Online Reporter
Herald Reporter
As Government works towards getting the country back to being the “breadbasket of Africa,” Mr Samson Gondwe of Zvishavane 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 to look 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 Agriculture, and I managed to get almost 100 hectares at Cheshire Estate subdivision 19,” said Mr Gondwe, popularly known as ‘Sam Dread’ in Zvishavane.
Mr Gondwe is now rearing cattle, goats, pigs and poultry, while also producing maize, millet and tobacco, etcetera.
“I was inspired to get into farming by a war veteran, Cde Masunungure, who was rearing pigs. After I got the land, Cde Masunungure gave me some piglets. I am now supplying pork to butcheries around Zvishavane.
“I thank President Mnangagwa and the Government for allowing blacks to own land. Now we are producing for the country.”
Mr Gondwe’s urged the Government to intervene and solve the mining claims ownership wrangles, which are affecting most small-scale miners.
He employs 10 workers at his farming venture.
