Stronger Together: Winners of the MI26 Community Voices Competition
As the world turns to Africa to help meet the high demand for minerals, the industry needs to ensure that mining operations consider their local communities. For this, The Impact Facility partnered with Mining Indaba, for the second year in a row, to invite mining community members, representatives of indigenous peoples in mining areas, civil society organisations, activists and visionaries to share their perspective on what is needed to ensure an equitable, inclusive and responsible mining sector that serves as an engine for community development with the goal of transforming minerals wealth into lasting, multi-generational prosperity.
The largest mining conference in Africa, Mining Indaba is a key event for professionals, investors, and industry leaders seeking to tap into Africa’s mining opportunities. Since 1994, it has focused on promoting economic growth and sustainability, providing a premier platform for networking, deal-making, and discussions on technology, sustainability, and investment in African mining.
What does the theme, “Stronger Together: Progress Through Partnership” mean for you?
Following a call for video submissions from mining community representatives and Indigenous people, outlining what the MI26 theme, “Stronger Together: Progress Through Partnership,” means to them and how it relates to their lived experience, The Impact Facility received 44 submissions from 9 countries across the African Continent from individuals showcasing their passion for transforming the sector.
A selection committee consisting of Emmanuel Umpula, the founder and Executive Director of AFREWATCH, Rita Atuti, Senior Project Officer – Extractives at Solidaridad East and Central Africa, Sonwabo Modimoeng, Winner of 2025 Community Voices Competition and CEO, Faded Black Innovations, together with colleagues from The Impact Facility and the Mining Indaba team had the privilege and the difficult task of selecting the 10 winners listed below from the submissions.
The 10 winners are being fully sponsored to attend the conference from Feb 9-12, 2026. All of their videos can be found on The Impact Facility YouTube Channel.
Dr. Estrela Cardoso
Dr Estrela Cardoso – Researcher, Adviser & Consultant, African Research Consortium (Angola)
Dr Matondo Estrela Garcia Cardoso is an ESG professional and Senior Community Social Performance (CSP) Advisor with expertise in the mining and energy sectors. She holds a PhD from Surrey Business School, where her research explored how Development Minerals can drive poverty alleviation and economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on Angola. Her career includes significant roles at the Central Bank of Angola, Sonangol, ENI, Agostinho Neto University, and Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. She has also lectured in Economics, Business, and Sustainability at the University of Surrey. Currently, she works with Rio Tinto, balancing her rotation shift with mentoring and academic research collaboration.
She has been recognised for her impact and leadership, notably being nominated to the International Women’s Forum as an international MBA alumna success story. Nominated one of the TOP 10 award winners of the Mining Indaba Community 2026 Voices programme, in recognition of impactful research and practical contributions to uplifting communities. Dr. Cardoso is passionate about sustainable development, community empowerment, and responsible resource management, aiming to bridge business performance with long-term community value through mentorship, research, and collaboration.
Panel contribution at Mining Indaba: Dr Estrela will be one of the speakers at Mining Indaba on a panel titled: Stronger Together in Practice: Building Meaningful Partnerships in Critical Mineral Communities
Date: Tuesday 10 February, 2026
Find her on LinkedIn here
Nkosi Sibanda
Nkosi Sibanda – Regional Lead, Human Rights Measurement Initiative (Zimbabwe)
Nkosi is the Regional Lead at the Human Rights Measurement Initiative where he leads work across 12 countries across Africa and is the Founder of the Center for Environmental and Corporate Accountability Research (CECAR), a youth-led CBO leveraging geospatial and blockchain technologies to advance data-driven environmental and mineral governance advocacy. He was a lead applicant in the 2024 petition against mining in Hwange National Park and has led scientific research on air pollution, with findings contributing to discussions around Zimbabwe’s Pneumonoconiosis Act. CECAR is part of the EU-funded ENABLE Consortium (2025–2027), working with over 3,000 youths and women on participatory mineral governance, and has also received support from the EU and Global Youth Mobilisation’s Youth Empowerment Fund.
Nkosi’s work has earned him awards, including 2 Environmental Stewardship and Social Impact Awards from the ESG Network Zimbabwe, as well as fellowships like the Mandela-Washington Fellowship. He is a published researcher who has worked with international institutions like the UNRISD, UNCCD, OHCHR and UNDP.
