A CLASSROOM at Mapeume Secondary School was dusty and packed, filled with villagers who came from Insiza and Mberengwa districts.
Everyone was eager as they focused on the representatives from Zimbabwe Alloys Limited (ZimAlloys), a subsidiary of Kuvimba Mining House (KMH).
This was no ordinary meeting — it was part of KMH’s town hall series, where the mining giant engaged directly with communities to hear their needs before operations began.
For years, mining companies had come and gone, leaving behind huge pits and broken promises.
But today felt different; the people had a chance to be heard and ZimAlloys was all ears.
Alexander Maphosa, Mapeume Secondary School vice-chairperson, stood next to a worn-out chalkboard.
“This classroom shows our struggles,” he said, his voice bouncing off the walls.
“Parents have tried to build more classrooms, but we don’t have what we need. Different classes share a classroom, which is not ideal. Plus, if someone gets sick, the nearest clinic is 11 kilometres away.”
The school, located along the border of Matabeleland South and Midlands, has two classroom blocks. It lacks a perimeter fence and ground facilities.
A woman in an old dress raised her hand.
“Our cattle keep falling into pits left open by some mining companies. These cattle are what we depend on.”
Besides education and health facilities, villagers need dip tanks, dams and bridges.
Chief Chizungu agreed with the villagers, adding that it was high time mining companies respected traditional leadership.
“We appreciate this meeting,” he said.
“But the promises can’t stop here. You need to fix the land and share the development fairly — our community falls under three chiefs and everyone should benefit.”
Chief Bankwe chimed in: “Other companies made deals and then disappeared. If ZimAlloys wants our trust, it must keep its
word.”
The mining claim where ZimAlloys intends to operate is located in Insiza, extending into Mberengwa along the border of Matabeleland South and Midlands.
Dalindyebo Miso-Mbele, the metallurgical lead at ZimAlloys, stood up to respond.
“We are here to listen first,” he said.
“Kuvimba Mining House supports responsible mining. We will create over 30 local jobs. We aim to build, not just take. And we will make sure the land is restored.”
After the meeting wrapped up, villagers hung around chatting about what had been said.
The classroom, usually for learning, had turned into a space for negotiating — seeing if this time, the minerals beneath them could bring real progress instead of more trouble.
KMH town hall series has given them a voice. Now, they are waiting to see if anyone will pay attention.
