With Civil Society, No one and no place is left behind in our quest for sustainable development
Harare – Zimbabwe: The National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (NANGO) joins the rest of the world in commemorating World Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) day under the theme, “the role and influence of NGOs in advancing human rights, addressing social and environmental challenges, and achieving sustainable development goals”.
We mark this day to acknowledge the role that the NGOs are playing in contributing to the achievement of national and global human development goals such as the Agenda 2030, Universal Health Coverage (UHC), and treatment for HIV/AIDS among other things. As we are celebrating this day marked by the outstanding work done by the NGO sector in protecting and respecting fundamental human rights which embody key values in our society such as fairness, dignity, equality, and respect. Human rights are an important means of protection for us all, especially those who may face abuse, neglect, and isolation.
NANGO takes this opportunity to reflect on the significant role played by diverse Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Zimbabwe. The country’s political, social, and economic turbulence of the past two decades has challenged CSOs to be more relevant by devising approaches to address the nation’s problems while at the same time promoting people-centred development. The concept of people-centred development became popular within CSOs in Zimbabwe with the view that people must take responsibility for their development as opposed to accepting top‐down solutions from governments, donors, or even CSOs.
Today we celebrate CSOs for fostering people‐centred development by promoting ownership, inclusivity, and participation. Many of the NANGO members are engaged in policy dialogue and research, and share valuable information on sustainable and economic development. Others continue to provide development assistance or services to communities where the government
has a less comparative advantage or no resources to provide. Those involved in advocacy for economic and social justice have championed good and accountable governance and challenged institutions and individuals where their rights have been violated. Social movements continue to mobilise citizens to claim their rights and pressure for accountability and social justice. CSOs are moving with a clarion call to embrace a rights‐based approach, which seeks to alter the public’s attitude toward authorities to demand service delivery and accountability.
The work of development organisations in Zimbabwe has been essential given the country’s rising poverty levels during the economic doldrums and instability caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The recurrent natural disasters have also increased the suffering of the majority of citizens in general. The role of CSOs in building community resilience and securing livelihoods has been a welcome contribution given the challenges that the country is currently facing. Food security, access to potable water, income generation, sanitation and hygiene, and HIV awareness and treatment are among the major components of the projects that CSOs are currently implementing.
However, it is important to note that the NGO sector continues to impact our communities positively while experiencing shrinking civic space with Zimbabwe now marked as “repressed” on the CIVICUS Monitor. While our communities depend on the support of the NGOs, which in turn depend on foreign donors to support their work in those communities, we witnessed with concern the government’s 2021 proposed Private Voluntary Amendment (PVO) Bill which has great potential to further shrink civic space due to repressive clauses being proposed. The proposed Bill will see CSOs currently registered as Trusts losing their legal personality and will become unlawful entities until and only if they are registered PVOs. This presents a serious existential threat to these CSOs, especially considering that there is no transition mechanism in place.
Zimbabwe is already regarded as an insecure destination for donor funding. The proposed law will bring forth a new wave of donor flight and this will further weaken the national development agenda. There is, already, a significant decline in development partner support even if the Bill is yet to be passed. Globally, CSOs are recognised as sources of innovations and leadership development. Without vibrant CSOs, the development agenda enunciated in Agenda 2030, Vision 2030, and National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) will be difficult to achieve. The increased demand for administrative and operational requirements at the local government level, mainly Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and clearance letters presents grim operational restrictions for CSOs. Concerns noted include the exorbitant fees being charged for an organisation to be cleared and for the MoU to be processed by district councils, the cumbersome process to acquire such clearances and approvals, the non-standardisation of the procedure to acquire such clearances; and the rejection of some MoUs without clear reasons or justifications. There is, therefore, a need for an enabling CSOs operating environment.
Despite these challenges, we are proud of the results the NGO sector has achieved so far towards the betterment of the lives of the general populace. As your coordinating body, we appreciate the firmness and resilience you demonstrated in very difficult circumstances. You remain unwavering in the quest to address the various needs of the people of Zimbabwe. The NGO sector has over the years increased in numbers and roles, complementing and enhancing quality outreach for social service delivery to Zimbabwean communities in support of government initiatives and efforts, as its capacity shrank progressively over the years, compromising sustainable transformation of the country’s poor communities.
