should take advantage of,” he says.

“Instead of killing ourselves trying to find work in foreign lands, we should go back and leverage the skills we have acquired outside. Every Zimbabwean who has lived outside the country has learnt something valuable that they should consider giving back to their country. I have met teachers who have become nurses and engineers who have become managers of Zimbabweans in the Diaspora.

“Zimbabwe will reclaim its place as one of Africa’s best economies, but that will take willingness, determination and selflessness on the part of our leaders. Political divisions will not take us forward but only drag us down. We need to stand together as Zimbabwean people to make progress. Thank God we are not sinking any more.”

 

 

 

#BeInspired

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Interview conducted by external source

The Successful Zimbabwean Lawyer who went from Rags to Riches

                                           Florence Ziumbe


“When I look up into the sky, I not only admire the beauty of the Lord’s majesty, but I also yearn to reach for the stars and dwell among them and have the eagle’s view over all the earth. I want this for myself and for every woman out there who dares to dream and live in the reality of their dreams.” -Florence Ziumbe

Fifty-three years ago, in Nyazura, the Rwodzi family was blessed with a baby girl that they named Florence Erina. Today that girl, who dreamt big as she rinsed her face to run to school after a spell in the fields every morning, is living her dreams as Florence Ziumbe a successful corporate lawyer and Proweb president.

When I meet her, I am automatically drawn by the immense warmth and down-to-earthness that is characteristic of this high-achieving woman. There are no airs and graces to Ziumbe and she immediately reveals herself to me. “I am a rural girl. I grew up in the village, holding the plough behind a span of oxen. I cannot pretend to have some fancy tastes. I still love the rural food like nyimo (roundnuts) and sadza with offal.”

She finds the idea of having a favourite designer quite hilarious. “It took me time to be able to buy clothes with a clear conscience. I thought it was a dreadful waste of money so I made baby clothes and even my husband’s shirts on the sewing machine that my father bought me.” This is one girl who does not believe in retail therapy!

“I love this cheap jewellery and sometimes it just falls apart on me and my children think it’s a scream.” I cannot imagine this immaculately groomed executive whose spray of choice is “Pleasures” by Estee Lauder, frantically trying to clutch some plastic beads as they cascade down her clothes and scatter on the ground.

She may have rustic origins but, Ziumbe has adapted to the modern trends and is as much a slave to technology as the next person. “I just cannot be parted from my computer. I would never leave home without my laptop.” She admits and her music choice is quite eclectic. “When Michael Jackson died I felt very sad. He defined an age for my generation. I listen to classical music, you know Mozart, Beethoven. I also love Tuku.”

She has not allowed her background to limit her horizon. “I watch news, documentaries, the Discovery channels.” She lists her pastimes and also adds that she reads autobiographies and takes time to watch some reality shows like Dancing With the Stars with her kids. “But not stuff like Big Brother,” she hastens to add.

It is when I ask for just one reason why we should all celebrate womanhood that she totally blows me off. “A woman is God’s latest model. After God created Eve, he did not create anything else. With technology, there is always a need to upgrade a gadget or it becomes obsolete, but a woman remains the final product for all time.” She says tongue firmly in cheek and I burst out in laughter.

On a slightly morbid note, I ask her what she would like to have written on her epitaph and she takes a very short while to come back with another unique return. “I would like it to read: A person who had such great ideas and so little time.” Amazingly with all that she has achieved, she feels that there are still so many things that she would like to do if she had the chance.

Ziumbe is married and has two daughters and a son. “When I get home then I am a mother and a wife. That is what my family will be expecting and it would be unreasonable and unfair to make them put up with anything else.” That is how she manages to juggle her personal and her professional roles.

Ziumbe is a woman of passion. There is drive in everything she does. “I will be a lawyer until I die,” she states unequivocally then goes on to explain why she has changed fields in the practice of law. “I started out as a family lawyer. I would handle some high profile divorces but in almost all cases, the woman walked out of a mansion in Borrowdale with just her handbag after so many years in a marriage. I just could not take it anymore and I turned back to corporate law.” Ziumbe started out with Scanlen and Holderness before branching out into personal practice.

