The Citizen Bulletin

05/12/2024

🌟 Celebrating Excellence: Our Senior Reporter Shines at Environment Awards!

We are thrilled to share that Fairness Moyana, our esteemed Environment and Climate Reporter at The Citizen Bulletin, has achieved an extraordinary milestone! At the prestigious Environment Africa and Rainbow Tourism Group Environment Awards held yesterday, Fairness was recognized with three major honors:

🏆 Overall Best Environment Reporter
🌳 Best Sustainable Forest Management Story
♻️ Best Waste Management and Recycling Piece

Fairness’s groundbreaking stories continue to highlight critical environmental challenges in Zimbabwe. Here are two of his impactful pieces:

📌 Solid Waste Disposal: An Environmental Nightmare in Hwange
This in-depth report delves into the pressing waste management issues in Hwange, uncovering their toll on the environment and local communities.
👉 Read more here: https://thecitizenbulletin.org/2024/09/03/solid-waste-disposal-an-environmental-nightmare-in-hwange/

📌 Rampant Illegal Charcoal Production Ravages Hwange Forests
This eye-opening piece exposes the devastating effects of illegal charcoal production, underscoring the urgent need for sustainable forest management.
👉 Read more here: https://thecitizenbulletin.org/2024/08/07/rampant-illegal-charcoal-production-ravages-hwange-forests/

These accolades underscore our commitment to reporting on underrepresented yet crucial topics like climate and environmental challenges.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Report for the World, our valued partner, for empowering us to tell these stories and champion impactful hyperlocal journalism that drives real change.

👏 Congratulations, Fairness Moyana! You make us proud! 👏

12/11/2024

Never miss out on this insightful event of the year!

📢 Only 1 Day to Go!

Tomorrow, the Africa Journalism and Media Summit kicks off in Harare! Join us for two full days of exciting panels, workshops, and fireside chats centered around media innovation, sustainability, and the future of journalism in Africa in the age of disruption. 🌍✨

Expect impactful discussions on the challenges and opportunities in today’s media landscape, led by expert speakers and hands-on workshops to sharpen your skills. This is a chance to explore new storytelling techniques, engage with community-focused journalism, and gain insights into sustainable media practices.

📅 Be sure to join us in person, or catch the live updates on:

Facebook: Zimbabwe Centre for Media and Information Literacy
X:


Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Gender & Media Connect Internews Brighton Beefactor Journalism Students Network Zimbabwe Curate Bathabile Dlamini

25/10/2024

🌍 Communities in Matabeleland Battle Wildlife Conflict Amid Drought 🌾

As drought intensifies, farmers near Hwange National Park are facing daily battles against elephants and other wildlife drawn to scarce resources. In Matetsi, local solutions like chili guns are helping, but farmers call for stronger support, such as fencing and water resources, to protect crops and livestock. The climate crisis has made coexisting with wildlife increasingly challenging, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable development measures to secure livelihoods in rural Zimbabwe.

Read more about their struggle and resilience here:

As drought worsens human-wildlife conflict near Hwange National Park, Matetsi farmers are left struggling with inadequate government support forcing them to turn to local solutions to safeguard their livelihoods.

17/10/2024

The impacts of climate change have caused traditional water sources to dry up, forcing women and girls to walk long distances in search of water, a vital resource for their communities. - Video by Marvellous Mhlanga

Editor’s note:

This video was submitted by a citizen journalist in Hwange. We have reviewed the content and added English captions for accessibility. However, we cannot fully vouch for the accuracy of every detail. The video is published with our logo but remains in its original form. We welcome feedback to ensure accuracy and clarity.

17/10/2024

As the drought worsens, communities are forced to share limited water resources with livestock and to sustain nutrition gardens, a key source of livelihood. The dropping water table has made it increasingly difficult to pump water from boreholes, exacerbating the crisis. - Video by Chatiwa Munsaka and Marvellous Mhlanga

Editor’s note:

This video was submitted by a citizen journalist in Hwange. We have reviewed the content and added English captions for accessibility. However, we cannot fully vouch for the accuracy of every detail. The video is published with our logo but remains in its original form. We welcome feedback to ensure accuracy and clarity.

17/10/2024

Climate change has led to severe environmental degradation in Ward 9. In response, villagers are actively working to rehabilitate the environment through various initiatives aimed at restoring its productivity and sustainability. - Video by Marvellous Mhlanga

Editor’s note:

This video was submitted by a citizen journalist in Hwange. We have reviewed the content and added English captions for accessibility. However, we cannot fully vouch for the accuracy of every detail. The video is published with our logo but remains in its original form. We welcome feedback to ensure accuracy and clarity.