Given these experiences and challenges, the sector is in urgent need to re-organise and revitalise itself so that it plays a critical role through a well-coordinated voice in shaping policy orientation towards national development as well as issues directly impacting its operating environment. NANGO is alive to the need for a vibrant civil society that is essential to guaranteeing sustainable development as enunciated in the NDS1 and Vision 2030. The ‘Whole of Society’ approach adopted by the government recognises the role of CSOs in development. It is also imperative that the sector embrace diversity, build inclusivity, consolidate cohesion and harmony in the sector, and unite NGO voices, policies, and programmes. We reiterate the need for the sector to comply with the existing laws of the country and demonstrate accountability to demand accountability. We would like to call on the government to meaningfully engage in dialogues and consult with civil society in the quest to regulate the operations of the CSOs in the country. NANGO is ready to facilitate regular and systematic engagement meetings with the government at multiple levels to share CSOs collective results and more importantly, CSOs operating environment.
BY NHAU MANGIRAZI
Celebrating World Non-Government Organisation (NGO) Day on 27 February is one that must not be missed by any progressive citizen. As Hurungwe Community Radio Initiative, we have gained our popularity as a community-based information hub centred on social economic development where our stories have been shared by both local and international news organisations, amplifying the voice of the voiceless in community development.
The community radio was formed in January 2020 covering one of the largest districts in the country within Mashonaland West province. Hurungwe Community Radio Initiative was launched at its thrust anchored at preserving and safeguarding Shona tradition, cultural values and using radio as a driving medium. It has seen all the traditional leaders embracing the home grown project aimed at celebrating and defending the cultural values of Kore Kore people among other norms.
Just few months later, it became a member of the National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (NANGO) family and sharing its teething stages working well with traditional leaders among other stakeholders. It has worked well with NANGO, the umbrella body of NGOs, in their diversity, operating in Zimbabwe.
As we join others in celebrating this year World NGO Day on 27 February under the theme, “Significance, History and celebrations” Hurungwe Community Radio is glad to be part of the community that recognise World NGO Day.
The Hurungwe Community Radio Initiative board chairperson Joel Zilala said the road has not been easy but they are working hard to empower the communities.
‘‘Radio is a living medium and Hurungwe Community Radio Initiative has been bridging the information gap for all communities. We are glad that soon after our launch when the Covid-19 pandemic stuck, our community radio was the reliable source of information of the pandemic. We had regular talk shows with civic organisations, government officials among others. It was a prime source of credible news from grassroots level we have community based citizen journalists. As a community radio, we fought misinformation due the social media and it worked well,’’ said Zilala.
Stories are shared on social media platforms that include WhatsApp groups, Facebook, a blog among others. The stories are on forms including texts, videos, audios and it has helped communities to be well informed.
Of late, the community radio has worked well with NANGO on its programming around the district where social and development projects were discussed. It became a vehicle of social change and development agenda through engagements at community level.
‘‘It is an international day intended to honour, acknowledge, and celebrate non-profit and Non-Governmental Organisations. The day also celebrate the individuals who founded these groups and made significant contributions to society worldwide.
Hurungwe Community Radio has worked well with NANGO in implementing its various engagement forums with various stakeholders keeping them informed on National Strategy Development number 1 among others on equal access to health, education, clean water, food security road network among other social services in both rural and urban communities.
Background
World NGO Day was declared by the United Nations on February 27, 2014, as NGO Day, which has since been enthusiastically observed. Non-Governmental Organisation is any non-profit group that operates without the influence of the government.
The phrase was first used in 1945 in Article 71 of the newly created United Nations’ Charter.
‘‘NGOs, also referred to as non-profit organisations (NPOs), civil society organisations (CSOs), charitable organisations, membership organisations, charities, or third sector, are significant players in the fields of development, human rights, humanitarian aid, gender equality, the environment, and numerous other areas of public action,’’ reads the statement marking the World NGO day.
It furthers adds that the goal of World NGO Day is to raise awareness of all such organisations worldwide, to recognize those who work in this field, and to inspire others to support this worthwhile cause.
‘‘On this day each year, supporters and volunteers show their appreciation to those who work for Non-Governmental Organisations. On this day, numerous firms receive honours and significant prizes to push them on to greater productivity,’’ says the statement.
NB: The author Nhau Mangirazi is the Hurungwe Community Radio Initiative Station Manager. Mangirazi is an award winning multimedia and investigative journalist and writes for several local and international news organizations.
The National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (NANGO) joins the international community in celebrating World Radio Day on February 13th, 2023 under the theme, “Radio and Peace”. This day was established in 2011 by UNESCO to recognise the unique ability of radio to bring people together and promote peace.