Ziumbe has sat on more than 40 boards including those of Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority  and Cottco and at one stage chaired the Financial Gazette board. Currently she sits on several boards including Redstar, Pelhams, Afribank and its holding company. She is the deputy chairperson of the state Procurement Board.

But of all her “career babies”, Proweb seems to be her emotional crowning achievement. It is through this networking organisation for women that she is expending much energy to ensure that as many women as possible get to dream and live those dreams. “It is my aim to see membership grow to 200 000,” is an earnest expression of her wish.

And her parting words just make me itch to get up and push myself beyond my perceived limitations immediately. “Failure is experience. I really do not know any reason why anyone cannot achieve what they set out to. Look at me. I came from a poor rural background but that has not dimmed any of my dreams.”

*Interview done by external source

' I would rather have God than money'...states one of the Richest men in Zimbabwe

                                             Delma Lupepe 


Today we feature Delma Lupepe, one of Zimbabwe's successful businessman who has helped create employment and sustain the livelihood of fellow Zimbabweans.

He is one of the richest men in Zimbabwe and “he has seen it all and done it all”, but the now repentant and God fearing Delma Lupepe, revealed that he would rather have God than money because at the end of the day, all his riches are vanity.

In an exclusive interview, Lupepe who is a devoted Seventh Day Adventist revealed that his money never brought him peace and a comfortable life until he accepted Jesus as his personal Savior.

“I have money, not that I am boasting, I am only stating a fact and through my money I have seen and done it all, there is nothing you can tell me about life. There is nothing that I have not done but I am not proud of it. I have been all over the world, stayed at the most expensive hotels, some of the suits I have cost me 30 000 to 40 000 Rand. I have driven almost every version of the Mercedes Benz and almost every car. Right now I have two Porsche models, a Boxster and a 911 which if I am not mistaken is the only one in Zimbabwe, but its all nothing and it does not give me joy.

Right now I have two Porsche models, a Boxster and a 911 which if I am not mistaken is the only one in Zimbabwe 

“And I have dated numerous beautiful women but I can tell you I never got any peace or satisfaction from that. I want people out there to know that all that glitters is not gold. It is better to live a humble and sinless life than to have riches that will lead you to death,” said Delma.


Lupepe, who is the owner of Maydeep Investments, which incorporates Merspin, Gloweave and Ascot Clothing Company, likened his life to that of the Biblical prodigal son who asked for his inheritance from his father and went away to a far-away country to squander it all.

“Just like the prodigal son, I was a youth with money and I used it wrongly. I was a slave to sin and like many youths of to day I believed that life was one big party but its more than that. So I am saddened by what the youth aspire to be. Frankly they should know that quality life is not in money, money does not bring any peace – peace comes from knowing God. All the other things are vanity, Solomon was one of the richest and best-dressed men but he admitted that the lilies on the ground were better than him.

“Don’t misunderstand me, God wants us to be prosperous and rich, he has plans for us, plans of prosperity not of harm. But we should know that riches come with responsibility, the prodigal son was irresponsible and I was irresponsible but I am glad that like him I found my senses.”

Delma believes that God gave him money not to buy cars and other worldly material but to use it as a vehicle to preach the gospel.

He said: “I used to hire a private jet from South Africa to come and pick me up for a shopping spree in Johannesburg. I had money but just like the prodigal son, my riotous spending meant I was eating with pigs. That was foolish, now that I am back in my father’s house. I use my money to spread the Advent message and to build churches. Not to buy worldly things, which are worthless at the end of the day.

He said: “I used to hire a private jet from South Africa to come and pick me up for a shopping spree in Johannesburg. 

“Whatever we do in life we must put God first. I thank God for knocking sense into my head before it was too late.”

Asked to reveal the event that led him to repent, Delma refused to divulge his life altering experience, but said: “I repented when I found myself in a situation that made me realise that God does exist.”

