Elizabeth Nerwandeis a trailblazer in Zimbabwe’s mining sector, known for her groundbreaking leadership and unwavering commitment to inclusive, responsible mining Currently serving as Head of Corporate Affairs at Mimosa Mining Company, Nerwande brings a rich background in social work and industrial psychology to the industry—fields that have uniquely shaped her human-centered leadership style From leading national institutions like ZimTrade and the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe to becoming the first woman to serve as President of the Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe, her journey is one of resilience, purpose, and transformation In this exclusive interview,Elizabeth Nerwandereflects on her path, the evolving role of women in mining, and her vision for a more sustainable and inclusive industry
Can you start by telling us about yourself—who is Elizabeth Nerwande, and how did your personal and professional journey shape the leader you are today EN: I am Head of Corporate Affairs at Mimosa Mine I am a social worker and psychologist by training I hold an Honours Degree in Industrial Psychology and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work
Before joining Mimosa, my previous work experience included serving as Executive Director of the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe, Chief Executive Officer of ZimTrade, and Commissioner General for Zimbabwe during the 2015 Aichi World Expo held in Japan I had a normal Zimbabwean upbringing, and I was always driven by a desire to do better in life You have a strong background in social work and psychology How did you transition from these fields into the mining industry, and what drew you to it
EN: My work has always focused on understanding communities and bridging the gap between community expectations and business obligations Most major mining companies have a dedicated department for this role So, it was not surprising that in 2009, I found myself consulting for three mining companies on strategic forward-planning issues I was part of a team that was instrumental in providing innovative solutions and leadership direction in my area of expertise
Based on the work I did for Mimosa, they requested me to join them on a full-time basis in 2011 What have been some of the defining moments in your career, particularly as you navigated a traditionally male-dominated industry like mining My election as President of the Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe is particularly memorable, as I was the first woman to hold that position I’m glad to say the Chamber was able to embrace people irrespective of their gender
I had known it as an organisation solidly built around its values, traditions, and norms, and one of its most sacrosanct traditions was respect for leadership and competency.
Source: Miningzimbabwe