Radio is a powerful tool in promoting peace throughout the country and worldwide, as it provides a platform for fostering understanding between diverse people and societies. Radio broadcasts have been used to broadcast programmes that are geared towards recognising different cultural differences and encouraging dialogue. Moreover, radio has been used to broadcast messages of tolerance, promote disarmament agreements, and report on the progress of implementing peace agreements.
Broadly, radio programming that focuses on community mobilisation and awareness-building on how to prevent and resolve conflicts can help foster cohesion and understanding among conflicting parties. Furthermore, radio dramas featuring fictional scenarios can teach conflict resolution skills, helping local communities to overcome divisive issues peacefully. Ultimately, radio is an effective way of using communication technology to spearhead positive change in regions afflicted by conflict and also, in conflict prevention in times where conflict is rife.
NANGO members leverage radio to promote peacebuilding initiatives and facilitate mediation, dispute settlement, negotiation, conflict resolution, and management within the communities they serve. They use radio to embrace diversity, foster inclusivity and strengthen cohesion and harmony by allowing people to self-represent and amplify their stories. Additionally, radio is used to amplify the voices of citizens in mainstream peacebuilding, policy, and development processes. Community radio enables inclusivity, adaptability, and resilience through targeted awareness-raising and sensitisation campaigns by CSOs with the aim of creating a more equitable and just society.
NANGO would like to recognise and appreciate the radio broadcasters and personalities including its members in the Media thematic cluster for their critical role in promoting peace and tackling some of society’s most pressing challenges. Their work in bringing radio to communities to amplify community issues has been invaluable, and we appreciate their dedication. Their work is more than needed in this period as the country head towards the 2023 general elections.
We are proud to be part of a global effort of civil society to use radio to promote peace, understanding, and tolerance. NANGO stands alongside other organisations committed to using radio to positively impact our world today and forever.
For this special occasion, NANGO challenges radio broadcasters and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to commit to developing vibrant, local radio broadcasting that promotes coexistence, reconciliation, and peace-building in all corners of the country and beyond.
The National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (NANGO) National Executive Committee (NEC) appointed Ernest Nyimai to a one-year term as the Executive Director with effect from 1 January 2023. Ernest has worked as Acting Executive Director of the association since the 1st of April 2022, when the National Board entrusted him to help lead the association through the transition period. This resulted from the unfortunate and untimely death of the former executive director, Leonard Mandishara, in February 2022.
The appointment was a result of the recognition of Ernest’s passion, significant knowledge and understanding of the association, his deep knowledge of the Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) sector, especially the civic space in Zimbabwe, and his overall performance during the transition.
“The Board was impressed with Ernest’s ability, during his acting period, to integrate the founding values of NANGO that seek to empower member organisations and build their capacity to deliver on their mandates and ensure that Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that had been elusive to achieve are on track Leaving No One Behind,” said NANGO spokesperson, Dr. Phiri.
The appointment provides continuity and stability to the NPO sector during a time of continued uncertainty, as Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) navigate the fallout from the pandemic, shrinking civic space owing to the gazetted Private Voluntary Organisations (PVO) Amendment Bill, administrative and operational issues such as clearance letters and Memorandum of Understandings among other things. Among his immediate tasks is the implementation of a three-year strategic plan, which the association expects to finalise and approve soon.
“His ability to consult and interface with all stakeholders, partners, and beneficiaries will be instrumental in advancing the NANGO Vision and Mission,” Dr. Phiri commented
“I’m honoured to have this opportunity and grateful to the staff and association for their support and guidance. Our members are at the core of what makes NANGO what it is today. I hope to do better in this new assignment and become a role model for all those who look up to me. Together, we can build an association that is fit for purpose,”
On the occasion of the 2023 official opening staff meeting where he confirmed his appointment as the Executive Director, Ernest said, “2023 is set to be another exciting year for me and the rest of the NANGO team. We are looking forward to working further on the many initiatives to deliver the best services, making NANGO an outstanding meeting place for all CSOs. To achieve this, fundraising and resource mobilisation will remain the top priority for all of us as we seek to build a million-dollar association by 2025.”
“I want to thank the NANGO staff for their continued commitment and effort. Every one of us has an important role to play in the work ahead, and I’m confident that together we will achieve great things,” said Ernest.
