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NANGO successfully hosted the 14th Edition of the Annual NGO Directors Summer Retreat from 23 to 25 October 2024 at Troutbeck Resort Hotel, Nyanga, Zimbabwe. This annual gathering provides a platform for CSO leaders to engage in collective reflection, experience sharing, and strategic planning to strengthen civil society in Zimbabwe. With 143 participants from across the country, this year's retreat took place against the backdrop of an evolving civic space, marked by the passage of the Private Voluntary Organisations (PVO) Amendment Bill and increasing restrictions on CSO operations.
The retreat emphasized the need for CSOs to adapt and respond to a broader spectrum of challenges, including economic instability, climate concerns such as the looming El Niño-induced drought, and rising social ills like drug and substance abuse. Discussions centered on navigating the regulatory landscape, strengthening advocacy efforts, and fostering an enabling environment for civil society. Participants also explored strategies for countering narratives that discredit CSOs while reinforcing their role in good governance and inclusive development.
As a key outcome, the retreat produced a comprehensive action agenda and resolution blueprint, outlining strategies to safeguard civic space, enhance accountability, and amplify collective impact. NANGO and its members remain committed to championing sustainable development, good governance, and the resilience of Zimbabwe’s civil society sector. This document serves as a guiding framework to drive strategic interventions and ensure a united, impactful, and empowered civil society movement in Zimbabwe.
The NGO Directors Summer Retreat, hosted annually by NANGO, is a flagship event dedicated to fostering experience-sharing, collective reflection, and co-creating innovative solutions to address challenges faced by civil society, non-state actors, and the general public in Zimbabwe. Convened in collaboration with CSOs, development partners, private sector representatives, and state actors, the 14th edition brought together 128 delegates, including local and international CSO leaders, government representatives, and key stakeholders from across Zimbabwe and beyond.
This year's retreat opened with a conference foresight session, setting the stage for engaging discussions and a shared understanding of key priorities. Over two-and-a-half days of dynamic dialogue, participants explored pressing challenges and emerging opportunities within the civic space. The first day focused on two critical sub-themes: "Reflection on the State of CSOs Operating Environment in 2024" and "Shifting Spaces for Strengthening Civic Voice and Participation." These sessions provided a platform for strategic insights and actionable solutions to enhance civic engagement and amplify civil society’s role in governance and development.
To gain deeper insights, download the full report here:
The Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act [Chapter 22:23] governs procurement processes for public entities in Zimbabwe, establishing the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe, setting out responsibilities for procuring entities and accounting officers, procurement planning and preparation, technical requirements and bidder qualifications, procurement methods (including competitive bidding, restricted bidding, direct procurement and requests for quotations), and detailed procedures for competitive and restricted bidding processes. NANGO shares this legislation as a resource for member organisations engaging in procurement processes with government or public entities, or seeking to align their own procurement practices with recognised standards of transparency and accountability. Members are encouraged to review the Act, available in full below, for further detail on its provisions.
The Labour Act [Chapter 28:01] is Zimbabwe's principal employment law, setting out the fundamental rights of employees, protections against unfair labour practices, general conditions of employment (including contracts, remuneration, dismissal, retrenchment, leave and termination), the framework for workers committees, trade unions and collective bargaining, and minimum wage regulation. NANGO shares this legislation as a resource for member organisations to strengthen understanding of their obligations as employers, including staff contracts, dismissal and retrenchment procedures, leave entitlements, and workplace rights. Members are encouraged to review the Act, available in full below, and to seek professional HR or legal advice where specific application to their organisation is unclear.
Troutbeck-Resort-Action-Agenda-and-Resolutions-Document.pdf