Online Reporter
Theseus Shambare, Features Writer
THE silver bodies of tilapia shimmered in the nets, a stark contrast to the darkness that once threatened to engulf Chantelle Mabande’s young life.
“Being a single mother is not a joke,” begins the quiet but resolute voice of Chantelle (19), a young woman whose life story is a testament of resilience.
“Worse still when you are sexually abused and abandoned,” she continued.
For Chantelle, an orphan living in the shadow of Acturas Mine in Goromonzi, these words are not mere sentiments; they are the unembellished realities she has navigated since being left alone and pregnant, at the tender age of 16.
“After having been sexually abused, I fought through the pregnancy journey with no companion or anyone to share the experience with,” she said in an interview last week, the loneliness still palpable in the tone of her voice.
“I tried menial jobs. Life was hard,” she said.
In the dusty lanes surrounding the mine, where opportunity was as scarce as clean water, survival often meant succumbing to the predatory whispers of older women.
“They told me it was the only way to eat,” Chantelle recalled, her voice barely audible above the distant rumble of mining trucks.
Sex work is a path many young, vulnerable women in the Acturas mining community were forced to tread, a consequence of poverty and a lack of viable alternatives.
Patricia Saulos (24) shares a similar harrowing past, her experience a stark illustration of the vulnerability prevalent in such environments.
“Since the age of 13,” she said, her eyes reflecting a pain that belies her youth, “I would sleep with between eight and 10 men per night just to have a meal.”
Their experiences, tragically, are not unique within this community and beyond.
A 2023 report titled, “Commercial sexual exploitation of children in Zimbabwe: A threat to human and social development”, sheds light on the broader crisis.
The study discusses the rising cases of commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) in Zimbabwe, where children, especially girls, are being forced into sex work due to socio-economic factors, abuse and the influence of social media.
It highlights the severe consequences, including physical and mental health issues, STIs and HIV.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police revealed that more than a hundred girls are sexually exploited daily in the country (Nyamanhindi, 2015),” the report reads.
“Further reports indicate that about 22 women are raped daily in the country, the majority of whom are girls under the age of 18 (International Commission of Jurists, n.d.).”
These statistics underscore the urgent need for interventions to protect vulnerable young women.
However, a beacon of hope has pierced through the darkness, a lifeline extended through the collaborative efforts of the Government and Unlimited Hope Alliance.
“When I came to this place, I was touched by these young girls, some as young as 14 years who had dropped out of school and got pregnant,” said Mrs Marry Chigumira, the Director of Unlimited Hope Alliance.
“We knew we had to do something.”
This “something” has manifested in tangible projects, including horticulture and most notably, aquaculture.
A recent visit to Acturas in Goromonzi during a vibrant fish harvesting event offered a powerful testament to this transformation.
The air buzzed with a quiet sense of triumph as women, their hands now calloused from honest labour, hauled nets heavy with silver tilapia from the ponds.
For Chantelle, the sight was nothing short of a miracle.
“I would like to thank the Government for this programme which came at a time I was really in need,” she exclaimed, her voice laced with emotion.
“As an orphan, I was desperate and started doing sex work. This project . . . it is a god-send.”
This initiative, spearheaded by the Fisheries and Aquaculture Resources Department (FARD), aims to uplift marginalised communities through the power of aquaculture, providing a sustainable alternative to the precariousness of sex work.
At the heart of this transformation is the collective known as Pamodzi Fisheries and Fresh Produce — a group of 10 determined young women.
“It is a privilege and great honour to stand before you today as we witness the fruits of dedication, learning and collaboration,” declared Mr Milton Makumbe, FARD director, at the jubilant harvest event.
“This theme, ‘Harnessing the Fruits of the Presidential Community Fisheries Scheme,’ truly celebrates your transformative journey,” he said.
Mr Makumbe acknowledged the arduous paths many of these women had traversed.
“Among us are women who were once engaged in sex work and some who are teenage mothers,” he said.
“Their stories are not defined by their past, but by their courage to rewrite the narrative of their lives.”
He emphasised the empowering nature of aquaculture for them.
“By embracing aquaculture, you have found not only a means of livelihood but a transformative tool to reclaim your futures and uplift your communities,” said Mr Makumbe.
The journey towards this success began with crucial support from FARD.
“We collaborated with the group in October 2024, refurbishing their fish ponds and stocking them with 2 000 fingerlings,” Mr Makumbe explained.
This practical assistance was coupled with essential knowledge transfer.
“Their success is rooted in knowledge. Through this hands-on training at the Henderson Fisheries Unit, they learned practical skills, from meticulous pond preparation and consistent feeding routines to effective pond management,” said Mr Makumbe.
He acknowledged the collaborative effort behind the initiative.
“I must express my gratitude to our various partners who contributed to the project’s success.”
The harvest itself was a moment of collective triumph.
Together, the women hauled in over 200 kilogrammes of tilapia.
“It was hard work, but look what we achieved!” said Patricia, a wide smile finally gracing her face, a glaring contrast to the pain that once shadowed her eyes.
The fruits of their labour found an immediate market within the Acturas mining community.
Each kilogramme was sold for US$4, with plans to reinvest the proceeds into the project, ensuring its longevity and expansion.
“The community was waiting for our fish,” Chantelle said with a newfound sense of pride, her gaze steady and confident.
“We sold everything quickly.”
The potential for sustained growth received a significant boost from TN Holdings group which is operating the mine.
“Witnessing the incredible resilience and hard work of these young women, TN Gold, operating here in Acturas, is committed to supporting their journey towards sustainability,” said Dr Lovejoy Chabata, the group’s public relations executive.
“We will be providing financial assistance to ensure this project continues to thrive and empowers even more young women in the community.”
As the world celebrates Mother’s Day, the achievements of these women in Goromonzi are profoundly significant.
Their journey from vulnerability to empowerment embodies the very essence of maternal strength and the unwavering desire to create a better future, not just for themselves but for their children.
In Acturas, these former sex workers and teenage mothers are not just surviving; they are cultivating hope, their lives a powerful testament to the transformative power of opportunity and the enduring strength of the human spirit.
As Chantelle looks at the bustling activity around the ponds, a quiet determination fills her voice.
“This is just the beginning for us,” she said, her gaze fixed on the shimmering water, reflecting a future brimming with possibility, a future where her past no longer dictates her destiny.
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