The National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (NANGO) proudly announces the return of its flagship event, the NGO Expo and Winter School, set to take place from July 25-27, 2024, at the Zimbabwe International Book Fair, Harare Gardens. This year’s event is hosted under the compelling theme: “Amplifying the Role, Impact, and Contribution of NGOs towards Inclusive and Sustainable Development in Zimbabwe.”
The NANGO Northern Region Winter School will run concurrently with the NGO Expo from July 25-27, 2024, at the Zimbabwe International Book Fair in Harare Gardens. This platform offers NGOs the opportunity to amplify their roles, impact, and contributions while identifying gaps and opportunities for joint advocacy and collaboration with other key stakeholders. It also allows exhibitors to engage with the public, promoting a better understanding of local needs and fostering an environment of mutual learning and capacity building. The event is expected to attract over 50 NGOs in the Northern Region and several other stakeholders, including the private sector, Independent Commissions, and government departments. The Northern Region covers Mashonaland East, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland West, and Harare Metropolitan.
The NGO EXPO and Winter School is more than just an event; it is a transformative opportunity to reshape public perception and showcase the significant contributions of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Zimbabwe. NGOs across the region will gather to interface directly with key stakeholders, including government officials, donors, and the public. This platform is essential for NGOs to foster meaningful connections, build trust, and amplify their voices in the face of increasing scrutiny and misinformation.
At the EXPO, NGOs will present their innovative projects and community impacts through various mediums, including presentations, demonstrations, and interactive displays. Attendees will have the chance to witness firsthand the diverse roles NGOs play in society, ranging from grassroots development initiatives to policy advocacy and humanitarian relief efforts. This is an unparalleled opportunity to engage with the dynamic work being carried out by NGOs and to understand the profound impact these organizations have on communities across Zimbabwe.
In recent years, NGOs have been the target of misinformation and disinformation campaigns aimed at discrediting their efforts. The NGO EXPO provides a crucial space for NGOs to address and counter these falsehoods by presenting evidence-based narratives. Through interactive and engaging displays, NGOs will debunk myths, clarify their mission, and demonstrate their positive contributions to society. This initiative is vital for promoting accurate information about the role and impact of CSOs and for dispelling the misconceptions that have clouded public perception.
In the context of a shrinking civic space, the NGO EXPO serves as a platform for NGOs to assert their legitimacy, share success stories, and advocate for an enabling environment that supports their work. By highlighting their contributions to inclusive and sustainable development, NGOs can advocate for policies and practices that protect and promote the space in which they operate. This aspect of the EXPO underscores the importance of a vibrant and active civil society in fostering democratic governance and social progress.
One of the key objectives of the NGO EXPO is to facilitate meaningful connections between NGOs, stakeholders, and the public. By bringing together a diverse array of participants, the EXPO creates an environment conducive to collaboration and partnership-building. These interactions are essential for NGOs to build trust, secure support, and work collectively towards common goals. The event will feature networking sessions, panel discussions, and collaborative workshops designed to enhance engagement and foster lasting relationships.
Join Us in Celebrating Transformative Work
By attending the NANGO Northern Region NGO EXPO and Winter School 2024, you contribute to an empowered civil society, resilient communities, and a thriving Zimbabwe. Your participation supports the narrative shift, showcasing the indispensable role of NGOs in driving inclusive and sustainable development. This event offers a unique opportunity to engage with the impactful work of NGOs and to be part of a collective effort to advance social progress and development.
The event has been cleared by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) for security purposes, ensuring a safe and engaging experience for all attendees. We invite media practitioners and the public to join us in celebrating the transformative work of NGOs and exploring the dynamic landscape of civil society in Zimbabwe. This event promises to be a vibrant and informative event that highlights the essential contributions of NGOs to national development.
Contact Information:
For media inquiries, please contact our communications department at info@nangozim.org or +263 783 074 241.
NANGO is a coalition of Non-Governmental Organisations in Zimbabwe, dedicated to creating a conducive environment for NGOs to operate effectively and contribute to national development. NANGO provides a platform for collective action and advocacy, amplifying the voices of its members and promoting sustainable development. Through its efforts, NANGO aims to empower civil society and foster resilient communities that thrive in a democratic and inclusive Zimbabwe.
#ChangingTheNarrative
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.
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.
