EnviroPress Reporter
In a creative twist to its corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts, Bikita Minerals has launched a community cinema initiative aimed at promoting social awareness and behavioral change among young people. The inaugural event took place last Friday at the Lithium Community Hall, drawing over 200 students, mostly from the surrounding areas and the Bikita Minerals Primary School.
The initiative, which will see movies screened every Friday, is part of the mine’s broader community development program and is set to expand to other village halls in the district.
Welcoming the development, Bikita Minerals Primary School deputy headmaster Anisto Tachiona described community cinema as a powerful tool for social transformation.
“Community cinema serves as a mirror to society, reflecting its joys, struggles, and complexities. Through films, we witness stories that resonate with our own experiences, making us feel connected and understood,” said Tachiona.
He believes that this initiative has the potential to steer youth away from harmful behaviours such as drug abuse and early child marriages—vices that have been on the rise in many rural communities.
“As you might be aware, we have Grade 7 students who recently completed their examinations. The film screenings will keep them engaged and away from drugs and other social ills,” he said. “We urge authorities to promote films that tackle critical social issues such as poverty, child marriages, and drug abuse. Cinema can raise awareness and inspire real change.”
The cinema initiative is not only an entertainment outlet but also a cultural platform aimed at fostering inclusivity, critical thinking, and social dialogue. Bikita Minerals sees it as a way to empower young people through storytelling and to promote values that align with the community’s development goals.
Plans are already underway to extend the screenings to more village halls across the district, ensuring that more communities can benefit from this innovative approach to education and social engagement.
With this project, Bikita Minerals adds another layer to its ongoing environmental and social governance (ESG) programs, showing that responsible mining goes beyond profit—it’s also about nurturing people and building stronger communities.
