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Fungai Lupande Mashonaland Central Bureau
For their integrity, and work ethics, women have been entrusted with picking and caring for diamonds at Chiadzwa mine.
Diamond picking is one of the high-grade and well-paid jobs at Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC).
Although women at ZCDC occupy only 13 percent of the 1133 workforce, the company prioritises the promotion of women to lure more into the industry.
Precious Tenderere was employed in 2017 as a casual worker, whose main duties were to cook and clean.
As promotions were availed in the company, Tenderere applied and joined the DMS operation at the mine plant.
“I started working as a DMS assistant and I was promoted again to become a diamond picker. Our duties include separating diamonds from non-diamonds, analysis and housekeeping,” she said.
“Temptations may come but it’s rare for women to entertain the thought of stealing. We know the burden of caring for families, and how the job changed our lives.
“I am very grateful this opportunity has changed my lifestyle. I am a mother of one and no longer depend on anyone financially. I am now able to help with the welfare of my family.”
Another woman, Jestina Machigomora from Makotamo village in Chiyadzwa started work in 2016.
She is among the local people who are prioritised in job opportunities at ZCDC.
“As local women, getting employment opportunities transformed our lives. We are now contributing to the household economy. The company is also supporting projects in the community including livestock production and horticulture. They also buy from local producers and this has helped us.”
Their supervisor Virginia Ngwenya started work in 2016 as a picker.
“The work included picking processed diamonds from the plant. Later I was promoted to supervisor. I came here after struggling to secure a job,” she said.
“I worked hard and I was appreciated leading to the promotion. This transformed my life and that of my family. My life is going on well because women are supported here.”
She said more women have been promoted in her department compared to men.
“In the picking department, women interact with the diamonds the whole day. They analyse the diamonds and separate the gems, near gems and industrial diamonds,” she said.
“After this process, we keep them in a safe place and weigh them every day. This means that everyday women interact with the diamonds without recording cases of theft.”
Vimbai Zingwe, a mine surveyor started work in 2018.
A geoinformatics and survey engineering graduate from the University of Zimbabwe.
“My department only has two women and this was the same case even at university. I encourage girls to take up these programmes, although it sounds difficult it is attainable,” she said.
“ZCDC is supporting women and in every recruitment, they reserve slots for women. In our department, we provide services of mapping and positioning to all departments in the value chain.”
The Human Resources business partner welfare Mrs Plaxedes Chikondo said the company encourages women to apply for all positions.
Qualified women are given first preference in line with the national strategy of women empowerment, she said.
“The 13 percent may look like a small number but most of the women are from the local community. I encourage women to take up the challenge and occupy these positions.
“It is rare for women to connive to steal and this is why they are trusted with diamonds. Women are trustworthy and thorough. We also see women driving dump trucks but picking is one of the high positions that need trustworthy people.”
Online Reporter