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By Calvin Manika
Hwange in the South West of Zimbabwe is endowed with coal and wildlife. It is the epicentre of coal mining in Zimbabwe with the majority mined by Hwange Colliery Company Limited (HCCL).
Of late, HCCL has been facing operational challenges and at some point the company engaged in mass retrenchment.
Despite the coming in of Makomo Resources, a big competitor of HCCL to turn the fortune of the mining town, it is the Sino companies who are creating a vast employment base for Hwange residents.
Over a dozen of Chinese companies are operating in Hwange, these companies include Sino Hydro, Zhing-Zhong Coking Company, South Mining, Shangdong, WK mining, Hwange Coal and Gasification Company, David Qui and many more. The Sino companies are involved in coal mining, coke production, manufacturing, brick moulding and construction.
The proliferation of Chinese companies has become a hope of employment creation in the small town of Hwange. Locals are finding their way in all managerial levels. Despite the challenges in communication through language, the Chinese nationals are managing to break the challenges by closely associating with locals and make English a formal language in workplaces, that it is rare to see a translator at the companies. This indicates the true commitment which established the Sino – Zimbabwe relationship.
Speaking to the Spiked Online Media, Tawanda Banda aged 25 years and employed at a Chinese owned company expressed his gratitude to the Chinese companies explaining that that jobs were available.
“With the economic situation in the country, I never thought i would get a job after finishing. I was worried that there are many vacancies and opportunities in these mining companies and every time and then a new Chinese company are coming giving hope even on those who are still studying,” said Banda.
However, some instances of violence and poor salaries paints the bad picture for the Sino run companies in Zimbabwe. Regardless of the incidents, people finds the Chinese to be all weather friends.
“Besides some isolated instances we hear that Chinese companies are ill-treating workers, they have done a good thing for our community through donations. It can be individuals and their characters but China as a country is proving to be a true friend for us,” says Ncube.
Responding to the allegations Bhekezulu Thabete, Human Resources Manager at the Chinese owned Hwange Coal and Gasification Company (HCGL) refutes the cliams.
“We adhere to the good work standards in terms of safety and welfare of our workers. We are guided by laws and we follow them with maximum adherence to workers health. We actually helping these companies to conform with the Zimbabwean environment,” says Thabete.
Since the advent of the second republic President Emmerson Mnangagwa has strengthened the long standing relationship of Zimbabwe and China. The maiden meeting of President Mnangagwa and President Xi Jinping in China from 2 to 6 April 2018 begun another “new chapter” in China-Zimbabwe relations.
From that time Zimbabwe has witnessed hundreds of investments by the people of the republic of China. Inter- cultural exchanges between the two countries has also made both economic and social ties to be strong.
Another worker at a Chinese mining company Amos Moyo narrates how he was he encountering challenging in terms of securing a job until he comes to Hwange.
“When I finished my college studies in geology I failed to have a job of my profession and I worked as a casual worker at a manufacturing company. I heard of many mining companies in Hwange I came over here and it did not take time to find a good job,” says Moyo.