NPRC ‘s Healing, Reconciliation and Rehabilitation Department embarked on nationwide provincial consultative workshops from the 30th November 2020 ending on the 11th December 2020 in Harare. The Consultative process which kicked off in Manicaland Province moving to Masvingo on the second day followed by Midlands, Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South, Bulawayo, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West, Mashonaland Central concluding the process with Harare Province.

The consultations mark the trajectory of the Public and Private Hearings expected to be held next year after the programme had been derailed by the Covid 19 Pandemic. In her opening remarks Deputy Chairperson, Commissioner Lilian Chigwedere states, “We meet to share and agree on issues that the Commission should consider in preparation for Public Hearings, a programme that the Commission wishes to undertake in 2021.”

She reiterated the need for massive preparations to ensure the success of the programme.
Deputy Chairperson stated the objectives of the consultative workshops as follows;
• To identify key issues to be brought to the Public Hearings by Provincial Peace Committee members
• To design a structured framework plan for undertaking the Public Hearings and crafting the roadmap to steer the process.
• To appreciate conflict related issues pertaining to the work of peace building.

The National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) joins the world in commemorating this year’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence (GBV). 

This year’s UN International theme for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence is, “Orange the World: Fund, Respond and Collect.” NPRC’s theme is “End Gender Based Violence for Persons with Disabilities: Fund, Respond, Prevent and Collect.” 

The Commission in partnership with Women and Law in Southern Africa (WLSA), UN Women, Albino Trust of Zimbabwe and Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs) organised an event to mark the 16 Days of Activism against GBV.

NPRC Executive Secretary, Mrs Sibusisiwe Zembe and Deputy Chairperson Commissioner Lilian Chigwedere took time to address participants at the event which was attended by representatives from the Government, Zimbabwe Council of Churches, Parliament of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Republic Police’s Victim Friendly Unit, Development Partners, Civil Society Organisations, Disabled People’s Organisations, the media and other various organisations.

The Executive Secretary explained the mandate of the Commission and called for unity in the fight against GBV and the elimination of violence against Persons with Disabilities. NPRC Deputy Chairperson highlighted the prevalence of GBV in Zimbabwe and among persons with disabilities. She also indicated that one of the values of the Commission is “Victim Centredness” hence the protection of victims in crisis and conflicts and their welfare in general lies at the centre of the Commission’s work.

 Dr Edmos Mtetwa presented on the legal and policy framework on persons with disabilities in line with GBV highlighting the gaps, challenges and discussions.  The Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare indicated that the Government is in the process of drafting a National Disability policy and an Act to guide on GBV and sexuality.

Panel discussions elucidated the plight of Persons with Disabilities in relation to GBV,  made recommendations to alleviate the challenges and measures in place to assist victims of GBV.

NPRC encourages the nation at large to shun GBV and violence, observe peace during these 16 Days of Activism against GBV and beyond.

Preparations for a historic  NPRC  Conflict Mapping Baseline Survey are currently underway. NPRC is currently engaging stakeholders to gather views that will inform the forthcoming survey.  This week,three organisations have been engaged. These are NANGO, National Association of Youth Organisations (NAYO) and Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe. Views are gathered on conflicts during the Precolonial Period, Colonial  period,   1884 Berlin Conference to 1930 period, Early African Resistance period (1931 to 1950s), Second Chimurenga Struggles ( 1950s to 1979) and the Post Independence period.

The National Peace and Reconciliation Commission invites all PRAZ and UNDP registered companies to make a firm offer for the provision of the following services: – 

• ICT Accessories and Equipment
• Motor Vehicle Maintenance  

Download the RFQs from the links below for more information.

RFQ CCTVs

RFQ AIRCONDITIONERS

RFQ COMPUTER BLOWERS

RFQ HARDWARE FIREWALL

RFQ TYRES

RFQ BATTERY

RFQ FUEL

RFQ MAJOR SERVICE

The National Peace and Reconciliation Commission invites all registered companies to make a firm offer for the provision of the following services: – 

• Office Provisions (Mineral Water, Drinks, Sugar, etc)
• Office Stationery (Bond paper, Cartridges etc)

Download the copies of the RFQs from the links below

RFQ Office Stationery

RFQ Office Provisions

The National Peace and Reconciliation Commission invites all registered companies to make a firm offer for the provision of the following services:-

• Branded Cameraman Jackets
• Temporary Name Tags (IDs)

For more information download the REQUEST FOR QUOTATION document.

