Zimpapers Logo

Raymond Jaravaza

THE 4.4MW solar farm built on land that used to be a mining waste dump site and powers Turk Mine in Bubi District, Matabeleland North, has created employment for a dedicated team of women whose job is solely to clean the 8 064 solar panels.

The solar farm sits on 3.6 hectares of land next to a dusty trail that is a detour temporarily used by motorists as works on the Bulawayo-Nkayi Road continue.

The detour creates dust that blankets the solar panels, thus reducing their capacity to fully generate power. For that reason, the mine authorities decided to hire dedicated teams of women who clean thousands of solar panels on a daily basis, creating employment opportunities for the local communities.

The women work three-month contracts on a rotational basis so that as many of them as possible can have the chance to earn a living and take care of their families. As well as boosting the income of participating women, the initiative helps ensure efficient power generation and promotes the adoption of renewable energy.

Among them is a single mother, Miss Abigail Mnkandla, originally from Filabusi, who has been living in Inyathi for the last five years.
She started her three-month contract last month and is happy to have the opportunity to earn an honest living and take care of her two minor daughters.

“Our job is to clean the solar panels every day from 7AM to 3PM, which is an eight hour shift, and our group started last month,” said Ms Mnkandla.

“I’m a single mother who has been battling to find a job. So, I’m happy that I got the opportunity to work here even if it’s just for three months. I’m trying to save some money from my salary so that I can start a small business in Inyathi selling second hand clothes that I buy from Bulawayo.”

The women work in groups of eight. Turk Mine’s safety, health, environment and quality officer, Mr Taurai Danda, said the solar panels need to stay clean of dust to work efficiently, hence the company’s decision to hire the women to clean them.