17/10/2024

In response to the impacts of climate change, local communities have turned to irrigation schemes. These initiatives have helped ensure food security during the drought and reduced community’s vulnerability to climate-related challenges. - Video by Chatiwa Munsaka and Marvellous Mhlanga

Editor’s note:

This video was submitted by a citizen journalist in Hwange. We have reviewed the content and added English captions for accessibility. However, we cannot fully vouch for the accuracy of every detail. The video is published with our logo but remains in its original form. We welcome feedback to ensure accuracy and clarity.

16/10/2024

Due to the El Niño-induced drought, a result of climate change, villagers in Mashala are increasingly relying on unsafe water sources. These water points are shared with both wildlife and livestock, raising significant health and safety concerns for the community. - Video by Marvellous Mhlanga

Editor’s note: This video was submitted by a citizen journalist in Hwange. We have reviewed the content and added English captions for accessibility. However, we cannot fully vouch for the accuracy of every detail. The video is published with our logo but remains in its original form. We welcome feedback to ensure accuracy and clarity.

15/10/2024

Journalism education in Africa is at a crossroads, with a need to reimagine how the next generation of journalists is trained to thrive in an age of disruption.

This break-away session will explore curriculum innovations and practical training approaches to prepare future media professionals for the challenges ahead.

Be sure to follow this session on November 13 in Harare. If you can’t join in person, scan the QR code on the flier to participate live!

08/10/2024

Farmers Turn to Irrigation to Combat Drought. But Experts Warn of Limitations

Farmers in Hwange are increasingly turning to irrigation to safeguard their crops from drought. However, experts caution that while irrigation is a valuable tool, it may not fully address the broader impacts of climate change.

This article was published with support from Meedan’s Independent Media Response Fund.

HWANGE (The Citizen Bulletin) — Sixty-four-year-old Rebecca Ncube cups a handful of manure and leaves before spreading them over her bean crop at Kubudilila Nutrition Garden in Dinde Ward, Hwange district. She smiles as she inspects her lush green legumes.

“The rains were terrible this year; we barely planted due to the unpredictable weather,” Ncube says. “My sorghum crop, which I usually rely on because of the dryness of our region, barely saw the light of day. But I have found solace in irrigation,” she adds. “I expect to harvest about four buckets of beans and eight buckets of tomatoes.”

Ncube is among many rural farmers in Matabeleland North who are turning to irrigation to cope with increasingly erratic climate conditions. Recurrent droughts threaten their traditional livelihoods, prompting adaptation through solar-powered boreholes provided by the Kubudilila Irrigation Scheme, which enables year-round irrigation.

“I have three plots where I grow maize, beans, cabbage, butternuts, onions, and carrots,” says 42-year-old Sheila Nyoni, a widow, who has also benefited from the scheme. “With irrigation, we can plant all year round. This helps us generate income and ensure food security. Before, we only relied on rain, and our crops suffered.”

Hwange district, part of the country’s northeastern drylands, has long been vulnerable to climate change. Prolonged droughts and unpredictable rainfall have made rain-fed agriculture increasingly unsustainable, resulting in ongoing food insecurity for many farmers.

“This irrigation scheme has been a game-changer. We now produce food for consumption and for sale—something we couldn’t do before, as we relied solely on rain-fed agriculture. The solar-powered boreholes have made a real difference," says Ndlovu.

However, Daniel Sithole, director of the environmental lobby group Green Shango Trust, warns that irrigation alone is not a silver-bullet solution.

07/10/2024

Small Businesses Struggle to Cope with Climate Shifts

In Hwange, climate shifts are causing power cuts, water shortages, and droughts, placing small businesses under severe strain and impeding their ability to adapt.

This article was published with support from Meedan’s Independent Media Response Fund.

HWANGE (The Citizen Bulletin) — The whirring and grinding of machinery suddenly come to a halt. Constance Liteta, 51, rushes to inspect the breaker, suspecting it might be faulty. Her colleague shouts from the other room that it’s a power cut.

“These power cuts and water rationing, caused by climate change, have become more frequent and are negatively affecting our business,” says Liteta.

