Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe President Elizabeth Nerwande has called for the capacitation of mining reporters with some specialized training to enhance the quality of work by our journalists.
Speaking during the Mining Media Awards ceremony held in the capital yesterday, Nerwande said the Chamber is ready to support the media with training to enhance reportage on mining.
“As Chamber, we stand ready to support the media for the work they do, hence our partnership with Mejrkh.
“We understand the need to capacitate mining reporters with some specialized training and hope in the near future a training course or workshop on reporting mining can be facilitated to enhance the quality of work by our journalists,” she said.
She added that the media should extend their work to influencing policy changes for the benefit of mining and the nation.
“From our perspective, the media should be able to offer a diagnosis of issues affecting the mining sector and even individual minerals, while also sourcing expert knowledge to proffer a way out.
“Its role should extend to influencing policy changes for the benefit of mining and the nation. An incisive and analytical media is indeed a partner for national development,” said Nerwande.
Nerwande who is also Mimosa’s Head Corporate Affairs , was appointed President of the Zimbabwe Chamber of Mines early this year, making her the first woman to hold that office in a field dominated by men.
She was elected to lead the mining body at the chamber’s annual conference which was held in Victoria Falls in June this year.
Nerwande has previously served as the chamber’s vice-president. She was the executive director of the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ) from 1999 to 2003, and chief executive of Zimbabwe’s trade promotion body, Zimtrade, from 2004 to 2006.
Her appointment marks a significant turn in the country’s history where women are under-represented in top leadership positions.
