Sandawana: The story of despair turned joy

KUDAKWASHE CHIBVURI

A visit to Sandawana Mines a few years ago gave visitors a picture of a neglected community but teeming with resources.

Despite the presence of resources, there was a sad feeling about Sandawana as villagers looked hopeless amid poor roads, lack of potable water and high levels of unemployment.

The coming in of Sandawana Mines then didn’t do much to change their thoughts and despair as they listened to “promises.”

They listened but with a “not again” feeling because of stories of mining companies coming and going without any meaningful development in communities.

“They all come, make fake promises, take our resources and leave,” a community leader said during the first visit.

“What would you want as a community so that you benefit from what they are mining?” a question came from a journalist who was part of a meeting.

The answer was like a chorus and it came from no one in particular with all voices wanting passable roads, potable water and employment for their children.

That was promised by Sandawana Mines, a subsidiary of Kuvimba Mining House and only last week, it was a moment of truth.

Indeed, as promised, Sandawana Mines is delivering and the people have found a worthy partner if their testimonies are anything to go by.

Stakeholders met in Mberengwa where Sandawana Mines is operating from and it was all joy as community leaders led by Chief Ngungumbane spoke on what the mining company has done for them.

Most of the promises, it came out, have been met and others remain work in progress.

Sandawana Mines General Manager, Godwill Gambiza, said close to half a million dollars have so far been spent on rehabilitation of roads, provision of potable water, refurbishment of schools among other programmes.

“On the community social responsibility update, Sandawana Mines spent approximately US$475k in 2025 towards CSR in the following areas, road repairs and upgrades on the 60 kilometre gravel road between the mine and the main highway to Beitbridge which is almost 75% complete. The roadworks have been in progress for the last three months with dedicated equipment with close to US$400k having been spent to date,” he said.

Part of the US$475k, Gambiza said, has gone towards solar-powered boreholes as part of modernising rural communities with all the drilled boreholes having been drilled deeper for guaranteed water supply to the community.

Sandawana Mines also renovated Chebvute Secondary school block whose roof was blown off by wind.

“We want to ensure guaranteed learning in view of heavy rains,” Gambiza said.

Local leaders said they were happy with the projects and more should be done.

Sabhuku Mugaga, a local community leader said the boreholes drilled in communities will go a long way.

“The community was having problems with potable water the schools as well so definitely this goes a long way,” he said.

Headmaster for Maringambizi Secondary school said the borehole drilled at the institution with the help of the mine will allow the school to actively pursue Education 5.0.

“We haven’t been doing agriculture, especially the practical aspect but because of this development, we are going to transform our agricultural department by introducing a number of activities like horticulture and animal husbandry,” he said.

Sandawana Mines has invested millions in the lithium project in Mberengwa with KMH CEO Trevor Barnard saying construction of the long-awaited lithium processing plant, a key project expected to unlock and sustain major community development commitments, is now edging closer, with all partner agreements signed and only cabinet approval outstanding.

He said this while addressing traditional leaders during a stakeholder feedback meeting attended by all chiefs last week where he added that the processing plant will mark a turning point for both production and delivery of community projects.

Jobs will also be created in the process, Trevor said.

“It has taken longer than we wanted, unfortunately we were delayed by various issues. Some of the delays related to the low lithium price at the time, and others to negotiations with our partners,” he said

He assured the chiefs that once physical construction begins, fulfilment of CSR obligations will accelerate.