Climate change can directly impact businesses through physical damage from floods, bushfires, or forced closures. Indirect impacts, such as disrupted supply chains or reduced income from extreme weather, further compound the problem.

Liteta is the secretary and marketing director of a baobab processing company formed by rural farmers in Change Ward as part of climate resilience efforts.

“We started in 2016 under a Forest Forces project, planting baobab trees before benefiting from seed processing machines. Initially, this was a community project with about 800 members, but many dropped off, and we converted it into a company," says Liteta, a 51-year-old farmer.

The company now produces oils, lotions, fruit juice, coffee, and stock feed, operating with a small team of five women and one security officer.

According to Mushingo Baobab Foods Chairperson Rosemary Muleya, the business has transformed many lives, economically empowering women throughout the value chain, from supply to distribution.

However, climate change poses a new threat to years of investment and hard work.

“We are experiencing frequent power blackouts and water shortages, which cripple operations and damage equipment. It’s impossible to operate without water or electricity to power machines,” Liteta explains. “Climate change is also affecting our primary raw material—the baobab fruit. Drought has reduced the oil yield from the seed.”

28/09/2024

Small businesses in Hwange are feeling the strain of climate shifts, with power outages, water shortages, and droughts threatening their operations. In this video, we take a closer look at how baobab processing businesses are struggling to adapt and the challenges they face in building resilience.

23/09/2024

Communities Battle Wildlife Conflict Amid Drought

As drought worsens human-wildlife conflict near Hwange National Park, Matetsi farmers are left struggling with inadequate government support forcing them to turn to local solutions to safeguard their livelihoods.

by TICHAONA MATARUSE

This article was published with support from ’s Independent Media Response Fund.

HWANGE (The Citizen Bulletin) — As night falls in Matetsi, Matabeleland North, farmers abandon sleep to protect their livelihoods. The distant trumpeting of elephants grows louder, signaling another raid on their crops and water sources.

Armed with drums and whips, Vulindlela Mhlanga and his neighbors spring into action, doing their best to drive away the hungry giants in search of food and water.

“They come every night now,” says Mhlanga, a farmer. “We fight them off, but they keep coming back.”

Wildlife intrusion is not new to this rural farming community, situated near Hwange National Park. But climate change has magnified the conflict, as prolonged drought drives animals and humans to compete for the same dwindling resources.

“This year, it’s not just the crops the elephants want. They’re after our waterholes and even raid our gardens. We’re fighting for survival against the same animals we’ve lived alongside for generations,” says Mhlanga, who also serves as a local councilor.

With traditional farming now nearly impossible due to erratic rainfall, many households in Matetsi have turned to irrigation in hopes of growing cash crops. However, the success of this strategy is tenuous. As boreholes run dry, the community’s ability to irrigate has diminished, leaving them with meager yields.

“Since time immemorial we have been relying on farming for our livelihoods and here in Matetsi we have good yields. However, the changing weather patterns have made our lives difficult.”

“We are food insecure as a result of these recurrent droughts,” says Misheck Mlandu, a farmer who was one of the first settlers in the area before it was designated as a resettlement by the central government.

Beyond elephants, other animals also pose a growing threat. In nearby Sikhabelo and Masuwe, lion and hyena attacks have become frequent, with 64 livestock already lost this year.

“The past seasons have been difficult because the advent of climate change has increased human-wildlife conflict. Matetsi was once the most productive ward in terms of agriculture yields in the whole district, but that has changed as elephants raid the little crops we manage to salvage as a result of the droughts,” Mlandu adds.

Farmers have tried to adapt by selling off older cattle, feeding the rest with garden scraps, and relying on stock feed to maintain what’s left of their livestock. But these measures feel like stopgaps, with little long-term security.

“We have engaged ZimParks, but as a community, we’ve also devised ways to chase away problem animals, like using chili guns or planting trees that elephants avoid,” Mlandu says.

19/09/2024

Farmers Turn to Traditional Farming Methods as Drought Intensifies

Communal farmers in Hwange are adapting to worsening droughts by embracing traditional knowledge and sustainable farming methods. But without more robust support, many face an uncertain future.

by Fairness Moyana and Divine Bango Dube

This article was published with support from Meedan’s Independent Media Response Fund.

HWANGE (The Citizen Bulletin) — In Change ward, Matabeleland North, Constance Liteta stands by a baobab tree, showcasing a product her women’s farming club now produces. But the cracked, lifeless land around her is a stark reminder of how climate change has upended their lives.