Panel contribution at Mining Indaba: Nkosi will be one of the speakers at Mining Indaba on a panel titled: Stronger Together in Practice: Building Meaningful Partnerships in Critical Mineral Communities
Date: Tuesday 10 February, 2026
Find him on LinkedIn here
Maureen Mato
Maureen Mato – M&E officer at Ziva Community Initiative (Nigeria)
Maureen Mwuese Mato is an emerging voice in community-centered development within Nigeria’s artisanal and small-scale mining sector. She works as a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEAL) Officer with Ziva Community Initiative, focusing on community engagement, accountability, and evidence-based programming.A P-FIM (People-First Impact Method) facilitator, Maureen has led community dialogues, supported gender-responsive trainings, and contributed to initiatives that promote safety, dignity, and resilience across mining communities. She is driven by a strong commitment to amplifying underrepresented voices and building partnerships that place communities at the heart of sustainable change.
Panel contribution at Mining Indaba: Maureen will be one of the speakers at Mining Indaba on a panel titled: Stronger Together in Practice: Building Meaningful Partnerships in Critical Mineral Communities
Date: Tuesday 10 February, 2026
Find her on LinkedIn here
Alpha Ntayomba
Alpha Ntayomba – Executive Director, Population & Development Initiative (Tanzania)
Alpha Ntayomba is the Co-founder and Executive Director of Population and Development Initiative (PDI) Tanzania, a national NGO working on natural resources management, responsible mining, water and sanitation, environmental education, human rights, and community empowerment. He holds a background in natural resources from Sokoine University of Agriculture and has over 15 years of experience working with civil society organizations in natural resources management and social accountability monitoring in Tanzania. Alpha is widely recognized as a responsible mining advocate, particularly in mineral-rich regions such as Geita and Morogoro, where he leads research-informed advocacy to address the socio-economic and human rights impacts of mining on underserved communities.
His work utilizes evidence-based research, community mapping tools, digital monitoring of water, sanitation and livelihoods, and strategic dialogue in efforts to engage duty-bearers and mining companies in improving services and environmental protection. He has worked on social accountability tools, digital reporting mechanisms, and capacity building among community agents of change, and collaborates with both local and international partners in responsible mining initiatives. Alpha also serves on the board of responsible mining networks such as IRMA and EPRM and contributes to gender-inclusive advocacy for artisanal and small-scale miners, including women’s rights and safer mining practices in Tanzania.
Panel contribution at Mining Indaba: Alpha will be one of the speakers at Mining Indaba on a panel titled: Stronger Together in Practice: Building Meaningful Partnerships in Critical Mineral Communities
Date: Tuesday 10 February, 2026
Yamikani Jimusole
Yamikani Jimusole – Founder, Yami Gemstone Lab & Export Ltd (Malawi)
As a gemologist and entrepreneur, Yami is committed to turning gemstones into stories of growth and opportunity for Africa.
Find him on LinkedIn here
Prisca Bahati
Prisca Bahati – Head of Communication & Advocacy at IFEDD-DRC (DRC)
Prisca believes that progress is not measured in tons of minerals extracted, but in roads repaired and access to basic social services for mining communities.
Find her on LinkedIn here
Nyasha Magwaro
Nyasha Magwaro – Mining Engineering Student at the School of Mines (Zimbabwe)
Nyasha believes that great things happen when we work alone, but breakthroughs happen when we partner. That’s where the future of mining begins
Find him on LinkedIn here
Tendai Kadye
Tendai Kadye – Metallurgical Engineering Student at the School of Mines (Zimbabwe)
As a Next Generation Leader at Women in Mining Zimbabwe (WIM Zimbabwe), and guided by their motto “Empowering young minds for a stronger mining future”, this recognition inspires her to continue championing the voices and opportunities of the artisanal and small-scale mining sector.
Find her LinkedIn here
Sapiens Ndatabaye
Sapiens Ndatabaye – Founder, Xeltis Ltd (Democratic Republic of Congo)
Sapiens believes that we have one Earth, one life, and one ultimate goal: to make the world a better place. Minerals are the backbone of our economy, and Africa, as the largest reservoir of remaining minerals, plays a key role in ensuring that anyone, anywhere, can access the resources they need, anytime.
Find his LinkedIn here
Please get in touch with us if you have any questions regarding this initiative or would like to help us increase our work around amplifying voices from mining communities and indigenous peoples affected by mining operations.
For questions, contact us at: community[email protected]