The National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (NANGO) is the official voluntary coordinating body of registered Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), in their diversity, operating in Zimbabwe. NANGO is registered as a Private Voluntary Organisation (PVO) under the PVO Act Chapter [17:05]. It is a non-partisan, non-profit making and non-denominational organisation mandated to strengthen the voice of NGOs for the betterment of the people in Zimbabwe. NANGO’s operations are guided by its constitution which is the supreme operational document that governs the conduct of the NANGO secretariat, board, and members.
We trust you all had a good and restful holiday and you are rejuvenated to respond to the opportunities and challenges of the year 2023. We officially resumed our operations across all regions today, the 9th of January 2023, and we are ready for yet another busy but promising year. The National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (NANGO) Board and Secretariat would like to express their profound gratitude to you for the great commitment and support demonstrated throughout the year 2022. The year 2022 was certainly a year like no other. Not only for NANGO but for all Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), 2022 was one of the most challenging years, cognisant of the experiences, complexities, and anxieties that we were subjected to owing to diverse factors, chief among them being the shrinking civic space.
On the socio-economic side, the economy has been confronted with various challenges, which include price and exchange rate instability, low investment, high inflation, multiple exchange rates, unsustainable debt levels, ineffective control of public spending, and limited structural transformation. Despite these challenges, we are proud of the results we achieved as NANGO and you, our members towards the betterment of the lives of the general populace. We appreciate the firmness and resilience you demonstrated in very difficult circumstances. You remain unwavering in the quest to address the various needs of the people of Zimbabwe.
As we begin 2023, we note that the threat of the closure of civic space is still with us with the passing of the Private Voluntary Organisation (PVO) Amendment Bill at the National Assembly. As a result, defending and improving civic space in pursuit of an enabling CSO operating environment will remain a top priority for the year. We note the need to strengthen civil society voices and enhance coordination, convening, and collaboration amongst CSOs, with the imperative to strengthen CSO impact and operational efficiencies. Improving NANGO’s value proposition to its membership as a convener and coordinating organization as well as making the NANGO brand more attractive to Zimbabwean CSOs can never be overemphasised.
This year, we also seek to further strengthen NANGO the institution to become a solid platform for advocacy, lobbying, and policy influencing in matters related to the CSO operating environment as well as national development issues. We envision an NGO sector that will increasingly converge and develop a unified voice in the quest to influence policies, laws, regulations, and funding practices that have a bearing on the civil society operating environment in the country. We aspire to better connect, convene and coordinate diverse groups of NGOs in Zimbabwe through the creation of spaces and platforms for experience sharing, mutual learning, multistakeholder engagement, linking networks, and alliances as well as strengthening civic voices.
It is equally imperative to keep the government accountable to its promises and commitments for political and socio-economic turnaround and reforms. Thus, we encourage you to play your critical role pre, during, and post-elections to ensure free, fair, credible, and peaceful elections. We encourage you to effectively contribute towards electoral integrity during the upcoming elections. However, we continue to encourage all our members to stick to our non-partisan character, remain within our mandate, and acquire the necessary accreditation to conduct elections-related work.
We are only able to achieve our vision through your continued support. Here is to a prosperous 2023! We look forward to working together in the new year.
Editorial Letter to CSOs members, Stakeholders, and Partners;
The 12th NGOs Directors Summer Retreat has been successfully held and the National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (NANGO) would like to thank you for your participation in this edition. Unlike the previous editions, the 12th Summer Retreat was highly collaborative and member-driven. Various CSOs members of NANGO were actively involved during the planning through consultations for the co-creation of the event programme, defining the content and format of the retreat, and many of them participated as discussants and panellists during the sessions covered.
This report will inform NANGO’s priority actions and operational strategies as we plan for 2023 and beyond. It also aims to allow us to share the vibrant discussions that took place during the two days of the Summer Retreat. We hope you enjoyed, as much as we did, this space for dialogue that allowed us to reconnect amongst the NANGO members, strengthen our partnerships with the private sector, share perspectives with government stakeholders, experiences, and learnings, and celebrate our diversity.
We hope to see you soon at other NANGO activities and flagship events. Remember to follow us on social media @nangozimbabwe and visit our website for more updates including upcoming events as we wrap up the year and plan for a better 2023 for the CSOs fraternity in Zimbabwe.
STATEMENT BY ZIMBABWE CSOs, Community Groups, And Individual Participants at the Zimbabwe National People’s Assembly on 23rd September 2022.
