New farmers turn to gold panning (30-11-06)

that gold will provide an end to poverty and hunger. They say they have been waiting for the farming inputs promised to them by government since they were “resettled” on farms formerly owned by whites.
One such landowner, Tatovonga Chiremba (22), of Shurugwi was “resettled” in the peri-urban area of Gweru in the Midlands province.
“I’ve been panning along with other new farmers since we were brought here in 2003,” he said. “We could be farming but the government hasn’t distributed seed and fertiliser yet so we have to look for gold to make a living. Given the fact that we can make a living through panning we may abandon the idea of farming if we don’t get the inputs before the end of this year,” he added.
The government has legalised gold panning, under the banner of indigenous economic empowerment, despite environmental hazards. Gold seekers are flocking to rivers, streams and abandoned gold mines.
Their search is fuelled by the Central Bank’s recent gold price increase to Z$2,500 per ounce. The bank has also set up a gold trust fund to buy gold from the panners. Entrepreneurs are cashing in on the “gold rush” by setting up tuck shops and selling food and basic goods to aspiring miners.
Cornelia Mudzingwa, an informal trader from Matenda in Zvishavane said:
“Business is quite vibrant here. I am making a lot of money by selling food and essentials like soap, maizemeal, sugar, cooking oil and oranges. We capitalise on the gold panners because every minute of their time is working time. They live in the bush. This means they can only buy from us – no matter what the price.”
Mudzingwa says he’s smiling because he makes at least Z$20,000 profit a day – compared to the average low-income earners’ monthly income of about Z$25 000.
Reputable businesspeople and senior government officials are also climbing on the bandwagon by reportedly hiring people to pan for them. There are an estimated 100,000 panners in the Midlands province alone.