Scholars gain valuable experience and networks at Australia Africa Week 2024

Australia Africa Week is hosted in Perth each September to celebrate, expand and strengthen the social, economic, cultural, and business ties between Australia and Africa. Events are orientated around research, development, and industry. Africa Down Under (ADU) is central to events during this week and Australia Awards Africa travelled to Perth to attend these events, support scholar attendance, and help them gain the skills necessary to maximise this valuable networking opportunity. This included a meeting with Australia’s Head of Mission to Harare, Ms. Minoli Perera. We asked scholars who attended ADU to tell us more about their ADU experience and the value they gained from it. Here is what they had to say:

Nomathemba Ndlovu from Zimbabwe is currently studying towards a Master of Engineering at the University of New South Wales. Her motivation for attending ADU was to pitch a project on reusing Australian solar panels in Africa by connecting with African leaders and Australian investors for support.

Nomathemba states “I had the opportunity to meet the Ambassador of Zimbabwe to Australia, His Excellency Joe Tapera Mhishi, who introduced me to potential investors in renewable energy. I also connected with ECG, an engineering company in Australia, which expressed interest in my project. These interactions opened doors to future collaborations and provided me with valuable insights into the intersection of African resources and global renewable energy initiatives. My experience at ADU was enriching and expanded my understanding of the vital role Africa’s resources play in the future of renewable energy.” Her next steps are to apply for an internship with ECG to gain practical experience to further develop her project and pitch at other conferences in the future.”

Zukira Kalokola from Tanzania is completing a Master of Environmental Management and Development at the Australian National University campus, Canberra. Through her scholarship, Zukira aims to enhance environmental management practices in Tanzania’s mining industry. ADU offered Zukira the opportunity to meet with organisations that have experience in creating more equitable and sustainable mining practices. Transitional Minerals International showed her how artisanal mining can be formalised through organising miners into corporations and partnerships with larger mining companies. This enables them to hold shares in mining operations and legitimise their practices. Through formalising their work, artisanal miners can increase their income, improve working conditions, and follow more stringent environmental practices as implemented by larger companies. This demonstrated to Zukira a pathway for not only the better management of mining resources but also increased economic empowerment for artisanal miners. According to Zukira she now “intends to use this knowledge to advocate for similar formalization efforts in Tanzania, which could improve regulatory compliance, environmental management, and economic stability for artisanal miners.”

Aside from gaining practical insights into mining operations, Zukira enjoyed exploring different parts of Australia. However, residing in Canberra she missed the comforts of home. With Perth being Australia’s gateway to Africa, she enjoyed African cuisine at a local restaurant. “This experience brought a taste of home that I had been missing, allowing me to enjoy familiar flavors in a foreign land. It was a comforting and uplifting moment that made me feel more connected to my roots while being so far from Tanzania”, she says.  

Vimbai Takawira from Zimbabwe, studying a Master of Geoscience at the University of Western Australia commented that ADU was a “transformative experience that broadened my professional network and deepened my understanding of how geoscience can drive sustainable development policies”. In networking with Australian organisations, Vimbai gained concrete examples of how geoscience research has successfully influenced policy decisions. She says: “I hope to undertake joint research and exploration activities to influence policymakers about the importance of data-driven approaches in the mining sector. These connections will facilitate access to resources and expertise that can enhance my professional development while enriching my overall experience in Australia.”

Peter Zendera from Zimbabwe is working towards a Master of Engineering at the University of New South Wales. A key outcome of his ADU experience was to discover opportunities for growth through advanced technology and sustainable mining practices. To help him acquire the skills to implement these on return to Zimbabwe, Peter successfully linked with a mentor in the person of Linton Kirk, a mining engineer turned consultant with over 30 years of experience in mining in both Australia and Zimbabwe. With this support, Mr. Zendera will seek advice on how to establish a consultancy firm that empowers local miners and promotes best practice. With ADU providing knowledge on safer mining techniques, sustainable operations and strategies to navigate challenges like regulatory hurdles, financial challenges and ESG concerns, Peter is positioning himself to make a positive impact in Zimbabwe’s mining sector. He says: “By focusing on reducing accidents and supporting local communities, my initiatives will attract meaningful investment from those committed to creating lasting, transformative impact in the mining industry.”

For Peter, “ADU was an incredible experience that opened doors to new and amazing opportunities, connections and knowledge, all of which will shape the future of my career and impact the mining sector in Zimbabwe and Africa at large.”

ADU provides a unique opportunity for scholars to meet with representatives from Australian and African governments as well as representatives from the private sector. As showcased by the scholars, these meetings can turn into partnerships for project development, mentoring opportunities to gain insight into best practices, and insights into topical issues affecting the mining community. Australia Awards Africa looks forward to seeing the lasting impact of these networks and experiences as our scholars continue their on-award journey.