We, the representative of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) from across Zimbabwe; community groups representing the youth, women, Persons with Disabilities, ethnic minorities; economically disadvantaged groups as well as individual participants from across Zimbabwe; and who identify with the cause for social and economic justice and the value of achievement of Agenda 2030;
Note with concern about the deteriorating living conditions of the poor and vulnerable groups of people in Zimbabwe and Africa at large occasioned by a range of human factors which continue to create barriers to the realisation of development goals (including the SDGs), freedoms and fundamental rights of the people;
Note with concern progress on Agenda 2030 is under threat. In 2022, the world is not working for most people and our planet. Human rights are being ignored and millions of people are being left behind, while a few become ever richer and more powerful. The world situation is not any different from what we have back here at home in Zimbabwe with a growing income gap and deteriorating economic conditions marked by high inflation rates, low salaries, poor fiscal policies, etc.
The war in Ukraine, together with other ongoing conflicts such as that in Mozambique and Dudula Operation in South Africa among others, has led to a massive increase in the number of people facing acute food insecurity, with rising food prices making life even harder for billions of people. Zimbabwe has not been spared either as poverty levels remain relatively high even after receiving below-average rainfall this season, prices remain high, and the capacity of the social system to target and reach the poor with adequate social safety nets is constrained. the purchasing power of incomes is being eroded, putting more people in or at risk of poverty and delaying improvements in basic service delivery. The protection measures undertaken by governments to address hunger and offer livelihood opportunities lost by marginalised people during the COVID pandemic have been lackadaisical and failed to yield the imagined results.
At the same time, climate change presents a long-term threat to our shared home on this earth, with temperatures continuing to rise and extreme weather events devastating communities at the frontlines. There has been an increased risk of natural disasters with the Manicaland Province still dealing with the impacts of Cyclone Idai.
The Covid-19 pandemic pushed humanity’s resilience to the limit and continues to have vast impacts on the lives of people and the wider social, economic, and environmental fabric of our world. Hundreds of millions of people lost their jobs and income and were pushed into poverty.
These events have shone a glaring light on the persistent and underlying injustices and inequalities in our societies.
We, therefore, urge our government, African government leaders to address extreme poverty, inequality, and social exclusion in all African countries through sustainable economic models, just and equitable recovery measures as well as sustainable and effective social protection mechanisms targeting People with Disabilities, women, the youth, low wage workers, ethnic minorities and other vulnerable groups indiscriminately. We demand the abandonment of unfair and failed economic policies; exclusion of any sections of populations from mainstream development plans; debilitating austerity economic programmes; underhand, unfair, and illegal dealings with foreign business companies on Africa’s natural resources as they only fuel armed conflicts on the continent with crippling impacts on the already poor and vulnerable groups.
We call on the government of Zimbabwe and all African governments to continue to collectively address global challenges that affect access to COVID-19 vaccines, tests, and therapeutics in Africa.
We call on the Zimbabwean Government, African governments, the AU the UN, and other international stakeholders to come together and address the root causes of many of these conflicts as most of them stem from well-known causes and vested interests, including social exclusion, undemocratic governance, corruption and illegal scramble for natural resources, the nature of which in many cases extends beyond the control of the countries caught up in the conflicts.
We urge our government, and African leaders to commit to rights-focused and people-centred actions to help poor and vulnerable groups in the Region address climate adaptation challenges and increasing related losses and damages. We call on African leaders to create regional funds to increase the Region’s capacity to adapt to the effects of climate change and also to move towards a just, clean, and inclusive energy transition with a priority focus on increasing access to cheaper decentralised renewable energy, ending deforestation, reducing household energy poverty and powering key economic sectors.
We call on our government, African governments to align legislative frameworks, policy, and practice to constitutional provisions that guarantee civic and political rights. We condemn the increased cases of state-sponsored harassment and abuse targeting civil society, religious organisations, student leaders, and Human Rights Defenders, especially during election campaigns on the continent
We need to transform a system that is no longer fit for purpose, flip the script and re-imagine our planet as our shared home, respecting the fundamental rights of all people and the planet.
Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) are mobilising national people’s assemblies to ensure that the recovery must Leave No One Behind… there is still time to deliver sustainable development within the Decade of Action… if leaders in each country act for Peace, Climate, and Social Justice.
