PAMELA MACHIDHA
MIDWEEK REPORTER
ZVISHAVANE – Mimosa General Manager, Stephen Ndiyamba is a man of many talents as he took time off his busy schedule of superintending one of the biggest mining concerns in the country to pen a book.
The book entitled One Week in December is about his personal experiences as he climbed the tallest mountain on the continent Kilimanjaro (6km) found in Tanzania.
The captivating experience was held in December last year.
In this riveting tale of adventure, camaraderie, fun and triumph, Ndiyamba tells a story that is emotionally engaging bringing us to tears of joy at its climax.
The story starts with a phone call as Ndiyamba arrives at work one day. At the end of it, he finds himself – a novice hiker who is a middle aged, burly, mining executive from Zimbabwe – banding together with some work mates and adventurer seekers to take on Kilimanjaro.
The quest begins with gruelling preparation of the mind and body, and yet reality only sinks in as they arrive at the airport.
And so, begins the eight-day hike and riveting tale of how men become comrades and friends become family as the quest to summit Kilimanjaro unfolds.
This story is for everyday people who dare to do extraordinary things; much like Ndiyamba and his team members who come together on this expedition and are led and supported by the guides who protect and nurture them throughout their journey.
A travelogue filled with rich detail about the realities of an expedition many take every year, but few find words to capture the profundity of, this book will have you ready to pack your own backpack and set your heart on Kilimanjaro with the best of them.
During an interview with The Midweek Watch, Ndiyamba says preparations are at an advanced stage for the official book launch function in Harare.
“l am pleased to announce that my book has just been published on Amazon( and Kindle) and is currently being printed in Harare,” said Ndiyamba.
Ndiyamba was born in Nyazura District in Manicaland Province and did his primary education at Gurure and left to complete his primary education in Makokoba in Bulawayo.
He did his secondary education at Mzilikazi High School in Bulawayo.
In 1989 he completed his degree in Metallurgical Engineering at the University of Zimbabwe.
In January 2008 he joined Mimosa as a plant manager, rising two years later to become plant executive.
In 2014 Ndiyamba became a Senior Manager (plant) and Senior Manager Growth projects in 2016 before he becoming Head Growths Projects.
Ndiyamba was appointed general manager for Mimosa platinum Mine in 2020 after the sudden death of his predecessor Alex Mushoniwa.
