silicosis |

NSSA Partners Tshiamiso Trust to Support Ex-Mineworkers Affected by Silicosis and TB

October 29, 2025 Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere Zimbabwe has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tshiamiso Trust to pave the way for the compensation of former mineworkers in South African mines who suffered permanent lung damage due to silicosis and those who contracted work-related tuberculosis (TB). The MoU formalises cooperation between the Government of Zimbabwe, through the National Social Security Authority (NSSA), and Tshiamiso Trust to ensure access to compensation for eligible former mineworkers and their dependents. Following a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) process, Baines Occupational Health Services was appointed in November…

Father first, miner Second: Why a Gwanda artisanal miner puts family before all

June 14, 2025 Michael Gwarisa

The now 44-year-old Zibusiso Ndlovu was only 19 when he came to Tshebetshebe, Gwanda in 2001 to explore the ‘golden’ opportunities offered in the gold mining sector in Zimbabwe. He was full of hope at a time Zimbabwe was experiencing serious economic challenges that led to high inflation and job losses. With the fear of losing his job and the little income he was getting at the end of each month weighing heavily on him, Zibusiso decided to leave his general hand job at one of the foreign-owned commercial gold…

Gasping for Life: The Deadly Grip of Silicosis on Zimbabwe’s Artisanal Miners

November 23, 2024November 23, 2024 Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa A frail-looking Tinashe Chinove from Masimbaevanhu Village in Shurugwi sits quietly under the shade of a tree, gasping for air. Even from a few yards away, his labored breathing is evident. Each breath he takes is a painful reminder of the relentless toll silicosis has taken on his life. At just 40 years old, Tinashe is battling a disease he contracted in 2022 while blasting and drilling rocks with a jackhammer deep in the artisanal mines. His health has deteriorated drastically, and he admits that he is…

Tshiamiso Trust Seeks Zimbabwean Service Providers To Expand Silicosis and TB Compensation

September 30, 2024September 30, 2024 Michael Gwarisa

By Staff Reporter The Tshiamiso Trust, established to provide compensation to former mineworkers suffering permanent lung impairment from silicosis or work-related TB, is seeking qualified service providers in Zimbabwe to assist claimants in the country. Following productive discussions with the Zimbabwean government, the Tshiamiso Trust is poised to begin processing compensation claims for ex-Wenela mineworkers. A memorandum of nderstanding (MOU) has been extensively discussed, with a final draft currently under review and expected to be signed soon, paving the way for these claims to be processed. Tshiamiso Trust CEO, Dr…

Risk Of TB Infection 18 Times Higher In Zimbabwe’s Artisanal Miners

July 4, 2022July 4, 2022 Michael Gwarisa

PROLONGED exposure to silica dust and a lack of protective gear, places Artisanal Small Scale Miners at greater risk of Tuberculosis (TB) infection compared to other population groups. By Michael Gwarisa recently inn Kwekwe Zimbabwe is one of the three countries in Southern Africa that has the highest number of artisanal small scale miners with Tanzania leading the pack, followed by Mozambique and then Zimbabwe on third place out of the 15 SADC countries. Data gathered from a Care and TB program that is being conducted by the Baines Occupational…