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Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S diamond producers have earned the respect of global players in the industry, amid a fresh strategy by the country’s leading producer — the Zimbabwe Consolidated Mining Company (ZCDC) — to partner the local business community in Manicaland, ZCDC chief executive, Mr Mark Mabhudhu has said.
Speaking during the Mutare Premiership football side, Manica Diamonds FC’s kit unveiling ceremony last Thursday in Mutare, Mr Mabhudhu said the choice by global players in the diamond industry to place Zimbabwe in leading positions, both in the Kimberly Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) and the African Diamond Producers Association (ADPA), is ample evidence of the confidence that local diamond producers have gained among their international peers.
“This year, we are currently holding the most important portfolios in the diamond industry, both on the African continent and in the global diamond industry.
“On the African continent, we are the vice-chair country for what is called the African Diamond Producers Association and next year we will assume the chairmanship. This is Zimbabwe!
“And this is all because of what we are doing as ZCDC. By the way, we are the country’s largest diamond producers. We are also the vice-chair of the Kimberly Process Certification Scheme (KPCS).
“This scheme is the global body that comprises governments, industries and civic societies. What it says is that we as a country has been endorsed in managing this business of diamond mining. So what we do is not just good, but the best practice.
“When we chair the KPCS, it means everybody who has anything to do with diamonds will be here in Zimbabwe next year to listen to us on what we are doing as a business. This is fantastic! We are proud to have brought the entire global diamond industry to Zimbabwe, and proudly so to Manicaland and Mutare in particular,” said Mr Mabhudhu.
Mr Mabhudhu’s sentiments come hard on the heels of Zimbabwe’s commendation for embracing the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) Standard by the KPCS, a development which has witnessed a significant reduction of reports of violence and other forms of social ills in the Marange diamond fields.
The submission was made by the Kimberley Process Civil Society Coalition (KPCSC) coordinator, Mr Shamiso Mtisi, during the official opening of the KP Plenary in Moscow, Russia, in November last year.
The ZCDC boss said the election to the key global positions is a source of pride for the country.
“So we need to walk with our shoulders high because this has not happened to many countries. The largest consumer share is in America, running around 60 to 70 percent, but they do not have the mines we have.
“The endorsement by many countries in Europe and Japan for Zimbabwe to become the chair of KPCS speaks volumes about what we are doing. The KPCS is a branding exercise we are undertaking,” he said.
Mr Mabhudhu said ZCDC is aiming at becoming a world class diamond producer.
“As a business, we have a vision and that vision is what you have seen written on our banners – to be a world class producer of diamonds. This is in line with the country’s vision to be a middle class economy by 2030. This organisation was formed to unlock the diamond potential that exists in this country and make Zimbabwe great.
“This will ensure that people’s quality of life improves. The decisions we make are consistent with our vision and values. As ZCDC, we have made quite some impact in terms of local production and the global diamond industry,” he said.
Mr Mabhudhu said ZCDC has laid out a new strategy to improve its partnership with the local business community in Manicaland.
“The communities where we do our business matter so dearly to us. We have a long term strategic plan to make sure that this community benefits from our operations.
“I assure you that we will support local businesses so much so that you will feel the impact of what we are doing. This is a new direction we are taking. We have agreed with the principals, so be ready to support us.
“Our new focus is to make sure that we make an impact in the communities whose lives we touch. A few years ago, the company had many challenges, but we have gone past that, so we are confident that we can now stand up and say diamonds are now contributing to the development of this country. We thank the Manicaland community for supporting us,” he said.
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