Building a Pipeline of Purpose
The persistent gender gap in Namibia’s mining and energy sectors is sustained by unconscious bias, often formed in early childhood, which limits women’s access to equal opportunities and leaves them severely underrepresented, especially in leadership roles. While women are increasingly active across all segments, they continue to face obstacles such as insufficient mentorship and networking opportunities.
Driving Systemic Change Through Strategic Interventions
To drive systemic change, the Women in Mining Association of Namibia (WiMAN) has implemented a strategic, dual-track intervention: the Mentorship & Coaching Programme and the forthcoming STEM Clubs Programme.
WiMAN Mentorship & Coaching Programme: From Inspiration to Integration
At its heart, the WiMAN Mentorship & Coaching Programme is built on a model that combines personalized guidance with crucial leadership coaching. This intentional design recognizes and targets the specific hurdles women face in the mining industry, fostering support that leads to sustainable career growth.
The programme acts as a flagship connector, linking emerging talent (students and early-career women) with seasoned leaders throughout the value chain. By delivering structured guidance, strategic exposure, and values-based leadership, WiMAN aims to accelerate participants’ personal growth, professional readiness, and overall sectoral impact.
Outcomes: Confidence, Connection, and Career Propulsion
The programme immediately delivered tangible results. The inaugural cohort successfully signed up 11 mentees, demonstrating comprehensive reach across the industry: two mentees were from Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM), three were students, and six were from large-scale mining operations.
Twapandula Klemens, Senior Surveyor at B2Gold Namibia, is a powerful testament to this impact. The programme helped her “rediscover her confidence” and actively engage with new opportunities. Klemens realized the crucial role of external support, stating, “I realised that I don’t need to do everything alone, there are structures in place to support me, and I must make use of them.” She encouraged her peers to join: “Through the WiMAN Mentorship & Coaching Programme, you get to learn from individuals who have walked a similar path.”
WiMAN STEM Clubs: Grassroots Innovation for Sectoral Transformation
The WiMAN STEM Clubs function as grassroots incubators of innovation, targeting primary and secondary school learners aged 10 to 18. This pioneering, youth-focused initiative is designed to spark curiosity, develop critical skills, and actively challenge gender stereotypes, ultimately securing a future-ready, gender-inclusive talent pipeline for Namibia’s mining and energy sectors.
The clubs achieve this through a multi-faceted approach: providing hands-on, practical STEM learning experiences directly related to mining contexts; actively dismantling unconscious bias through inclusive role models; and boosting essential skills like problem-solving and teamwork in safe, empowering after-school spaces. Most importantly, the programme facilitates invaluable mentorship and networking by connecting these young learners with WiMAN professionals and mentees for vital career guidance and knowledge sharing.
This dedication to early-stage development aligns strategically with Namibia’s National Development Goals, supporting youth innovation and gender equity.
Synergy and Scale: A Unified Ecosystem for Empowerment
Together, the Mentorship & Coaching Programme and the STEM Clubs establish a seamless continuum, guiding individuals from early inspiration to professional integration. WiMAN’s strategic approach ensures that girls who discover STEM in school can clearly envision careers in mining, policy, and innovation and access the mentorship required to achieve them. This ecosystem is fundamental to institutional legitimacy, regional leadership, and the reimagining of Namibia’s mineral future through truly gender-inclusive innovation.
Call to Action: The Industry Invitation to Partner for Change
WiMAN extends its heartfelt appreciation to Consolidated Copper Corp (CCC) and Rössing Uranium for their generous support in funding the first cohort. This instrumental partnership set a new benchmark for empowerment within Namibia’s mining sector.
The momentum continues as the WiMAN Mentorship & Coaching Programme is set to commence its next phase in March 2026. Additionally, foundational work is underway for the WiMAN STEM Clubs, scheduled to launch in Q3 2026.
WiMAN now invites all industry players to join hands in sustaining and scaling these impactful initiatives. By partnering with WiMAN, you are making a direct investment in the development of a skilled, competent, and gender-inclusive workforce, which is an essential component for Namibia’s economic growth and competitiveness. Your contributions align directly with the country’s national economic and development goals.
Contributed by Women in Mining Association of Namibia (WiMAN)