This mobilisation is part of a global movement of #PeoplesAssembly2022 organised by civil society, grassroots, and marginalised peoples and communities across the globe to raise voices and key issues to influence policies from the grassroots to global levels. The mobilisations are also part of the Global Week of Action and these demands will be sent to the Heads of State meeting for the 77th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
We are sharing the issues and our demands with the government, members of parliament, and the UN.
“End Racism, Build Peace”
The National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (NANGO) joins the rest of the world in commemorating the International Day of Peace and appeals to all people in Zimbabwe to live together in a united, kind, loving, and peaceful way.
The International Day of Peace is commemorated every year on the 21st of September and is set aside for all humanity to build a society where every individual feels safe and can flourish regardless of race. This year’s theme is “End Racism. Build Peace”.
NANGO affirms section 56(3) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe which guarantees the right to equality and non-discrimination and states that “every person has the right not to be treated in an unfairly discriminatory manner on such grounds as their race”. In this light, it is important to promote dialogue and counter hate speech by addressing the root cause of inequality.
Therefore, in commemoration of this day, the International Day of Peace offers everyone, a shared date to organise events and undertake deeds celebrating the importance of peace and democracy in realistic and useful ways. It is pertinent to appreciate that tolerance of faces is a crucial aspect of democracy and any violent actions will further limit the right of people to exercise their constitutionally protected rights of equality and non-discrimination which are guaranteed under the Bill of Rights.
Sustainable Development Goal 16 aims to “Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels”. Without peace and stability, we cannot hope for sustainable development. We are living in a world that is increasingly divided. In Africa today, some regions enjoy sustained levels of peace, security, and prosperity, while others fall into seemingly endless cycles of conflict and violence. This is by no means inevitable and must be addressed. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim to significantly reduce all forms of violence, and work with governments and communities to find lasting solutions to conflict and insecurity.
As conflicts continue to erupt across the globe, vulnerable groups, such as racial minorities, the poor, and the sick, have been impacted more than others, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Race-based discrimination in whatever form – hate speech or violence – is not tolerated by NANGO.
NANGO applauds the efforts that Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have made so far in a bid to advocate for peace and the respect of basic human rights by all especially toward ending all forms of discrimination, racism, and tribalism. We, therefore, commend the achievements garnered so far and also, aim to echo the need for CSOs to continue their work in lobbying and advocating for the respect and protection of basic human rights, especially the marginalised groups that are usually left out based on their race, gender, and ethnicity.
We say “let us resolve to strengthen harmony and togetherness in our society, which are the hallmark of peace”.
Dr Phiri ~ NANGO Board Chairperson
Peace is the basis for prosperity and progress. Through understanding, compassion, and supporting each other, we can create a peaceful Zimbabwe and world.
NANGO is the official voluntary coordinating body of registered NGOs in their diversity operating in Zimbabwe. NANGO is registered as a Private Voluntary Organisation (PVO) under the PVO Act Chapter [17:05]. It is a non-partisan, non-profit making and non-denominational organisation mandated to strengthen the voice of NGOs for the betterment of the people in Zimbabwe.
CIVICUS speaks about a proposed NGO bill and the threat it represents for Zimbabwean civil society with Ernest Nyimai, the Acting Executive Director of Zimbabwe’s National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (NANGO).
NANGO is the umbrella body of civil society organisations (CSOs) operating in Zimbabwe, mandated by its membership to coordinate CSO activities, represent the sector and strengthen its voice.
How do you think the proposed NGO bill would affect civic space in Zimbabwe?
In our view as the umbrella body of CSOs operating in Zimbabwe, the proposed Private Voluntary Organization (PVO) Amendment Bill presents the danger of further shrinking civic space should it sail through in its current form. The bill will put at further risk the fundamental freedoms that civil society is supposed to have to be able to do its work to improve people’s lives. This is due to quite significant proposed amendments that in our view are repressive.
Currently, more than 60 per cent of NANGO members are legally registered as trusts, and some are registered under Common Law Universitas. If this bill is passed as it is, they will be automatically deregistered and required to apply for re-registration under the new proposed PVO guidelines.
The PVO Amendment Bill proposes to criminalise CSOs that support, oppose or finance a political party or candidate. The clause does not clearly specify what supporting or opposing a political party or candidates entails. If a CSO opposes a party’s policy or governance practice, does this amount to opposing a political party? If a CSO gives legal support in an election challenge, does this amount to supporting a political party or candidate? This provision can be abused, especially against CSOs that work on democracy, governance and human rights issues. This provision is contrary to the right to the freedom of association provided for in section 58 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe. The imposition of harsh penalties such as imprisonment for violation of this provision without any justification or regard to civil remedies or administrative fines is grossly arbitrary.
