SHURUGWI – In a bold and transformative step aligning with Zimbabwe’s vision for rural industrialisation and inclusive development, a woman-led mining enterprise, Tebekwe Mine, operating under Mutovu Investments, is rewriting the story of community empowerment in Shurugwi. Spearheaded by Dr Smelly Dube, the company has availed two hectares of its mining claims to over 200 local syndicates, igniting a wave of socio-economic progress, particularly among women and youth.
The initiative, described by many as a pioneering model of people-centred mining, is drawing widespread commendation for not only generating direct employment but also redistributing mining wealth back into the community. Traditional leaders have expressed profound appreciation, with Chief Nhema underscoring the rare commitment shown by Tebekwe Mine compared to other major companies profiting from local resources. “This company is indeed exceptional. Our children are being empowered here. Yet multimillion-dollar entities around us have done nothing close to this. We urge others to emulate this noble gesture,” he remarked.
What sets the Tebekwe model apart is its commitment to real empowerment — not as corporate social responsibility, but as core business ethos. Beneficiaries, many of them women and youth, now work freely on allocated shafts, extracting gold and transforming their own lives without having to pay for access. One woman, a widow, shared how the opportunity has changed her social status and enabled her to pay school fees and develop her home. For the youth, the initiative has become a lifeline. “We now wake up with purpose. I’ve improved my life significantly. It’s not just mining; it’s dignity,” said a young beneficiary.
This deeply inclusive approach resonates with the aspirations of Zimbabwe’s economic policy, which under President Emmerson Mnangagwa places strong emphasis on devolving economic activity, particularly through rural industrialisation. Dr Smelly Dube’s leadership stands as a testimony to what happens when government policy is matched by private-sector willpower. “We are currently using old hammer mills but hope to acquire new equipment to scale up production. This will not only benefit us but the national economy too,” she said, noting their gratitude to the government for creating space for women in mining.
The impact extends beyond anecdotal successes. Mutovu Investments employs over 150 workers directly and currently delivers an average of five kilogrammes of gold to Fidelity Printers and Refiners monthly — a figure projected to rise to seven kilogrammes once expansion is complete. But the mine’s real gold lies in its people: empowered, motivated and now active agents in the country’s economic matrix.
This remarkable model recently attracted the attention of a joint Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mines and Mining Development and the Committee on Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development. Following a tour of the site, the lawmakers praised the mine for breaking barriers and setting a new standard in corporate social integration. Senator Anna Shiri, Chairperson of the Women Affairs Committee, noted, “What we have witnessed here is exactly what the President envisions. Women, youth, and persons with disabilities have all been given a chance to thrive. This is what inclusive development must look like.”
In a sector often criticised for elite capture, exclusion and environmental degradation, Tebekwe Mine is charting a new path — one where gold mining uplifts communities, empowers the marginalised, and builds a shared national future. With its grassroots impact, policy alignment and female leadership, it has not only struck gold beneath the soil but also unearthed a blueprint for ethical and inclusive resource extraction.
Youth Innovation Takes Centre Stage as 18 Win Seed Funding at POTRAZ 2025 Ideathon in Masvingo
MASVINGO – The 2025 edition of the Innovation Drive Ideathon, hosted by the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ), concluded on a high note in Masvingo, with 18 out of 30 young innovators winning seed funding to scale up their tech-based solutions aimed at tackling national development challenges.
Held over five days under the Ministry of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services, the ideathon provided a dynamic platform for youth-driven innovation, drawing 248 entries nationwide. The finalists presented groundbreaking solutions across five thematic areas — agriculture, energy, public service, financial technology (fintech), and tourism.
One of the standout winners was Innocent Greats, who received US$8,000 for his agri-tech platform designed to digitally connect farmers with buyers, transporters, and warehouse facilities. “This win means everything. My platform is about giving smallholder farmers a fair chance in the market by bridging information and logistics gaps through technology,” he said.
In the fintech category, Lionel Chenyika impressed judges with Cyberspace Smart Insurances, an innovative platform promoting road safety by offering performance-based, customised insurance products for responsible drivers. “Our roads need a tech solution that rewards safe driving. POTRAZ’s support shows confidence in young Zimbabweans’ ability to transform key sectors,” he said.
Guest of Honour, Minister of ICT, Postal and Courier Services, Honourable Tatenda Mavetera, celebrated the ingenuity of the participants and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to digital transformation. “Zimbabwe’s prosperity lies in the power of innovation. We are proud of these young minds who are crafting practical solutions to real national issues,” she said.
Dr Gift Machengete, POTRAZ Director General, hailed the event as a national catalyst for creativity and collaboration. “We witnessed not just a competition, but a movement. Out of 248 applications, selecting 30 was a challenge — the ideas were simply exceptional. This is about building a future-ready Zimbabwe powered by local talent,” he said.
Launched in 2016, the Innovation Drive has empowered nearly 200 young entrepreneurs with seed capital and technical support, with several past participants now running viable businesses that contribute to the national economy.
As the 2025 Ideathon wraps up, the spotlight now shifts to the implementation of the winning projects — many of which are poised to reshape Zimbabwe’s sectors through smart, scalable, and inclusive digital solutions.
