The Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (ZIMCODD) joins the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) and workers, the world over, in commemorating the International Workers’ Day! It is worrying that this year Workers’ Day is being commemorated in the midst of a deep socio-economic crisis in Zimbabwe, worsened by neo-liberal policies being implemented under the “Austerity for Prosperity” mantra. This has caused untold suffering to the workers in Zimbabwe due to continually rising cost of living further eroding wages and salaries. Already, first days of implementation of the Austerity for Prosperity has seen massive macroeconomic recession manifesting through many tax heads being introduced targeting the citizens and the worker, skyrocketing prices of basic commodities, macroeconomic distortions and foreign exchange shortages. Historical evidence, locally, regionally and internationally proves that austerity measures are not a solution to the material conditions of the working class instead they entrenches poverty, income and other forms of inequality.
The market economy promotes labour market flexibility weakening trade unions along the way, as well as promoting the concentration of wealth in the hands of the few for example it is estimated that in 2018, the richest Zimbabwean’s wealth was worth USD1,4billion1 while the poorest was worth USD2002.
Divine Foundation Trust (DFT) is dismayed at how young girls in Chiredzi and Mwenezi District face financial challenges that result in them not affording basic sanitary towels. This often leaves them with no choice but to use old rags among other unhygienic alternatives.
The Zimbabwean government has signed the Africa Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG), a positive step towards making sure the country operates within the dictates of regional instruments. Civil society in Zimbabwe, for the past years has been engaging the government to sign and domesticate several regional and international treaties and conventions, but the move faced vast resistance as it was considered a regime change agenda.
Girl Child Empowerment of Zimbabwe (GCE Zim) works towards giving equal educational opportunities to girls through a campaign titled ‘My pad, my period, my pride’. The campaign is run through National University of Science and Technology and Great Zimbabwe University clubs.
The GCE Zim supports girls by donating stationery and re-usable sanitary pads in marginalised parts of Masvingo and Matabeleland. This assists in guaranteeing that girls do not miss lessons during their menstrual cycles.
The girls that received stationery and sanitary pads said provision of these improves their attendance and chances of excelling academically.
During the campaign at Mzinyathini High School, pupils pointed out that most of their parents are unemployed and cannot afford to buy sanitary pads. They then resort to using old clothes which leave them prone to infections. Some said they miss school for a week every month.
Siphiwe Nkawule, said, “There are schoolmates that struggle to get sanitary towels. It is very embarrassing when one does not have them.”
GCE Zim is ensures that rural commercial farmers, women in mining, marginalised and vulnerable girls and women have access to health care, fundamental human rights, safe and clean water, sanitation, shelter and food.
President Emmerson Mngangagwa has responded to concerns that were raised by over 140 Matabeleland civil society leaders who met him at the Bulawayo State House last month. The meeting engaged the presidency and government on socio-economic and developmental issues pertinent to the Matabeleland region. The civil society delegation that was led by Jennifer Williams the Director of Women of Zimbabwe Arise have received a response in a letter signed by Mrs V Mabiza the secretary for Justice Legal and Parliamentary Affairs.
Zimbabwe has twin problems which are trade imbalances (trade deficits) and fiscal imbalances (budget deficits). Shortage of FOREX and cash are not the problem but simply symptoms of the underlying and unsustainable deficits and imbalances over decades. The fact that by our own admission we have broken our own laws through borrowing way beyond legally approved limits should be a wakeup call to us as a country in general and specifically to the Monetary and Fiscal Authorities. The insistence on an exchange rate of 1:1 and hence resistance to allow a market determined exchange rate between the RTGS rate and the USD has precipitated an effervescence in the economy which if not attended to will seriously dislocate the pillars on which our economy rests.
Click the link below to read the entire call for action.
CALL FOR ACTION – CEO AFRICA ROUNDTABLE….pdf
NANGO members have agreed on the need to observe elections and monitor the pre and post-election environment. This comes after the realisation that member organisations with diverse interests can find common ground.
24 organisations that attended the membership planning meeting on Wednesday 21 March 2018 concurred that NANGO should be involved in electoral processes that have been initiated by Zimbabwe Election Commission.
There is a need for NANGO to get the true reflection of election readiness from organisations that are already observing the political arena.
The meeting also emphasised that civil society needs play a parliamentary oversight role ensuring that election reforms are discussed taking into consideration the concerns of the electorate.