Another reason the PVO bill can affect civic space is that it is phrased in a way that would make room for selective application during its administration. If an organisation is deemed to be operating outside its mandate, its board can be immediately suspended and an interim one can be appointed to act in its stead while a final decision is made. But procedures are not clear, so there is room for the responsible minister, the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, to arbitrarily suspend an organisation’s board due to personal interests. This kind of interference in the operation of CSOs would limit their independence and autonomy.
The PVO bill was prompted as a way to ensure compliance with Recommendation 8 of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), which requires governments to review the adequacy of laws and regulations that govern non-profit organisations so that these organisations cannot be abused for money laundering and financing of terrorism. But in my view, the government deployed an omnibus approach to pursue many other interests besides the fulfilment of FATF Recommendation 8 requirements.
The bill in fact violates the FATF’s balanced approach, which stipulates the need to maintain an enabling operating environment to fulfil FATF requirements. The government has not concluded a risk assessment indicating which CSOs are at risk of being used for money laundering and financing terrorism. This is the ideal procedure as required by FATF to ensure the application of the risk-based approach to mitigating vulnerabilities to money laundering and financing of terrorism.
How would the PVO Bill, if implemented, affect NANGO’s work?
NANGO is registered under the existing PVO Act. But if the amendment bill goes into effect, many of our members will be automatically deregistered, which will have immediate repercussions on NANGO, whose greatest strength is precisely our membership. Besides, there are various clauses that impose sanctions and restrictions in terms of programming areas and NANGO is of no exception to this potential criminalisation of CSO work.
The new legislation will also weaken our eligibility for funding due to increased government interference in the operations of CSOs. The donor agencies we work with require recipient organisations to be independent and autonomous for the purposes of grant compliance. But the implementation of the new proposed PVO Amendment bill will potentially affect our independence and limit our autonomy. Development partners and donors may decide to stop funding CSOs in Zimbabwe if they view it as becoming too risky.
As CSOs we exist to protect the rights and dignity of people. If the new bill forces many CSOs to stop operating, the vulnerability of communities they serve and human rights abuses will likely increase. We need CSOs to continue working and defending people’s rights in an enabling operating environment. CSOs promote and protect human rights, but through the increased surveillance of CSO operations by security agencies, many activists, human rights defenders and civil society members will be abducted and tortured, and the security threat will increase.
How is civil society responding to this threat?
We have used a multifaceted approach, taking advantage of the various strengths we have as a large and diverse group of organisations. In the initial stages, we tried to push back against the PVO bill in many ways, including through litigation to expose the ways in which it would violate constitutional provisions. We also assessed the bill against the core humanitarian standards that we adhere to as CSOs.
Unfortunately, the bill has nonetheless progressed, so we are currently conducting scenario planning in which the law might be passed. Most of our efforts are focused on engaging, having a dialogue and negotiating with government officials for revision of repressive clauses of the bill. The bill is currently being debated in parliament following its second reading, so we are also advocating with parliamentarians to get them to really understand how this bill is going to affect the work of CSOs and those they work with.
We are also engaging with the body that administers the PVO Act, the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, which played a key role in drafting the bill. We are trying to engage it in discussing the potential political, social and economic impacts of the bill. CSOs are a significant contributor of foreign currency in Zimbabwe: close to one billion dollars per year are coming in the form of official development assistance that is channelled towards various programmes implemented by CSOs. CSOs employ around 18,000 people. If they shut down or their activities are limited, barriers to overcoming unemployment will rise. Our desire and hope is to have an enabling instrument guaranteeing the space for civil society to continue its good work.
How can the international community help Zimbabwean civil society?
Zimbabwe is a member of various regional and continental organisations, which we have used to our advantage. We have engaged with regional and continental pressure groups, and especially the FATF, and they have shared their technical expertise on advocacy and lobbying, while also leveraging their convening power to help us engage with our government.
The international community should continue to assist us as mediators, especially in light of the hostility and limited confidence and trust between civil society and the government. It is very important that they highlight how the bill will affect the general role of CSOs in Zimbabwe. There is also politicisation of CSO work due to misinterpretation of the general role of CSOs in the national development discourse. For example, civil society has the key responsibility of holding the government accountable and advocating for people’s rights, and this bill threatens our ability to fulfil it. We need regional, continental and global organisations to help us advocate with the Zimbabwean government to ensure an enabling operating environment for civil society in line with the ‘whole of society’ approach that the government subscribes to.
