Batanai Mutasa “We are aware of the general opacity that shrouds deals between African governments and the Chinese government which makes it difficult to even access the terms of loans for accountability institutions like ours to monitor the effectiveness of the loans because [ as I mentioned in my earlier point] defaulting means you are […]
Indaba calls for just energy transition in Africa, decries political instability and environmental challenges Batanai Mutasa Convened parallel to the Mining Indaba where delegates from across Africa gathered in Cape Town to talk about investment opportunities in the industry, the Alternative Mining Indaba (AMI) emphasized the urgent need for African governments to develop transparent and […]
“Integrate VSS into mining operations to strengthen responsible mining initiatives” Mutuso Dhliwayo The Mining Indaba and Alternative Mining Indaba, held from 3-6 February in Cape Town, spotlighted the critical role of Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS) in promoting responsible mining practices. However, the discussions revealed a stark contrast in perspectives. While the Alternative Mining Indaba raised […]
Compiled by Batanai Mutasa In a significant step towards promoting responsible business practices in Zimbabwe, the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR) and the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA) recently launched the “Support a Just Transition through Responsible Business Conduct in Africa,” project. The event brought together key stakeholders, including parliamentarians, representatives from various ministries, […]
As we commemorate World Wetlands Day on 2 February, we reaffirm our commitment to the protection and sustainable management of wetlands in Zimbabwe. This year’s theme, “Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future,” resonates deeply with our shared responsibility to safeguard these vital ecosystems for current and future generations. Since ratifying the Ramsar Convention on wetlands […]
Compiled by Batanai Mutasa Publish What You Pay (PWYP) Coalition members in Zimbabwe are taking gender sensitive approaches in their call for extractive sector revenues to form the basis for development and improve the lives of ordinary citizens in the country. PWYP undertakes public campaigns and policy advocacy to achieve disclosure of information about extractive […]
Compiled by Divine Chakombera As the Ramsar Conference of Parties (COP15), which Zimbabwe will host in July 2025, fast approaches, the nation is making significant strides in preparation. In December 2024, the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA) actively participated in the Wetland Policy and Legislation Indaba, organized by the Zimbabwe Wetlands Trust and Birdlife Zimbabwe. […]
Compiled By Joyce Nyamukunda Machiri Growing up in Mutoko, Zimbabwe, I was always intrigued by the loud, booming sounds coming from surrounding quarry and black granite mines. I would ask my grandmother about them, but she all she could proffer were vague answers. To her, these noises were simply a facet of everyday life—a distant […]
Compiled by Batanai Mutasa Young people participating in the Youth Initiative for Corporate Accountability (YICA) have pledged to revive their advocacy efforts focusing on human rights, transparency, and accountability in the corporate sector. This commitment was made during a two-day training workshop organized by the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA), aimed at empowering youth to […]
16 December 2024, Geneva My name is Obert Bore, a Zimbabwean national, and I am honored to deliver this statement on behalf of: ActionAid International, Pan African Lawyers Union, Centre for Democracy and Human Rights, FIDA-Uganda, Kenya Human Rights Commission, Uganda Consortium on Corporate Accountability, Franciscans International, Lusophone Platform on Human Rights, Network of African […]