National
The unspoken struggle: Men’s mental health in Zimbabwe
BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI
Imagine a society where men are told to “toughen up” and “be strong”, but in reality, they’re struggling to cope with depression, anxiety, and stress.
This is the harsh reality in Zimbabwe, where the suicide rate is alarmingly high, and men are suffering in silence.
We spoke with Hwange District Medical Officer Fungai Musinami, who shared a startling truth: “Men are more likely to successfully complete suicide attempts than women.
Dr Fungai Musinami
“There is this concept in our society that a real man doesn’t cry, doesn’t struggle, and has to be strong. But men also struggle with depression and anxiety, and we’ve seen men commit suicides due to financial and relational challenges.“
But why is this happening? Musinami explains, “Our society perpetuates a harmful narrative that men must be invincible. But the truth is, men are human too. They face financial pressures, relationship stress…just like women. And when they can’t cope, they’re more likely to take their own lives.”
The statistics are chilling:
– 38 suicide attempts in January and February this year at Mpilo Hospital, up from 11 in the same period last year
– 162 attempted suicide cases in 2023
– Suicide rate in Zimbabwe: 18 deaths per 100 000 people, higher than the global average and neighboring countries
It’s time to break the silence and create a safe space for men to open up, Musinami urges, “Let’s treat men who are struggling with mental health issues with the same compassion and support as women. Let’s recognize that men are not weaker for failing to cope, but rather, they need our understanding and care.”
Musinami emphasized the need for a change in approach, particularly in churches, where women’s meetings are common, but men’s mental health is often overlooked.
BY BAYANDA NKATHA
The 2024 Mine Entra conference has officially kicked off in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, with President Emmerson Mnangagwa expected to officiate the event.
The conference is being held under the theme “Unearthing Success: The Mining Value Chains, Innovation, and Industrialisation Nexus” and is expected to be a significant event in the mining industry.
President Mnangagwa arrived in Bulawayo on Wednesday afternoon, after attending the burial of national hero Colonel (Retired) Tshinga Dube at the Heroes Acre in Harare.
Mines and Mining Development Minister, Winston Chitando, will lead the proceedings, with the President expected to address the conference.
The Chamber of Mines is also expected to provide a comprehensive update on the state of the mining sector.
The industry is optimistic about the future, with mineral revenue, employment levels, and capacity utilization projected to increase in 2025.
The Mining Industry Prospects for 2025 report shows that mining executives are confident about the sector’s prospects.
“Mineral revenue is expected to increase by approximately two percent in 2024 and by around 10 percent to approximately US$6 billion in 2025 from about US$5.5 billion in 2024 on the back of improved output and some anticipated commodity price recovery in 2025.”reads the report.
Average capacity utilization for the mining industry is expected to improve, driven by key sectors such as gold, ferrochrome, and PGMs.
Employment is also expected to rise, with mining industry formal employment expected to increase in 2025.
The mining sector has also recorded a decrease in fatalities since the beginning of the year, with a significant reduction in deaths compared to last year.
However, the survey results show that there is still a need for safety and health at mining operations.
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