MOPANI HONOURS 10 VETERAN EMPLOYEES FOR OVER 4 DECADES OF DEDICATED SERVICE

Mopani Copper Mines PLC has honoured 10 veteran employees who have worked for up to 50 years at the Company, marking the first time such a recognition has been held exclusively for employees with over 40 years of continuous service.

 

The special Long Service Award Ceremony celebrated a combined 419 years of loyal and dedicated service rendered by the employees, nine of whom have served for more than 40 years, while one employee has reached the extraordinary milestone of 50 years of uninterrupted service.

 

Speaking during the ceremony, Mopani Chief Executive Officer, Eng. Charles Sakanya, described the occasion as a landmark moment in the Company’s history and paid glowing tribute to the remarkable commitment, resilience and professionalism demonstrated by the veteran employees over the decades.

 

“Today, we pause to recognise something even more remarkable – a lifetime of commitment,” Mr. Sakanya said. “40 years is not just a number. It represents thousands of early mornings, millions of underground and surface shifts, countless personal sacrifices, and a lifetime of showing up for Mopani day after day, month after month and year after year.”

 

He said the employees being honoured had played an integral role in shaping Mopani’s journey through different eras of the mining industry – from the days of Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines (ZCCM), through privatisation, and into the Company’s current chapter under shareholders International Resources Holding (IRH) and ZCCM Investments Holdings (ZCCM-IH).

 

The ceremony also paid special tribute to Mrs. Ashley Matani, who was recognised for completing an exceptional 50 years of continuous service with the Company. Mrs. Matani joined the organisation on 6th July 1976 and has served as a Personal Assistant under 13 Chief Executive Officers.

 

Mr. Sakanya, the 13th CEO during Mrs. Matani’s illustrious career, commended her unwavering professionalism, adaptability, discretion and pursuit of excellence, describing her career as an inspiration to future generations of office professionals.

 

“You have set a standard that will inspire generations of Personal Assistants and office professionals who will come after you,” he said.

 

The CEO also challenged the veteran employees to leave behind a lasting legacy by mentoring younger employees and passing on the invaluable knowledge and experience accumulated over decades of service.

 

“Experience cannot be bought. It cannot be downloaded. It cannot be learned from a book. It is earned – one day, one shift and one challenge at a time,”

Mr. Sakanya said. “Please pass that baton. Become the bridge over which the next generation of Mopani employees will cross as we continue our journey towards becoming a world-champion mine through our BEST Values.”

 

Mr. Sakanya further acknowledged the vital role played by the families of the veteran employees, thanking spouses, children and relatives for the sacrifices they made in supporting their loved ones throughout their careers.

 

“This award belongs not only to the men and women we are honouring today. It also belongs to you, their families, who stood beside them through every challenge, every success and every year,” he said.

 

The ceremony underscored Mopani’s commitment to recognising long-serving employees whose dedication, loyalty and institutional knowledge continue to form the foundation of the Company’s growth and transformation.

 

Below is the full list of the honoured veteran employees: