Guingouine — Leaving behind chic gowns and catwalks to stomp in the mud in heavy work boots, Guinean former fashion model Tiguidanke Camara has made herself west Africa’s first woman to own a mine. In the small forest village of Guingouine, in the west of Côte d’Ivoire, Camara runs a team of 10 geologists and labourers who are probing the soil for gold deposits. She readily wades into a mucky pond to help take laboratory samples. "When I was a model, I showed off for the jewellers. They have licences in Africa to provide their precious stones," says Camara amid a swarm of gnats. She does not recall any macho male resistance to her rise in an industry almost devoid of women, though amused men have been prompted on occasion to ask whose assistant she might be. "When it got too much one day, I had to produce my CEO’s ID badge!" she protests mildly. Camara says that modelling jewellery "roused my curiosity. I started to ask myself questions. What if African men or women took charge of b...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.