11/05/2026
MOPANI SCHOOLS IN MINDSET CHANGE PROGRAMME
… As Mopani-Run Schools Gear Up for Term Two
MOPANI Copper Mines PLC sponsored schools came together last week for the company’s TukaChimfya Pamo (TCP) mindset change programme, ahead of the reopening of schools for Term Two.
The TCP programme, designed to align more than 14,000 employees to Mopani’s shared vision, values and expected behaviours, also extended its reach to educators.
Teachers from Mopani-sponsored schools participated in an alignment session focused on ownership, leadership, teamwork, psychological safety, responsibility, and personal growth.
Speaking during the feedback and alignment session held at the Company’s People Growth Centre at Mindola Dam, Mopani Chief Services Officer Mr Oscar Matebele said initiatives such as TCP have the potential to drive transformation not only within the workplace, but across society and the nation.
“We want you to inculcate the learnings into the learners, into the students at MCTC (Mopani Central Training Centre), so that we start building a nation going forward into the future, with a different mindset. It’s through that mindset that even the development of this country will be achieved at a different level,” said Mr Matebele.
Mr Matebele acknowledged that challenges at work are unavoidable, but stressed that solutions can be found when employees at every level take responsibility, respond with urgency, and embrace continuous improvement.
“Yes, the challenges are there, but the solutions are amongst us. In addressing the challenges, the ABCs that we’ve learnt come into play. Acting with a sense of urgency, behaving like an owner. When we behave like owners, many of these challenges are addressed. Yes, some need management’s intervention, but quite a number of them, ourselves, we are able to address,” he said.
He further encouraged participants to leave behind old habits and adopt positive attitudes, both at work and in their personal lives.
“So, through this programme, through the teachings, the knowledge that we’ve gained, I hope those old practices will remain here. As we go back to our respective places of work, we should have a changed attitude. As stated in the Bible, do unto others as we would want to be done unto us,” said Mr Matebele.
The Chief Services Officer urged teachers from the four Mopani Copper Mines PLC sponsored schools to pass on the lessons learned to learners as schools reopen on Monday, 11 May 2026.
“I would like to see the lessons learned being passed on to the learners. This programme does not only affect us at the place of work; it also affects us in our respective personal lives. There was a plea here, and it has also been the plea in some previous sessions in other operation departments, to see if this programme can be extended out into society. If we start inculcating the morals and learnings from this programme, I believe we will have a different society going forward into the future,” said Mr Matebele.
Meanwhile, Mopani Mufulira Primary School Headteacher Mrs Isabel Mwansa expressed appreciation to management for providing teachers with the opportunity to participate, describing the initiative as life-changing.
“To management, we are very grateful for this programme. You’ve heard what has been said—it is a life-changing programme. We have grown, we have been aligned, and as people that have been aligned, we pledge to do what we must, so that the communities and school communities we serve become even better. The teachers have learned a great deal, and I believe they will do what is required to take the schools to greater heights,” said Mrs Mwansa.
Manager CSR & Sustainability, Ms Lorraine Tembo, praised the teachers and their families for engaging openly and sharing ideas and solutions during the session. She said schools play a critical role in shaping communities and developing future generations.
“I would like to start by thanking the families for accepting to come today. We truly hope that you will continue to remain the support system that each Mopani employee really needs. I have seen from the naming of the two groups—‘Umwalo’ for Nkana, meaning the pillar that supports everything—everything about life is facilitated by a teacher, a trainer. It is good that we have acknowledged our role and taken time to see how the schools fit with the mining operations we work for,” said Ms Tembo.
Ms Tembo noted that the TCP mindset change programme offers an opportunity for the schools to build on their strong legacy while continuing to improve.
“I like the fact that when the presenter shared the ABCs, there was a strong emphasis on continuous improvement and commitment to ongoing improvement. These schools have been in existence for 50 years and beyond, so there are many lessons we can learn from the past. With this programme in place, there is also room to improve and make changes that preserve the legacy of being among the best schools in Zambia,” said Ms Tembo.
Mopani runs four schools, a primary and a secondary school at each of its Mufulira and Kitwe mine sites, serving surrounding communities.
