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Malawi Women In Mining Association (Mawima) on Wednesday held its annual general meeting in Blantyre where it elected new office bearers for a three-year period and resolved that intensive training to equip them with knowledge on how to identify precious stones and generating own funds are keys to their success.
In charting the way-forward, Mawima members said they need skills training to acquire knowledge on precious stones because they have been duped before by some unscrupulous dealers.
The meeting, therefore, agreed that Mawima members should initiate visits and interaction with the Geological Surveys Department and other stakeholders.
Geological Surveys Department officials advised the women to take their precious stones to their department for assessment of their value and avoid rushing to businessmen who have mostly cheated that they were worthless but ended up making money from them.
Re-elected Mawima president Emma Mphonde said she was not excited to go for a second three-year term of office because of the problems she encountered in her past term where, she said, members lacked dedication and cooperation.
She said when Mawima started in 1999 most members had expectations that the organisation would get funds to pump into their businesses and pulled out after noticing there were no funds.
“But if we are to achieve the goals breaking the ground for sustainable livelihood, employment creation and economic empowerment for women in our mission statement, we need to be dedicated,” said Mphonde whose vice is Halima Daudi from Lilongwe.
Regional Mining Engineer (South) Peter Chilumanga, representing the Department of Mines, challenged the women to take Mawima representation to district level. Currently it is represented only at regional and national level.
He also emphasised the need for unity and dedication if the organisation is to achieve its goals.
In her report to the AGM, Mphonde said Mawima attended the Sadc Women In Mining Trust AGM this year and the country will host the meeting next April on dates and venues to be communicated later.
She also reported that Mawima attended several other local and international symposiums.
During the elections, Thandie Nayeja, who was acting general secretary, was voted general secretary with Jacinta Jere as her deputy while Lucy Sambalikagwa became treasurer with Erita Sumayili as deputy. Anna Maunde was voted publicity secretary, Lydia Chafulumira vice and regional chairpersons automatically become committee members.
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