The following story was narrated to TWSC Contributor Naume Mubure.
My name is Wendy Sibanda and I am 30 years old. I hold a bachelor’s degree in geography and environment studies which I did at Midlands State University in Gweru, Zimbabwe. I always wanted a white-collar job where I [would] be wearing heels and formal wear; however, I had a passion for the environment.
I am a safety health officer at Eureka Gold Mine in Guruve, Zimbabwe, and this job encompasses helping companies save the environment. The mine is still under construction and is in the rural areas. There are about 125 employees including security. I am the only woman in management at the mine and have mostly men working under me.
Working in a male-dominated environment has been a challenge for me because some are passive while others question my authority. Some even say I got the job after dating the boss at the company. I used to be very shy and could not stand my ground when confronted by employees and there are so many men in the company who naturally do not want to be told anything by a woman.
It was very hard for me at first that I wanted to quit but slowly started to adjust and my boss always has my back. When I give out an order, I stand my ground and tell them firmly what I want to be done and the consequences of not following the order or doing what I would have asked them to do. Most of the time they follow my orders complaining. In my previous jobs, I would cry and go to my supervisors to report the employees who were not complying. But with experience I now know how to approach a person and command what I want done.
I am also the camp manager at the mine. The locals at the mine are against single women especially in my position because they feel threatened and intimidated by me. I have had situations where the wives of the employees who work under me come to work to complain that I tell old men what to do yet am single and a woman on top of that. They would insult me saying I do not have moral values and do not respect men.
On the 11th of June 2019 we had secondary school students who came to visit the mine and I spent some time with them telling them about my job and how I qualified. I encouraged the young girls who were present that they could be anything in life as long as they set their minds to it.
My advice to women is to stay true to your vision and goals and do not forget who you are. Put God first in all you do and He will see you through it all. I thank God in everything because it was in His plan that I got this job. When I feel hopeless, I remind myself that He did not bring me this far to leave me.
