PamojaCMA

Following the official release of the Pamoja Declaration at the #PamojaAfricaStrategy and #PamojaLaunch, Ndalama Bwalya of the @TheCBUOfficial, Zambia's Student Union, engaged with the media as the Pamoja Youth spokesperson and shared her thoughts on the necessity of the Pamoja movement in this moment, as well as the importance of inclusivity, developmental rights, and empowerment that the movement strives to foster. Listen to her response to media questions in the video below, an read the official Pamoja Declaration here: sarwatch.co.za/wp-content/upl… @climatenewsrom @zccinzim @ActionAidZim @CNRG_ZIM @RuralYoungWomen @CANZIM11 @greengovzw1 @HakiRasilimali @ZELO_Infor #Pamoja #Solidarity #JustTransition #SustainableMining #CriticalMinerals #EnvironmentalJustice #Youth #YouthLeadership #AfricanSolidarity

At the #PamojaAfricaStrategy & #PamojaLaunch, young leaders from across the continent reminded us that Gen Z are not only the leaders of tomorrow – they are the leaders of today. In the youth-led session on “Youth Leadership in the Critical Minerals Era: From Mobilisation to Influence,” participants committed to mobilising in colleges, schools and youth structures through awareness raising and engagement with authorities with a simple message: mining in Africa must generate real wealth, serve the needs of its people and pass on a livable world to future generations. On the podium were: • @hunzviSimba, Advocacy in Action, Zimbabwe • Dalma Mazivila, @AlternactivaMZ, Mozambique • Patrick Balabala, League for Transparency in the Extractive Sector, DRC • Ndalama Bwalya, Students Union, @cbu_zambia, Zambia The young leaders highlighted a major contradiction that must be addressed immediately: highly educated youth remain excluded from mining and critical mineral value chains, from jobs and ownership of wealth. Fields such as engineering, chemistry and geology need skilled young Africans who can bring innovation, homegrown research and new economic energy into the mining sector and associated renewable energy value chains. They also emphasised the social power of youth, whose voices have shaped political and social movements across Africa—from Kenya to Uganda, Nigeria and Mozambique. Harnessing this energy is essential to building a Just Transition and sustainable mining future for the continent. As Dalma Mazivila from Alternacitiva, Mozambique, said: “Youth need to take a seat at the decision-making table. To do that, we must engage with climate change and critical minerals, because this is the new reality Africa is facing. By protecting our resources and our people, we can make a real difference in our communities and future generations.” The youth voice has pronounced itself. As noted by Ndalama Bwalya of the Copperbelt University, Zambia's Student Union: Africa’s critical minerals era must include youth leadership, youth employment and youth voices in decision-making. Ndalama is also committed to popularising the Pamoja Declaration and mobilising tech-savvy youth across the continent through social media and digital platforms, including X, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok and AMAP. @climatenewsrom @zccinzim @ActionAidZim @CNRG_ZIM @RuralYoungWomen @CANZIM11 @greengovzw1 @HakiRasilimali @ZELO_Infor #Pamoja #Solidarity #JustTransition #SustainableMining #CriticalMinerals #EnvironmentalJustice #Youth #YouthLeadership #AfricanSolidarity

At the #PamojaAfricaStrategy and #PamojaLaunch, participants called for stronger solidarity with Indigenous peoples and frontline communities affected by mining. As one participant noted, “If Africa does not define a Just Transition for itself, it will continue to be defined for us.” Faith leaders emphasised the need to amplify community voices, while advocates highlighted the systemic exploitation of Indigenous lands and called for fair compensation and stronger protection of community rights. Discussions also stressed inclusion—ensuring women, youth, and persons with disabilities are represented in decision-making and benefit-sharing in the mining sector. The Pamoja CMA Declaration reaffirmed key priorities: end forced displacement, protect ancestral lands and livelihoods, ensure transparent and equitable benefit-sharing, and place frontline communities at the centre of Africa’s Just Transition. Pictured: • Nzira De Deus, Executive Director of Forum Mulher • Anthony Williams, Indigenous First Nation Advocacy South Africa • Alan Herbert Onyango, Kenyan Disability Rights Advocate • Reverend Suzzane Matale, Africa Methodist Church • Reverend Wilfred Dimingu,@zccinzim #Pamoja #Solidarity #JustTransition #CriticalMinerals #EnvironmentalJustice #Collaboration #WomenVoices #FaithBased #AfricaMining

Dr Godfrey Kanyenze, Executive Director of the Labour and Economic Development Research Institute of Zimbabwe (LEDRIZ), delivered a keynote at the #PamojaAfricaStrategy & #PamojaLaunch session on “Social Movements and People’s Power: Connecting the Struggles and Amplifying Voices for Justice in Mining and Energy Systems.” Drawing on his work on “dual enclavism,” Dr Kanyenze stressed that Africa’s underdevelopment stems from structural distortions rooted in colonial extraction and neoliberal globalisation. He argued that strong, united social movements — bringing together labour, faith groups, youth, women, and persons with disabilities — are essential to push governments toward beneficiation of minerals and other natural resources as a pathway to equitable industrialisation and inclusive development. His message was clear: transforming this reality requires organised people’s power. He called for movement unity, evidence-based advocacy, and Africa-first mineral strategies that prioritise beneficiation, decent work, regional value chains, and community-centred development. As the race for critical minerals accelerates, the question remains: Will the energy transition reproduce enclave economies under a green label, or can people’s movements reshape it to advance equitable resource-based industrialisation? The Pamoja Declaration captured this call, committing to mobilisation grounded in Pan-African thinking, equitable resource-based industrialisation, and transformative social change for the dignity of African people. To read more on Dr. Kanyenze's keynote speech, follow the link to Spiked Media's article: spikedmedia.co.zw/pamoja-connect… #Pamoja #CriticalMinerals #JustTransition #AfricanMiningVision #PeoplePower #PanAfricanism