Online Reporter
Fungai Lupande
Mashonaland Central Bureau
FROM the muddy banks of a Shamva river, where he once panned for gold with his bare hands, Mr Tichaona Muzanenhamo has transformed into one of Zimbabwe’s most inspiring examples of empowerment in action.
At just 16, he was an artisanal miner, scraping a living from the soil.
Today, he owns a US$400 000 gold milling plant in Shamva, employing dozens and transforming his community, a remarkable journey made possible through President Mnangagwa’s empowerment programme.
Supported by Fidelity Gold Refinery under the President’s initiative, Mr Muzanenhamo established his milling plant and connected it to the grid through a seven-kilometre electricity line from Chirimanyanga, turning what was once a dream into a thriving enterprise.
“The collateral and repayment conditions were relaxed to allow us to grow,” he told The Herald.
“Through this support, I managed to establish a seven-kilometre electricity line from Chirimanyanga area.”
From gold panner to employer
Having started his mining journey in 1989, Mr Muzanenhamo now runs Chin Mining Claims in Mt Darwin South, producing around half a kilogramme of gold every month through mining and leaching operations.
His business employs 32 young people directly and supports more than 300 artisanal miners through downstream activities.
Yet, he insists his greatest achievement is not his wealth — but the difference he makes in people’s lives.
“I was empowered through President Mnangagwa’s programme, and the only way I can say ‘thank you’ is by uplifting my community,” he said.
Building a community, one project at a time
Today, Mr Muzanenhamo is not only a successful businessman but also a respected community leader and Secretary for Mines in the ZANU PF District Coordinating Committee.
He uses his position to promote youth empowerment and social development.
His contributions span education, infrastructure, health, and social welfare — funding school projects, paying medical bills for the elderly, supporting orphans, and helping women start savings and lending clubs.
“I’m passionate about education because it is the foundation for development,” he explained.
“No one will build Zimbabwe for us — we must do it ourselves, as the President says.”
Education at the heart of empowerment
At Batsiranai Primary School, Mr Muzanenhamo helped build a new administration block to replace the teachers’ house that had been used as an office.
“We had no budget for the office, and this new facility has greatly improved our learning environment,” said school head Mr Langston Musarira.
“We thank President Mnangagwa for nurturing people with this mindset as we pursue Vision 2030.”
At Shamva LDV Primary School, deputy head Mrs Angeline Chiseko said Mr Muzanenhamo supplied building materials for two classroom blocks.
“We started working with him in 2023, a year after President Mnangagwa commissioned our school,” she said.
“With his help and devolution funds, we will soon end hot-sitting for our 750 pupils.”
Touching lives beyond the classroom
His community spirit extends far beyond education.
At the Salvation Army Church in Shamva, he drilled a borehole that now provides clean water for both congregants and residents.
“It was not easy queuing for water as a pastor,” said Major Stephen Mavakise.
Some community members wanted me to jump the queue because I’m a pastor, but others insisted I wait like everyone else.
“Now, with the borehole, we even plan to install taps outside so the community can also benefit.”
At Wadzanayi Bus Terminus, travellers and vendors now use a clean public toilet built by Mr Muzanenhamo.
Widow Ms Masiiwa Wanyanya, a vegetable vendor, described him as a “father figure.”
“He doesn’t just help me, he helps many people here,” she said.
“Even artisanal miners turn to him for assistance during hard times. He is our pillar.”
A proud beneficiary of the land reform programme, Mr Muzanenhamo also runs a 20-hectare farm in Shamva.
His guiding philosophy is rooted in President Mnangagwa’s mantra, “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo” — a country is built by its own people.
“We are raising a self-reliant generation,” he said. “That’s what has sustained us even under illegal sanctions.”
He also champions discipline among youth, maintaining a zero-tolerance policy for drug abuse and promoting sports and community projects to encourage positive lifestyles.
“ZANU PF gave me a chance to become who I am today,” he said.
“Now it’s my turn to give back and inspire others to believe in empowerment.”
For many, through his work, Mr Muzanenhamo embodies the spirit of Zimbabwe’s empowerment vision — a story of grit, gratitude and giving back, proving that with opportunity and hard work, ordinary people can transform not only their own lives but also their communities.