NANGO director, Leonard Mandishara, said NANGO is aligning itself with key players in order to observe pre and post-elections.
“NANGO is reaching out to key players with regards to elections. This will see to the harmonisation of partners dealing with elections,” he said.
Mandishara added that coordination will make it possible for civil society to come up with a barometer that covers all election related issues including mapping of conflict hot spots especially were election violence is most likely to occur.
NANGO members that were present also agreed on the importance of continuous interaction and rejuvenation of NANGO with a particular focus on the imminent elections.
Churches have contributed tremendously to the development of Zimbabwean’s education sector. Before independence, most rural schools that provided education for black students were developed and run by churches through missionary centres. Those mission schools only received a fraction of the grants given to white schools by the colonial government. In the 1970s, the Rhodesian regime withdrew financial support from mission schools and promoted the handover of rural day schools to local councils, which often lacked a sufficient revenue base and struggled to provide education for black students
The National Association of Non Governmental Organisations (NANGO) is greatly concerned with the recent negative developments in the form of the arrest and detention of salient Human Rights lawyer, Beatrice Mtetwa, who was arrested on Sunday 17 March 2013.
The Association is calling for the urgent release of Mtetwa who was arrested by the police for her alleged obstruction of the course of justice following her rendering of legal representation to Thabani Mpofu whose residence was also raided and searched on the same day of Mtetwa’s arrest.
Mtetwa appeared before the Harare Provincial Magistrate, Marehwanazvo Gofa yesterday has since been remanded into prison to 3 April 2013 following the dismissal of her bail application filed by her lawyer, Advocate Thabani Mpofu. NANGO alludes to these serial repeated random arrests as punctuation of the heightening levels of continued attacks on Human Rights Defenders and Civil Society Organizations particularly Non Governmental Organisations.
NANGO demands government to end this escalating harassment and protect the basic human rights of all citizens in particular human rights activists and organisation especially during this very crucial moment in time when the country is anticipating a harmonized “free” and fair election. Whilst the political leadership of this country has made numerous utterances for peace and political tolerance in both print and electronic media, it is worrying to note that a lot of harassment and intolerance is being perpetrated not only by hooligans but also by the very law enforcement functionaries who are supposed to protect all citizens.
The Association urges government to respect fundamental human rights for all regardless of nationality and profession as we strive to work towards efforts for our collective social, political and economic development.
For more information and comments on this contact the NANGO Chairperson, Effort L. Ncube, on 0773 537 053
NANGO has been holding membership visits with the aim of familiarising with its members and strengthening synergies. The visits are the first of their kind and will extend to the southern, eastern and western regions.
The meetings that have been held so far are giving direction to NANGO while also bringing to the fore issues that individual members are most passionate about and what programming is expected in that regard.
The National Director, Leonard Mandishara has so far met with directors of Counselling Services Unit (CSU), ZimRights, Heal Zimbabwe, Kunzwana Women’s Association, Practical Action, Zimbabwe Association of Crime Prevention and Rehabilitation of the Offender (ZACRO), Harare Residents Trust and Legal Resource Foundation.
The heads of these organisations have concurred that 2018 is a politically complicated year as the country prepares for elections that indicate to be like none other.
CSU director, Dr Frances Lovemore, said there is need for peace champions to be present at every polling station. She also suggested that commissioners should be met so that they are furnished with details of the current political landscape in order for them to find what role they can play in ensuring peaceful, free and fair elections.
Okay Machisa, ZimRights director, asserted that NANGO has a role of liaising with various organisations so that they each find their footing with regards to impending elections.
“Organisations in each sector of NANGO have a crucial role to play during the election period. Players should not be limited to human rights and elections. With the proper engagement NANGO can even sit with humanitarian organisations and deliberate issues around elections,” he said.
Rashid Mahiya, Heal Zimbabwe director, spoke on the need to prevent electoral violence and mitigate effects of violence. He highlighted that this is an ongoing process that should not be limited to election periods.
Harare Residents’ Trust director reiterated the importance of civil society setting the tone as the nation heads for a plebiscite.
“There is need for membership development and leadership development within structures. This will prepare organisations and citizens to handle community conflict that may rise during and after elections,” said Precious Shumba.
Mandishara also met NANGO members in Gweru and Bulawayo where members presented their challenges and proffered solutions that are specific to the regions.
The member organisations encouraged NANGO to hold sector specific programs, open space within sectors to allow for more players and prioritise membership capacity development.
