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.