The National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) is structured along thematic areas
which inform the programs undertaken in 2019. These are Research and Knowledge Management;
Complaints Handling and Investigations; Healing, Reconciliation and Rehabilitation; Victim
Support Gender and Diversity, and Prevention and Non-Recurrence with support departments
namely Finance, Administration and Human Resources; Media and Communications; Legal
Services; Audit, Information, Communication and Technology and Monitoring and Evaluation.
The activities conducted under each of the programs in the reporting year are outlined in the report;
suffice to note that the work was aimed at achieving the strategic outcomes of; enabled processes
and frameworks for addressing legacies of violent conflicts through inclusive healing efforts; a
positive and legal environment for peace; improved architecture for conflict prevention at national
and subnational levels; and enhanced national capacities for sustaining peace, healing and
reconciliation.

You can download the full report here: NPRC 2019 Annual Report

The National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) is one of the five Independent
Commissions supporting democracy. It was established in terms of Chapter 12, Part 6, and
Section 251 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 20) Act, 2013. It was
operationalised through the promulgation of the National Peace and Reconciliation
Commission, Act (Chapter 10:32). This is the Inaugural Annual Report of the NPRC for the year 2018.

You can download the full copy here: 2018 NPRC Annual Report

The world commemorates International Day of Peace on Monday, the 21^st of September 2020, under the theme ‘Shaping Peace Together’. On the 30^th of November 1981, the United Nations General Assembly resolved to establish the International Day of Peace, initially set to be observed every third Tuesday of September each year. Two decades later in 2001, the 21^st of September was designated as the day to commemorate the call for global harmony, strengthening the ideals of peace and non-violence, alleviation of conflicts and cessation of intra and inter-state hostilities. The International Day of Peace provides a universal period for all mankind to make a pledge to peace; even despite our unique differences and to contribute to building a culture of unity, tolerance and harmonious co-existence.

At each annual commemoration, the United Nations Secretary General pronounces the commemorative theme which becomes the commonly shared agenda for all nations to mobilize and support the need for peace. The theme for the 2020 International Day of Peace; ‘Shaping Peace Together’; has been so decided in recognition of the fact that amidst the ravaging Covid-19 pandemic which has thrown the whole world into turmoil, we are reminded more than ever before that what affects one part of the globe can easily spiral into every other corner. We should therefore work in solidarity with each other; collaborating efforts and cooperation across borders, sectors and our demographic divide to deal with arguably one of the worst global health crisis.

This commemoration is ominous, coming; in the case of Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi and parts of Zambia; against the preceding year’s devastating natural disaster in the form of Cyclone Idai. At last year’s International Day of Peace tribute, aptly themed, ‘Climate Action for Peace’, we were reminded, as we do again this year, that natural disasters and pandemics pose a significant threat to community, national and global peace. In times like these, there is significant multiplication of tensions not least of which include competition for scarce resources; mistrust between citizens and institutions; livelihood insecurities; domestic and gender based violence; civil and political unrest; complaints related to enforcement; cross border and inter-state tensions; criminal related incidents and cases of stigma and discrimination all of which can easily become drivers of conflict.

The cry for peace is a global desire, expressed through many treaties and national laws. The Charter of the United Nations is clear on the need to pursue pacific ways of dealing with disputes (Article 33) and has set up infrastructures to support peaceful resolution of conflicts. Also among the United Nations’ life changing objectives as expressed in Sustainable Development Goal 16 is the call for the promotion of peace, justice and strong institutions. Article 23 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights affirms the need to strengthen peace, solidarity and friendly relations. This is reinforced in the Africa Agenda 2063: ‘The Africa We Want’; whose Aspiration 4 yearns for ‘…strengthening mechanisms for securing peace and reconciliation at all levels’. The Southern African Development Community’s Treaty correspondingly emphasises the importance of solidarity, mutual understanding, good neighbourliness and peaceful settlement of disputes among its commitments to peace.

