By Cosmas Sunguro.

CHIADZWA: It was all broad smiles last Thursday when graduate tailors from Chiadzwa were finally shown the tailoring equipment purchased by Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamonds Company (ZCDC) in Harare. The representatives were graduates from the Community Training College initiated by ZCDC. They were accompanied by a company official Mr Watungwa and were housed at lavish Bronte hotel in Harare.

When the program started last year, many took it as other campaign gimmicks by ZCDC. So the program only attracted a paltry 3 groups who enrolled for the tailoring course. Now they are set to commence the business as the company has now fulfilled its promise to buy the equipment in a bid to make personal protective clothing (ppc) for the company. If fully functional, they will be able to supply local schools with uniforms at very minimal prices. Apart from creating employment, this is another way of keeping youths away from social vices like prostitution and drug abuse.

As ZIDAWU, we applaud the step that has been taken by the company although we still expect more to be done to the tailors in terms of training and exposure. Now the machines are said to be available, our hope is that the machines will not take ages before being transferred or used. According to Linda, one of the tailors who went to Harare, the machines are compatible to modern day requirements

“The machines are of high quality and modern”, said Linda.

Despite this move by ZCDC, many people are still skeptical about the sustainability of the program as they allege that the company is dodging some infrastructure development commitments in Chiadzwa. To some neutrals, the move by mining company is a welcome one as they seem to be fulfilling some of their promises.

Cosmas Sunguro is a member of Zimbabwe Diamonds and Allied Workers Union (ZIDAWU) writes here in his own capacity and can be contacted on +263 77 276 3209