However, it is believed that one of the reasons why Delma sought God was an incident in which he escaped a kidnap and car-jacking attempt by a group of armed robbers in North End in 2002. He was also involved in a number of car accidents in which he believes that he was lucky to survive.

Delma added that God always had good plans for him that hinged on his repentance, revealing that one of the blessings he has received is his wife Abigail Lupepe who is a dentist.

“Some people are unfortunate that when they were wild, diseases such as AIDS and even death caught up with them. But God smiled on me even when I was still in the wilderness and he gave me a beautiful wife who I love dearly. A good wife comes from God and I encourage the youth to wait on the Lord and he will definitely send them the showers of blessings.”

He reiterated that God is always “looking for an excuse to do good things for us but we have to come back home for that to happen. If you want an education or employment it all belongs to you the secret is to accept God. And after accepting God you have to give him his tithe and offering. People think it’s a form of extortion but in reality it is a way of recognising that everything you get is from God. And if you are faithful with that he will look after you, at the end of the day tithe is only 10 percent of your earnings.”

Delma also took time to urge the youth to respect their parents and elders, unlike the prodigal son who disrespected his father by asking for his share of the inheritance before his father’s, because “failure to respect parents is a sign that you do not respect God.”

Lupepe is famous for his role in turning the Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League (PSL) into a semi-professional league. He introduced incentives for Amazulu Football Club players such as monthly salaries, medical aid, bonuses, training and camping allowances at a time when most clubs just paid winning allowances or salaries based on the number of games played per month.


#BeInspired














*All interviews conducted by external source

One of Zimbabwe's Most Important Women

                                            Lynn Mukonoweshuro

Lynn Mukonoweshuro is the Group CEO of King­dom Finan­cial Hold­ings Lim­ited (KFHL), as well as Chair­per­son of the Coun­cil of the Women’s Uni­ver­sity in Africa. She is one of Zimbabwe’s most impor­tant women. 

On the day we were to have our inter­view, there was a time mixup on our cal­en­dars so that I ended up arriv­ing at her office at 7am, instead of the 9am she had on her cal­en­dar. So because she had to be some­where by 7.30am, we could not have the inter­view then, and she felt so really bad, moreso because I had come extremely early and now I had to go and then come back again. At 7am, Lynn looked like she had been in the office for hours, not that she seemed tired or any­thing — to the con­trary, she looked serene and com­fort­able. The way you and I would look like round 11am. So nat­u­rally, when our meet­ing did finally com­mence, my first ques­tion (some­what incred­u­lously) was:

 Q: What time do you wake up and how long is your work­ing day?

“{smil­ing} My mother always said that ‘you shall sleep an unin­ter­rupted sleep’, so don’t waste your time on earth sleep­ing’. I wake up between 2-4am. That’s because it’s the time I reserve for prayer, to usher in the day. I’m here at work by 6.30am and home by 8am. But I always make sure I’m home for lunch.”

Q: So you are CEO of King­dom and Chair­per­son of the Coun­cil of the Women’s Uni­ver­sity. What else do you do? And as CEO, what exactly do you do?

 “A lot of work. {laughs} I’m actu­ally a ser­vant in this whole organ­i­sa­tion, which has five sub­sidiaries and branches in Botswana and Malawi. I also work with a lot of orphan­ages, I do strate­gies for churches and I’m on a num­ber of boards.”

Q: In an inter­view you had in 2010 with the Stan­dard, you said “work­ing for King­dom is a call­ing”, why is that?

“Work as if you work for God and not for man. The company’s vision is grounded in that verse, and so I work as if I work for God and not for man, and pay­ment for me is a sec­ondary mat­ter. That’s why I see my work as a call­ing because I work for God.”

Q: I under­stand you are the first female CEO of King­dom since incep­tion. How does that feel?