“Changes in rainfall patterns, which have led to unpredictable seasons, have affected our farming activities. As women, we are most affected since we are the ones that provide the labor in agriculture—our food security is at risk,” she explains.

The harsh drought has caused water sources to dry up, making daily survival a growing challenge for Liteta and her neighbors.

“We are also experiencing serious water shortages, and now we are forced to walk long distances to look for water,” she adds, describing a burden that has become all too common in the region.

For farmers like Liteta, who once depended on rain-fed agriculture, these changing conditions have forced them to adopt new strategies to stay afloat. Many have shifted from traditional maize crops to more drought-resistant varieties like millet and sorghum, which offer a better chance of survival in Hwange’s increasingly arid landscape.

“We switched from maize to small grains, and it’s helped us boost our yields and secure food for our families. But one of the challenges is getting inputs on time,” Liteta says, pointing to the difficulties many farmers face in obtaining the tools and supplies necessary for a successful harvest.

The community’s reliance on ancient knowledge has also become a crucial tool in battling the drought. Local farmers have begun tapping into indigenous weather forecasting methods, which allow them to better plan for the unpredictable seasons.

“We’ve resorted to indigenous knowledge systems for weather forecasting to help us plan our farming activities,” says Rosemary Ncube, another farmer.

But even with these adaptations, survival in the face of climate change is not easy. The communal approach many farmers are adopting has helped lighten the load, with groups forming to pool resources and share innovative techniques.

“Through support from NGOs, we formed clubs where we make contributions to buy stockfeeds, medicines, and vaccines for our livestock,” says Ncube.

16/09/2024

16/09/2024

Drought Forces Farmers into Desperate Livestock Migration

Hwange farmers are forced to migrate their livestock due to worsening droughts, leading to severe food shortages and rising tensions over scarce resources.

by FAIRNESS MOYANA

HWANGE (The Citizen Bulletin) — Alick Ncube (44) drives his herd of five cattle, now visibly emaciated and fatigued, as he joins other herders from his village on a 40 km trek to find pastures near the banks of the Gwayi River in Hwange district, Matabeleland North.

“The drought has severely impacted our livestock. The little grass in our grazing lands has disappeared, and we are forced to travel long distances to find pastures,” Ncube says.

“We have no choice if we want to avoid losing our cattle to drought, which has resulted in severe shortages of water and pastures. For the next two to three months, we will stay in makeshift tents.”

As pastures and water shortages continue to worsen, livestock health deteriorates, leading to more deaths from starvation and drought-induced diseases. Experts warn that this crisis could increase food insecurity, malnutrition, and hunger-related mortality.

The central government has declared a state of emergency, appealing to development partners to mobilize approximately $3 billion to feed a quarter of the population and avert starvation. Hwange is no exception, as the drought has devastated local communities, leaving many struggling with severe food and water shortages.

The lack of rainfall over the past five seasons has made it nearly impossible for communal farmers to grow crops, leaving thousands without livelihoods and forcing many to flee their homes in search of food and water.

Diana Mwembe, a farmer from Chikandakubi village, paints a gloomy picture of the drought’s impact in Hwange:

“The droughts are harsher these days. A few years ago, we could see green pastures over the hills during a drought, and we would take our animals to graze there and return for water. Now, we haven’t had rain in over two years. The land is completely dry.”

Herders now spend months away from home, living in makeshift tents as they continuously move from place to place in search of grazing land to save their livestock.

Due to the harsh conditions, many farmers have been displaced and forced to seek alternative livelihoods. The scorching heat has also made farming difficult, leading some to turn to activities such as charcoal burning and fishing for survival.

In Hwange and neighboring districts like Binga, livestock plays a crucial socio-economic, cultural, and food security role. However, desertification and land degradation—exacerbated by unsustainable land use practices—are increasingly threatening these already arid and semi-arid regions.

The harsh climate and shrinking vegetation make livestock farming more challenging with each passing year, leaving local communities struggling to sustain their herds.

“We have been forced to migrate our livestock from rural areas to rivers near Hwange town due to low rainfall,” says 55-year-old Simon Munkuli from Makwa, located 40 km east of Hwange town. “The pasture is wiped out within days due to the number of cattle grazing in one area, so we keep moving further to find more rangelands.”

Despite these efforts, farmers-cum-pastoralists are increasingly vulnerable to climate change and extreme weather events. In Hwange, rising temperatures and recurrent droughts, reflective of broader trends across the country, have led to abnormal migratory patterns and destabilized local ecosystems.