The Founding Values and Principles of the Constitution of Zimbabwe in Section 3(2)(j) and the National Objectives in Section 10 enjoin the State, every person, institution and agencies of government to work towards promoting national unity, peace and stability. The Constitution goes on the lay the groundwork for the democratic participation of every Zimbabwean in peace building and resolution of conflicts by setting up the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) among whose key functions include resolving past, present and future potential conflicts (Section 252). The country’s development strategy, the Transitional Stabilization Program recognises the importance of national cohesion; promotion of unity across the country and healing wounds of the past. This presents an opportunity to foster healing, reconciliation and harmony; tolerance of one another and extending mutual cooperation among different political parties, thus setting the necessary tone for tolerance and co-existence among people of diverse opinions.

The absence of peace comes at a cost to individuals, societies and nations. Conflicts sometimes not only result in loss of lives and breakdown of relationships but there are significant economic, social, developmental, political and even environmental setbacks that come with unresolved conflicts. Oxfam International notes that between 1990 and 2005, there were 23 active conflicts in Africa, and a total of US$284 billion was lost in the process, which money could have been used on health care, sanitation and other human development needs for the countries. According to the Institute for Economics and Peace; the annual global cost of containing violence was US$475 billion between 2017 and 2018. The global economic impact of violence was US$14 trillion in 2018, equivalent to 11.2% of global GDP or US$1853 per person. Without doubt, even in the absence of financial quantification, Zimbabwe has suffered significant financial losses which can be directly or indirectly linked to conflicts.

The 2020 commemorations of the International Day of Peace thus provide an opportunity to re-energise the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission’s vision for a peaceful Zimbabwe for all generations which it seeks to achieve by uniting all Zimbabweans and transitioning from a conflictual past to a peaceful and harmonious future. This is an onerous responsibility but nonetheless not insurmountable. Zimbabwe carries a burden of past conflicts, some of which stand in the way of achieving national unity and cohesion. This has resulted in marked levels of polarization, antagonism and disharmony. The rallying point which the NPRC Act [Chapter 10:32] Section 6(2)(b) strongly advocates for, is for every Zimbabwean, and institutions in like manner, to join hands in being agents of peace and reconciliation for our nation to move forward.

The National Peace and Reconciliation Commission is mindful of the importance of ‘Shaping Peace Together’ as we commemorate the International Day of Peace. Various efforts have been put towards the inclusion of women, men, youths, people with disabilities, political parties, traditional leaders, faith based society, veterans of the liberation struggle, academia, the media, labour, business, government and civic society institutions, among others, in supporting the cause for peace and unity in Zimbabwe. The Commission is buoyed by the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 of 2000 which actually reinforces the pivotal role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, peace negotiations, peace-building, peacekeeping, humanitarian response and in post-conflict reconstruction. Inclusive infrastructures for peace are being developed at national and subnational levels to ensure that together as Zimbabweans, we work towards a united, reconciled, healed and cohesive nation.

Zimbabweans from all corners have pleaded for people of all affiliations to unite; reduce polarization; minimise hate speech against each other; respect traditional values of Ubuntu; celebrate our dynamism, differences and preferred affiliations; reduce divisive political and natural resource based conflicts; secure closure over past national conflicts and restore trust and confidence in public institutions. In the same manner that we are collectively unified in weathering the Covid-19 storm, we can equally ‘Shape Peace Together’ by uniting towards creating a better and peaceful Zimbabwe for all generations. As the 2014 Nobel Prize winner Malala Yousafzai says, ‘Let us bring equality, justice, and peace for all. Not just the politicians and the world leaders, we all need to contribute. Me. You. It is our duty.’ The unifying call by the late Cde John L. Nkomo makes the compelling plea for us to cherish that ‘Peace begins with me; peace begins with you; peace begins with all of us.’

Stay safe, put on your mask, observe physical distancing, sanitize and help shape peace together!

By: Joseph Mashingaidze