Chipinge RAC opens doors to women technicians

BY STEVE EPHRAEM

Chipinge Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (RAC) practitioners have set themselves a bold goal to bring more women into the refrigeration industry, this publication can reveal.

The commitment came to light on 16 September 2026 during the World Ozone Day commemorations held in Chipinge under the theme, “Global Action for a Cooler Planet”.

The event gave special attention to Chipinge Woman RAC structure, which is led by Buhle Bodo as Chairlady, with Fortunate Masunda as Secretary, Alquine Mashaa as Treasurer and Tendai Zvekare as a committee member.

In his keynote address, Chipinge RAC Chairperson Valentine Semwayo said his organisation is deliberately opening doors to women, with the aim of having them make up fifty per cent of the association’s membership by 2027.

During the commemoration, Chipinge Women RAC group presented a drama that highlighted the struggles they face in a trade that is still seen by many as a job for men. Their performance touched on the lack of trust from customers, sexual harassment during the search for attachments, and emotional harassment from senior technicians.

Speaking to this publication, Fortunate Masunda called on institutions to support women technicians.

“Lack of tools is seriously affecting women students. It is easy for male counterparts to do side jobs without difficulty, so their chances of acquiring tools are very high.

“The working environment is not level, as male clients tend to think of sexual abusing female technicians when they come to carry out tasks. I therefore urge institutions to donate equipment to women student technicians so as to ease the burden we are carrying,” she said.