Civic space in Zimbabwe is rated ‘repressed’ by the CIVICUS Monitor.
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The National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (NANGO) is concerned that our country continues to experience protracted national crisis. This crisis is characterised by continued intolerance, polarization, corruption, disregard for the rule of law, contravention of the constitution and marginalisation of vulnerable groups and communities, among other factors.
NANGO notes with great concern the government’s approach to addressing the grievances of the general citizenry and the vilification of dissenting voices that are calling for the promotion of lawfulness, tranquillity, peace, equity and fairness, inclusive and sustainable development, respect for human rights and constitutionalism. We urge the government to lend an ear to alternative voices all of which hope and yearn for a better and prosperous Zimbabwe where everyone’s dreams and aspirations are possible. The refuting of alternative voices and views demonstrated by the responses to the call by various concerned stakeholders and citizens does not project a nation that is accommodative and democratic, this undermines efforts to move towards sustainable peace and development.
The citizens and communities look forward to a nation that provides them a platform to contribute in a meaningful way to ending the current economic, social, governance, and environmental challenges we are facing. Thus, government hostilities towards citizens, reflected in its response characterised by hate speech, derogatory language, and labelling of groups and tribes, is a cause of concern.
NANGO, like many other institutions, was hopeful that the visit from the South African envoy was going to yield the much-needed mediation between the government and its people. We are taken aback that the envoy left without consulting non-state actors and other concerned stakeholders. However, we remain hopeful that the envoy will return with a refined, people-centred, and inclusive strategy.
We believe that the national crisis needs an all-inclusive and holistic approach in addressing the myriad of challenges that bedevil the country more so when poverty and hunger are on the rise and the COVID-19 pandemic is amplifying public finance management, social service delivery, and governance issues.
We note that the deteriorating economic environment characterised by a projected negative growth rate of 5 percent coupled with a galloping inflation rate amid reduced incomes has further deepened poverty and inequality indicators for the majority. Low incomes for the formally employed in both the public and private sectors have left most households with inadequate disposable income to purchase basic commodities. The informal sector, which employs the majority of people, has been heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown measures.
NANGO notes with concern the level of autonomy of the Judiciary, following the recent events that have been a reflection of how the Zimbabwean justice system has failed to induce confidence in its independence. Citizens and communities feel that the Judiciary Institutions have been used as an arm to further repress and deny citizens their constitutionally guaranteed rights. Countrywide, over the past few weeks citizens have been arrested over trumped-up charges ranging from criminal nuisance, participating in a public gathering to cause public violence, and obstructing or endangering the free movement of persons or traffic. Over half a dozen are still withheld without bail, in stark defiance of the provisions in the constitution.
We emphasize the need for all stakeholders to work together towards the dream of the Zimbabwe We Want, to this end we urge
● The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission is to urgently carry out its mandate and investigate all cases of human rights violations.
● The National Peace and Reconciliation Commission to take up its constitutional mandate and reign in state and non-state actors who continue to fan violence, conflict, disharmony, and tribalism.
● The Zimbabwe Republic Police to execute its mandate of maintaining peace and security and also ensure that perpetrators are brought to book.
● The Ministry of Home Affairs to reign in on police officers and ensure they desist from using brute force on citizens.
● The Zimbabwe National Army, which has been accused of using disproportionate force on civilians, to work towards its mission of defending the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national interests of Zimbabwe and contributing to international peace and stability.
● The Ministry of Finance and Economic Development urgently disburse the ZWL$18 billion Economic Recovery and Stimulus Package pledged by the government in May 2020. The funds should be disbursed transparently to avoid leakages due to corruption and rent-seeking.
● The Parliament of Zimbabwe and the office of the Auditor General to carry out their oversight role over the Executive as it responds to the deteriorating socio-economic environment.
● The Government to create pathways of inclusion, participation, and involvement of multiple stakeholders in solving the Zimbabwean crisis.
● The government to provide adequate social safety nets for all vulnerable groups affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and other disasters such as droughts, Cyclone Idai, and floods. The safety nets should be expanded to more vulnerable populations in urban areas and workers who in the past were considered to be resilient.
● The government to promote transparency and accountability as a way of combating corruption and promoting the efficient use of public resources.
