Online Reporter
Judith Phiri, [email protected]
REGIONAL training and participation programmes are equipping Zimbabweans with critical skills and expertise, strengthening local industries and supporting broader economic growth through value addition, innovation and entrepreneurship.
The development aligns with President Mnangagwa’s philosophy of “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo/Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo” (a country is built by its own people), which promotes patriotism, self-reliance and national development.
Nineteen women from the Women in Gemstone Association of Zimbabwe (WIGAZ) and four young lapidarists from the Young Miners Foundation (YMF) are currently undergoing a specialised five-week Gemstone Cutting and Processing training programme at the Gemstone Processing and Lapidary Training Centre (GPLTC) in Ndola, Zambia. The programme is being sponsored by the
Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ).
YMF Gemstone and Lapidary Unit resource person and Ruzhowa Lapidary Resources director, Miss Aminah Ndlovu (22), said participants intended to use the skills acquired to advance gemstone value addition and beneficiation in Zimbabwe.
“The training is for five weeks and it covers both theory as well as practical skills. Key areas include gemology, gem identification, cabochon and tumbling, faceting, bead making, pre-forming, calibration, cutting and polishing.
“We are also being trained on how to use equipment such as faceting machines, trim saws, polishing laps and basic gemological tools. The focus is to equip us with full skills to add value to rough gemstones locally,” she said.
Prior to the current programme, Miss Ndlovu attended a Gemstone Cutting and Polishing Training course at the Zimbabwe School of Mines (ZSM) in December 2025, which was also sponsored by MMCZ.
She said the training led to the establishment of four lapidary companies, including Ruzhowa Lapidary Resources, where she serves as one of the directors.
Miss Ndlovu added: “The training here in Zambia has taught us a lot about gemstone identification and now that I know how to differentiate between raw stones and baked stones, I have practical skills to add value to gemstones myself. When I come back to Zimbabwe, I plan to share the knowledge with other young miners in the gemstone industry and also with some of the directors at Ruzhowa Lapidary Resources.”
She said she would work with other young people and women to help them add value to minerals while creating employment opportunities.
Miss Princess Monyoro, who is also attending the training, said her experience at the Gemstone Processing and Lapidary Training Centre in Ndola had exposed her to various stages involved in transforming raw gemstones into market-ready products.
“The training has focused mostly on the skills that we can apply, the machinery that we need to process gemstones and how we can turn a raw gemstone that just looks like a mere stone into a marketable product that we can sell in Zimbabwe,” she said.
“This aligns with Zimbabwe’s focus on local mineral value addition and beneficiation which prohibits our raw minerals to be exported as they are. This will assist as young miners to venture into the lapidary industry as we create new companies and job opportunities.”
Another participant, lapidarist Mr Takudzwa Katembo, said Zimbabwe possessed some of the highest-quality gemstones in the region owing to its climatic conditions.
“When its summer, it is very hot and when its winter, it is very cold. So, that also helps in the formation of the best gemstones that you can come across in the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
We are happy to be here where we are getting enough and adequate time of operating latest machinery being used in gemology and for gemstones. When we come back to Zimbabwe, we now have the expertise to identify fake stones and genuine ones,” he said.
“We now know how to make a lot of byproducts. They can be bracelets, necklaces and ornaments for wearing. This aligns with the Second Republic drive for value addition and beneficiation.”
He said the skills gained would enable participants to generate income through the production and sale of finished products such as necklaces, pendants and other jewellery for both local and international markets, contributing to the country’s gross domestic product.
Meanwhile, two Zimbabwean leather designers are making their mark on the continental stage after securing places among the top 15 finalists in the Real Leather Stay Different (RLSD) Africa Talent Showcase 2026.
The finalists, Ms Nompumelelo Marilyn Samambgwa and Mr Owen Taruvinga, are representing Zimbabwe at one of Africa’s premier design competitions, which celebrates sustainable leather design, innovation, craftsmanship and responsible production in Nairobi, Kenya.
For Ms Samambgwa, the achievement marks a return to the RLSD stage after taking a break from last year’s competition.
Her latest accolade builds on an impressive RLSD record that has already earned her continental recognition.
She won the People’s Choice Award in 2023, was crowned Footwear Category Winner at RLSD Africa 2024 and has now returned as one of Africa’s Top 15 Finalists in 2026, underscoring her consistency, creativity and leadership in leather design.
Her latest collection, “Tethered Earth by Bu Kalanga”, combines locally sourced Zimbabwean leather, reclaimed walnut wood and intricate leather macramé to create luxury footwear that blends structural innovation with sustainability.
“The collection demonstrates how locally sourced materials and traditional craftsmanship can produce contemporary products capable of competing on the global stage,” said the organisers, the Centre for Business Innovation and Training.
Joining her is Mr Taruvinga, whose concept, “Vandura Heritage Boot”, draws inspiration from the Shona philosophy of transformation.
By repurposing discarded tyres and leather offcuts into durable heritage footwear, he showcases the potential of circular design while celebrating Zimbabwe’s cultural heritage through the iconic Great Zimbabwe chevron motif.
“His concept demonstrates that sustainability, innovation, and timeless craftsmanship can coexist to create products built for both the African landscape and international markets,” added the organisers.
Providing an update on the competition, Mr Taruvinga said the contest had entered its second phase as the Zimbabwean finalists continued to compete for top honours.
“We have done the prototypes and the final judging to get the Footwear category winner and the Most Commendable Designer which is an overall award is currently running. The overall winner will represent Africa in Bangkok that is in October,” he said.
