HARD HAT QUEEN! Filabusi woman breaks barriers in mine signage biz
Mashudu Mambo
IN a world where men rule the mines, one fearless woman from Filabusi is chiselling her name into the male-dominated industry — one safety sign at a time!
Gloyn Moyo (49) has made waves in the Insiza mining belt, not with a pickaxe or jackhammer, but with galvanised metal, warning paint, and a burning passion to save lives. She’s the brains behind a booming mine signage and billboard business, supplying safety signs to small-scale miners across Matabeleland South.
“I grew up in a mining community and always wanted to help miners,” said the gritty entrepreneur. “Instead of going underground, I decided to protect those who do.”
Moyo’s signage company, launched in 2023, is already being recognised for transforming mine safety standards in the region. Her signs — made from galvanised sheets — help reduce accidents, raise awareness, and keep miners alert in high-risk zones.
But her journey has not been all smooth digging.
“Some small-scale miners don’t understand the importance of these signs. Others take on credit and vanish,” she revealed. “Still, I push on because my heart is in it.”
Despite the setbacks, Moyo has supplied multiple mines in Filabusi and beyond, with support from progressive male allies who have embraced her mission. She even faces off against copycats in the field.
“In this business, people try to clone your work, but I stay ahead with creativity. Healthy competition keeps me sharp.”
Mrs Moyo also had a message for other women eyeing male-dominated sectors: “Be fearless. Walk tall. And never let anyone shrink your dreams.”
Her mission? To see small mines grow into fully developed operations like the legendary Epoch Mine of her childhood — complete with safe infrastructure, schools, and clinics.
With institutions like the Zimbabwe School of Mines now pushing for gender inclusivity, and organisations like Women in Mining Zimbabwe offering mentorship, the minefield is slowly opening up for more female trailblazers.
According to the World Bank (2024), only 15% of the mining workforce globally is female, but women like Gloyn Moyo are determined to blow that stat wide open — one safety sign at a time.
The post HARD HAT QUEEN! Filabusi woman breaks barriers in mine signage biz appeared first on herald.