YETZ Journey in Advocating for Contract Transparency in Mining areas #DiscloseTheDeal Campaign
On 26 May 2023, expanded their extractive industry accountability campaign from Marange diamond fields – a hotbed of opaque mining deals, deep-rooted illicit financial flows and human rights abuses to Penhalonga. Young Entrepreneurs Trust Zimbabwe (YETZ), is championing a Movement building to demand economic and environmental justice in Penhalonga. Thereby advocating for the right to ‘Say No’ to irresponsible, wreck-less and unsustainable mining in mining communities. YETZ conducted a contract transparency training of 30 Penhalonga and Tsvingwe residents recently at the invitation of Penhalonga Residents Trust after who had been impressed by their successful campaign in Chiadzwa where they are working with fellow youth-led organization Environmental Buddies Zimbabwe to push for contract transparency as a key component in achieving responsible and sustainable mining under its #Disclose The Deal Campaign.
This has its foundational principle on Contract Transparency build-up in mining areas. Mining communities are synonymous with lack of development, yet there is heavy resource extraction taking place, and this presents an opportunity to engage community leaders, mining sector players and the community members while building their capacity on their right to be heard, freedom of expression and fair and equitable access to resources. Improving the capacity of community members to participate in natural resource governance does not only involve spreading awareness on their rights and obligations, but further speaks into ensuring the enforcement of those rights and fulfilment of obligations as a key priority that is prioritized and realized through specific actions taken by the relevant authorities.
Tendai Manyeza, the Executive Director, explained that ‘The Right to say NO to campaign’ that they are currently running in the Chiadzwa-Marange area is not meant to be negative about mining operations. “The right to say NO to irresponsible mining is not saying I hate you but rather that I need you to bring the best out of the extractive industry. Saying No to unsustainable mining is equally the same as saying YES to responsible and sustainable mining,” he said.