To address the crisis, government authorities and experts recommend interventions such as destocking — a drought management strategy that involves reducing livestock numbers to ease pressure on limited grazing and water supplies. This can also help farmers raise money by selling cattle before they lose value due to emaciation.

“Destocking is a common response to droughts. We advise farmers to sell some of their cattle to purchase supplementary feeds and minimize losses,” says a local livestock extension officer. “This practice relieves pressure on scarce resources and provides meat to vulnerable families.”

However, destocking is often overlooked by farmers in the hope that conditions will improve, resulting in significant losses. Livestock experts argue that proactive intervention strategies are critical for communities already suffering from widespread livestock losses.

Munkuli, unsure of what the future holds for his family, knows one thing: the El Niño-induced drought will likely claim some of his remaining cattle.

“In my community, our way of life revolves around livestock. We sell animals for money, food, and even to pay dowries. Here, wealth is still based on how many animals you have. I have already lost several cattle to drought. I’ll have to sell more to support my family. I want my children to go to school and get jobs that don’t depend on the land, given how the climate is changing,” says Munkuli, 55-year-old farmer.

As grazing lands continue to deteriorate, livestock value decreases, and some breeds face extinction. Inter-communal conflicts have also increased as farmers compete for scarce water and pastures.

For many pastoralists in Matabeleland North, migration was once a regular part of life, as herds would travel long distances in search of fresh grass with the changing seasons. Now, climate change is disrupting this cycle, making survival more challenging for farmers and their livestock.

19/08/2024

Surge in Teenage Pregnancies and STIs Poses Crisis in Mat South

As teenage pregnancies and risky s*xual behaviors escalate in Matabeleland South, the province faces a growing crisis that endangers the health and future of its youth.

by LYNNIA NGWENYA

GWANDA (The Citizen Bulletin) — In Matabeleland South, a rise in risky s*xual behaviors among teenagers has led to a surge in early pregnancies and s*xually transmitted infections (STIs). Morris Marupi, a village health worker from Sukwe in Gwanda South, describes the situation as deeply troubling and reflective of broader health and social issues in the region.

“It is disheartening to know that such young children are engaging in s*xual activities. Currently, two students from Sukwe Primary School are reportedly pregnant and have no clear plans for their future,” he says.

Recent statistics from the Health Management Information System (HMIS) show that 30-33% of maternal deaths in the region occur among adolescents aged 10 to 19, underscoring the severe impact of this crisis.

“Teenage pregnancies pose a significant health threat and contribute to the high rates of maternal deaths in the province,” warns Sister Mpofu, a senior nurse from Plumtree District Hospital.

Adolescent risky s*xual behaviors not only threaten maternal health but also increase the prevalence of STIs, according to health experts.

Mitchelle Ncube, a 19-year-old mother from Bezu village in Bulilima, narrates how casual s*x at just 15 years old dramatically changed her life.

“The nearest secondary school in our village is 15 km away. We would walk for over 30 minutes to get to school. Along the way, we faced many distractions, including boys and men who promised to take care of us. It seemed appealing as it meant escaping the daily trek,” Ncube explains.

“Due to ignorance, we ignored their health, education, and employment status. Their promises seemed too good to be true. We often spent entire days in the bushes, engaging in unprotected s*x.”

She continues: “Two of us fell ill after months of such practices and were taken to the clinic, where it was revealed to us and our parents that we were pregnant. It got worse when I was diagnosed with HIV and gonorrhea. That ended my education. My stepmother threw me out, insisting I find work to support my unborn child.”

Ncube adds that the father of her child disappeared upon hearing the news.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Adolescents and Youth Strategy 2023-2026 highlights the multiple challenges adolescents face.

“22% of women aged 15 to 19 have begun childbearing. Zimbabwe ranks among the countries with the highest HIV burden, with a prevalence rate of 12%. There are over 85,000 adolescents aged 10-19 living with HIV, and new infections are seven times higher among females aged 15-29,” UNICEF reports.

Marupi notes that during a 2023 community awareness campaign on teenage pregnancies, 7 out of 10 teenagers were unaware of STIs.

“The situation has worsened with the introduction of contraceptives. For many, preventing pregnancy is the top priority, while they remain unaware that they are significantly increasing their risk of contracting STIs,” he adds.