“I don’t see gen­der when I look at peo­ple, I see human beings, so it’s not a really big deal for me, because if you go through life look­ing at every­thing from the point of view that says because I am a woman, then you will be in trou­ble. Besides, King­dom has always been gen­der sen­si­tive, we have a num­ber of women in to posi­tions.  {sim­il­ing} I think Nigel’s mom[Nigel Chanakira is the founder of KFHL] raised him well.

Q: Before you came to King­dom, you worked at IBM Com­put­ers and Coca-Cola, please tell me about your expe­ri­ence there?

 “I enjoyed my time work­ing at those two com­pa­nies. I’ve always believed that one must get a note­wor­thy exo­e­ri­ence whilst young. In order to do so, you join a brand because of their vision, and you grow with the com­pany. This is why I’ve worked at the com­pa­nies I’ve worked for before and now I’m here at King­dom and I enjoy work­ing here every step of the way and I’ve grown a lot since I’ve  come here.”

Q: I read that you are mar­ried and have three chil­dren, how do you jug­gle being a mom, wife and busi­ness woman?

 ”{instantly she becomes excited, stands up and shows me a pic­ture of her and her fam­ily on the wall, point­ing out the indi­vid­ual mem­bers} My eldest son is 24 — he’s just fin­ished uni­ver­sity, the 2nd is doing his A’s, and the 3rd wants to be a doc­tor. She started her own soup kitchen with her friends when she was only in Grade six, now she’s in form two and she says to me one day when we had gone to a hos­pi­tal ‘mommy I want my own hos­pi­tal just like this one, and the poor won’t have to pay’, and i think to myself oh my. My fam­ily and I have so much fun and my hus­band is ever so sup­port­ive. I have a diary I keep where every­one knows they have  to log on the day they want my time, if you don’t log on when you want me, then you can’t com­plain when I can’t make it to wher­ever you want me. We do work some­times as a fam­ily, do char­ity work together for instance, I am so blessed to have a fam­ily like mine.” {you can tell she is very proud of her fam­ily as she says this  }

Q: Grow­ing up, did you ever envi­sion your­self being where you are today?

 ”{laughs} I always thought I’d be a pilot, or if I didn’t end up a pilot I wanted to end up in the Sci­ences field. When I got to the U.Z how­ever, most Sci­ences lec­tur­ers had gone to the U.K, and so I was forced to get into Business.”

Q: Speak­ing of, where did you grow up, and which schools did you go to?

 “I grew up here in Harare and I went to Nharirire Pri­mary School in Mbare” [with eyes wide open I’m like “really” because Mbare is one of the old­est Zim­bab­wean high den­sity sub­urbs, and it is shock­ing that she went to school there because look­ing at her you could never guess] {she ofcourse, laughs, because she knows what I’m think­ing} 

Q: And your fam­ily, tell me about them

 “My fam­ily was very small and close, two boys and myself, I am the last, the mid­dle boy passed on. I was never spoilt, regard­less of the fact that I was the last born, you see, moms then were dif­fer­ernt from moms now. And my father would treat my broth­ers and I equally, there was no gen­der differentiation.”

Q: What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

“{smiles} I cre­ate spare time. I enjoy inte­rior decor and cook­ing, I love exper­i­ment­ing. So it’s very nor­mal to find me revamp­ing a room, it’s not as often as I’d like though. I’m also a very spir­i­tual per­son and a great believer, so I cre­ate time just for me and my Creator.”

Q: So I want to know your favourite things: what’s your favourite food?

 “Peanut but­ter in anything.”

Q: Favourite country?

 “Switzer­land — it’s so clean, it gives you hope that peo­ple some­where can be clean.”

Q: Favourite music?

 “I love Hill­song, and I’m into clas­sic music so my other fav is Bethoven.

Q: To close our inter­view what would you want to say to those young women who look upto you, admire you and aspire to be like you?

 “Be very focused, know what you want to do, let noth­ing come between what you want to do. Take it step at a time. But always be responsible.”

#BeInspired

NOTE: INTERVIEWS CONDUCTED BY EXTERNAL SOURCE