Online Reporter
Fairness Moyana recently in Kamativi
NO one could have imagined that a simple act of kindness would rewrite the story of a life. When Kamativi Mining Company (KMC) opened its doors to the community in July for free medical outreach clinics, it was seen as a gesture of goodwill. For one woman, it became a lifeline.
For Ms Caroline Zulu (32), a mother of two from Kamativi in Hwange District, the outreach marked the end of a long and painful chapter — a chapter filled with fear, uncertainty and relentless suffering. For months, she had battled a stomach tumour that grew worse with each passing day, stealing her strength and her dignity. Everyday life became a struggle, and the emotional toll on her young family was crushing. With no access to specialised healthcare and no means to afford advanced medical tests, her condition slowly edged towards the unthinkable.
“I was living with pain every day. There were moments when I feared I would not live to see my children grow, and I had almost accepted that this was my fate,” she said.
That fate changed on 25 July. Ms Zulu attended a free medical check-up conducted by a Chinese medical team hosted by KMC as part of its corporate social responsibility programme. The outreach, held at Kamativi Community Hall, reached more than 400 people — mine employees, schoolchildren, the elderly and vulnerable community members, many of whom had not seen a qualified doctor in years.
The Chinese medical team, officially stationed at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Harare, comprised 10 highly qualified specialists drawn from more than 10 disciplines, including surgery, internal medicine, paediatrics, gynaecology and traditional Chinese medicine. With support from KMC and partners such as Rarlon Mining Company, the team conducted consultations, ultrasound scans, ECG tests, distributed medication and even performed minor surgical procedures on site.
It was during this outreach that doctors flagged Ms Zulu’s condition as urgent.
“KMC acted immediately when the doctors told me my situation was serious. They treated me like family,” she recalled.
Recognising the gravity of her illness, KMC arranged for Ms Zulu to undergo further medical tests in Victoria Falls, covering transport costs and medical bills while ensuring she was accompanied throughout the process. Initial examinations revealed the need for a CT scan, which was later conducted in Bulawayo — again with KMC guaranteeing all logistics, payments and personal support.
The scan confirmed doctors’ fears: Ms Zulu required specialised surgery. KMC then facilitated consultations and appointments with a specialist surgeon in Harare, co-ordinating treatment, covering costs and outlining follow-up procedures to ensure nothing stood in the way of her recovery.
In total, the company spent about US$5 000 on her medical bills, transport and related necessities.
Today, Ms Zulu is on the road to recovery and speaks with renewed hope.
“This operation gave me my life back. I can laugh again. I can dream again. Most importantly, I can be a mother again. KMC did not just help me heal — they gave my children their mother back,” she said.
Ward 11 councillor Joshua Tshuma hailed the initiative, describing it as an investment in human capital, while Chief Nekatambe commended KMC for bringing quality healthcare to a community that has long struggled with access to medical services.
KMC Chief Operating Officer Mr Turkey Liang said the company remains committed to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles.
“To KMC, mining is not simply about extracting resources; it is about nurturing long-term sustainability and shared prosperity in the communities where we operate. We are proud that our presence is changing lives and we will continue bringing these vital healthcare services to the community,” he said.
Mr Liang said KMC’s ESG framework prioritises environmental protection, social welfare, ethical governance and sustainable community engagement. He explained that the company conducts regular environmental assessments and community clean-ups, supports tree-planting campaigns, promotes waste management and resource conservation, and ensures compliance with national environmental and labour standards.
The company has injected millions of dollars into community development, funding infrastructure upgrades such as roads, electricity and water supply, as well as social services that benefit families across the region.
In recognition of these efforts, KMC clinched a Responsible Mining and Social Impact Award at the 2024 Matabeleland Province ESG and CSR Awards, acknowledging its balanced contribution to economic growth and community development.
The mine, which reopened in 2023 as a joint venture focused on lithium exploration and processing, has revived the once-dormant Kamativi Mine, creating employment for hundreds and restoring hope to a community that had been economically sidelined since the mine’s closure in 1994 following a collapse in global tin prices.
