Online Reporter
Herald Reporter
IT is not always easy to get what you want on a silver platter, but Mr Samson Gondwe from Zvishavane is not only talking about the Government’s vision of getting the country back to being the “basket of Africa,” but he is also walking the talk.
Mr Gondwe, a well-known gold dealer in Zvishavane, acquired his mining claim around 2012 and started operating Beara Milling Company.
The 51-year-old miner then decided to diversify his portfolio and applied for a piece of land in 2019.
“After many years of going underground looking for the precious stone, I decided to venture into farming, but I did not have land. So, I applied through the Ministry of Lands, and I managed to get almost 100 hectares at Cheshire Estate subdivision 19,” said Mr Gondwe, popularly known as ‘Sam Dread’ around Zvishavane.
Mr Gondwe is now practicing both livestock and crop farming. He is involved in cattle, goats, pigs, chickens, ducks, and tortoise rearing, as well as growing maize, millet, fruits, tobacco, and other traditional crops. “I was inspired to get into farming by a war veteran named Cde Masunungure who was rearing pigs. After I got the land, he gave me some piglets when I started. I have managed to grow my farm and now supply pork to butcheries around Zvishavane.
“I want to thank President Mnangagwa and the Government for allowing small-scale miners to own some mining claims and also for allowing us blacks to own land. Now we are producing for the country.”
Mr Gondwe employs 60 people in his mining business and almost 10 workers at his farming venture, creating employment for the local community.
