This month marks one year since I began my journey at the Southern Africa Trust. When I joined, I was both excited and anxious. I wondered how my “radical” ideas, my curiosity about new ways of working with social movements, and my appetite for risk
I read with interest the article “The End of the Age of NGOs?How Civil Society Lost Its Post–Cold War Power by Professors Sarah Bush and Jennifer Hadden and the critique by Florian Irminger’s provocation “End NGOs: Only Authoritarians Win”. The two write ups, incisive in
In Zimbabwe’s protracted crisis, exhaustion has emerged as a powerful tool of authoritarian control. This analysis explores how systemic fatigue undermines civil society’s effectiveness through a personal lens, examining the intersection of political economy, human rights, and mental health in human rights defense work. The
I recently participated in the G20 Civil Society Kickoff meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa, on October 15-16, 2024. This gathering marked the inception of civil society engagement for South Africa’s upcoming G20 presidency in 2025. The event was a significant opportunity to analyse the complex
On the 16th of March, the Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (ZIMCODD) launched the #TakeActionZW Campaign as the sequel to the impactful and much recognized #HowFar campaign it started in 2021. I have been privileged to be leading ZIMCODD and learning in leaps and
Given the increased dependence of many African countries on mineral wealth driven by the spiraling demand for critical minerals, a cure for the cancerous corporate tax dodging is urgently required. The adoption of a resolution by the UN calling on the UNGA to begin negotiations
Recently, I had the privilege of attending an anti-kleptocracy workshop in Nairobi, which emphasized the importance of collaboration between civil society organizations in the fight against kleptocracy. For those who are unfamiliar, kleptocracy is a system of government where those in power use their positions
I recently participated in the 2nd African Social Movements Baraza, in Johannesburg South Africa organised by Trust Africa, CAPSI and the Wallace Global Fund. I felt at home being amongst the brave, outspoken and determined activists belonging to different social movements in Africa. The activist in me
The Covid-19 pandemic came, it ravaged the world and still it lingers on. The worst scenario predicted for poor but resource rich Africa never materialised, South Africa was the only outlier but the scourge did not reach the deadly proportions anticipated. What began as a
I have been privileged to have been involved with the work of social movements since the beginning of my young adulthood years. It all started when I was a student at the university fighting for my socio-economic rights. Then, as a student, I was solely