adminNduduzo Tshuma Political Editor
AT 33, Leonard Ndlovu is a successful miner employing 60 people at his mine in Filabusi, Insiza District of Matabeleland South. Ndlovu said he will never leave Zimbabwe because there is no country that would allow him to utilise the land and exploit natural resources like the motherland.
Besides the mine, Ndlovu owns a bar in Mawabeni where he employs an additional five people.
He says he would never leave the country “because mining is my life, all I want now is to get a piece of land for farming.”
Ndlovu, a product of empowerment policies implemented in independent Zimbabwe, is grateful to the government for giving him land where he established two mines trading as Super B Riches.
“We thank the government for empowering us with land for mining,” said Ndlovu who has been in the business for more than 10 years.
“After establishing my mines, I had problems drawing both electricity and water to my premises and I had to engage government officials to assist me. Now my operations are running smoothly and business is quite good.
“Many small scale miners have passed through my hands. I think I have helped more than 100 people ever since I started mining.”
Ndlovu feels that the government should involve them in the assistance that is given to mining co-operatives so that the State benefits more from the country’s natural resources.
“Some of these consortiums have no idea on what mining is all about but they’re given claims and licences.
“What we’re calling for the government to do is involve us also so that we assist those consortiums.
“At the end of the day, the government would receive more gold from the miners and boost the economy,” he said.
Ndlovu sad there is no other place he can imagine living in besides Zimbabwe.
“Some may leave the country maybe because they have other expertise they could use.
“As for me, no country besides Zimbabwe can allow me to own mines. No country would give a foreigner like me land to exploit natural resources so this is the best place for me,” he said.
“Mining is all my life. It’s what I know and want to do. What is left is to get a farm and start agriculture. Like I said before, no other country can give you land for both mining and agriculture.
“I will start looking for land also because I have a passion for agriculture and cattle ranching. So I’ve no reason to travel to the United Kingdom, I will stay here and live off the land.”
Online Reporter