Entrepreneurial Thinking in practice, in Zambia

One of the joys of RECIRCULATE is its interdisciplinary nature, which allow us to develop meaningful connections and engage with key societal stakeholders such as research users, industry and academia.

A powerful illustration of such interdisciplinary is the connection WP1 has established, nurtured and supported with Dr Glenda Kasonde, Head of Environment and Sustainability Assurance at KCM – Konkola Copper Mines in Zambia. Her role involves managing all environmental related issues of compliance monitoring, environmental risk assessment and environmental related projects in accordance with the national, international standard ISO 14001 and aligning these to the Equator Principles and IFC Performance Standards & Environmental, Health & Safety.

An active member of the Zambia Chamber of Mines (ZCM) HSE Committee programmes, Glenda attended the Entrepreneurship and Innovation workshop in Zambia in 2019, where we launched the Women’s Innovators Network for Africa – WINA (watch this space for the next WINA story). She visited Lancaster University, as part of the RECIRCULATE Residencies, and as a result of her successful activities and active engagement with grassroots communities, Glenda organized, on the 12^th October 2019, a local workshop in Zambia hosted by KCM. As an ambassador for RECIRCULATE, she was actively engaging powerful young ladies as part of the WINA network.

KCM CEO, Christopher Sheppard, said that he was happy that they were able to reach 100 local entrepreneurs during the workshop, which “has come at an opportune time when business are embracing innovation and sustainable growth. We hope that this can be a starting point for regular building, networking and partnership for sustainable solutions in our areas of cooperation. “Our entrepreneurial mindset should be rejuvenated every now and then. So, that you can have shock absorbers. So, that you can be able to take risk”.

As a result of such engagement with her local community, key societal stakeholders and policy makers, Glenda positioned as a highly skilled leader, thus being invited by WP1 delivery team to co-facilitate this year’s workshop in Nairobi, Kenya.

Get in touch with Glenda here glenda.kasonde@kcm.co.zm