Gladys, a 16-year-old girl from Matojeni in Matobo, who was interviewed with parental consent, attributes early pregnancies and STIs to poverty.

“Our villages are severely affected by drought, leaving us with few survival options. We often rely on men who promise to buy groceries in exchange for s*x,” she says.

07/08/2024

Rampant Illegal Charcoal Production Ravages Hwange Forests

Charcoal production is decimating Hwange’s mopane forests as villagers turn to the illicit trade for livelihoods. With deforestation accelerating and law enforcement struggling to keep up, can these precious woodlands be saved?

by FAIRNESS MOYANA

HWANGE (The Citizen Bulletin) — Dotted swirls of smoke are visible for kilometers in the Matetsi settlement area, Hwange district, Matabeleland North province, as one drives along the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road.

Deep in the bush, at least three kilometers from the road, the sounds of trees being chopped echo through the afternoon air as two men hack down huge logs. These logs will soon be rolled to make a kiln before being set on fire and left to burn for two weeks. The end product: charcoal. The iconic Mopane trees are the main target for loggers, aiming to sell tons of charcoal monthly.

The indigenous Mopane tree is under siege from villagers who cut it down and burn it to extract charcoal for sale to dealers who have swarmed the district. Mopane, a hardwood, is termite-resistant and preferred for building houses, fences, and railway sleepers. The tree is also becoming popular as a heavy and decorative wood used in furniture beyond Africa.

Charcoal production is fast becoming an important economic activity in many rural areas of Hwange district, ostensibly contributing to the livelihoods of many impoverished families hit hard by economic hardship exacerbated by climate change. However, when unchecked, it can become a major driver of forest and woodland degradation.

“It is a difficult job, but at least we have something in our pockets. Life is hard for us, especially with the rains no longer reliable in this area, so we have to find the means of survival," charcoal producer who requested anonymity.

Under Statutory Instrument 116 of 2012 of the Forest (Control of Firewood, Timber, and Forest Produce) Regulations 2012, charcoal is classified as fuelwood, and anyone trading in this product without a licence can be prosecuted, with equipment used to commit these offences confiscated by the State.

As charcoal has become a substitute for electricity and liquefied gas for low-income households, the country’s forests, especially the Mopane tree, are under threat. Soaring prices of basic foodstuffs and energy are driving local communities into poverty, says Greater Whange Residents Trust coordinator, Fidelis Chima. He argues that the government needs to restore economic production and provide vulnerable communities with social security.

Poachers are targeting indigenous trees such as Msasa/Igonde (zebrawood), Mutondo/Umtshonkwe (wild mango), Musharu/Iphane (Mopane), Muanze (mountain acacia), and Mupfuti/Itshabela, which fetch higher prices on the market compared to exotic trees. However, in Hwange, it is the Mopane tree that is targeted largely due to its abundance in the area and ability to burn at high temperatures.

Villagers say the pressing economic turmoil forces them to resort to the illicit practice, arguing that they are earning a living from the charcoal business.

Jane Tshuma*, a mother of four, says she was forced into the trade due to poverty following her husband’s death.

“I was living in poverty. That’s when I started trading in charcoal production, and now I earn a good income. It pays for my children’s school fees and my daily needs such as soap and sugar.”

In this business, villagers in Matetsi and Lubangwe have gone a notch higher by venturing into extensive production where Mopane trees are felled during the day and burned using traditional kilns through the night. Charcoal—favoured for burning hotter and longer than wood—is made by heating wood without oxygen.

Investigations show that the worst affected areas in Hwange district include Matetsi, Lubangwe, Nekabandama, Chentali, Madumabisa, and Gwayi resettlement areas, where the labour-intensive charcoal-making business has become a source of living for several villagers. Charcoal may fetch a high price, but it doesn’t come cheap—the production cycle is painstaking, and women are increasingly getting involved at each stage of the charcoal value chain. One must chop trees, roll logs to form a traditional kiln, set it ablaze, and let it burn for two weeks before charcoal chips are packed into sacks for sale.

Twenty-seven-year-old Georgina* needs to walk one hour from her homestead, a resettlement, to the production site deep in the Lubangwe forest.

“It’s very tough; this job is supposed to be done by men because of the physical labuor, but now women are supporting the men to earn a living,” says Georgina. “The charcoal business is taking care of many families that otherwise could be suffering since we don’t have social security cover from the government for a time such as this when we are faced with a heatwave and drought.”