Speech by Shamiso Mtisi – Deputy Director (ZELO) Zimbabwe Alternative Mining Indaba (ZAMI) Hon Deputy Minister, Minister of State for Matebeland, Dear distinguished guest, ladies and gentlemen, 15 years ago, at Double Tree Hotel in Cape Town and on the sidelines of the Alternative Mining Indaba, I sat for lunch with Moreblessings Chidaushe. Moreblessings was […]
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 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 Tildar Nyakuni and Whitney Chinowawa (Environmental Child Rights Defenders) Our work in mining communities such as Chiadzwa and Chimanimani has given us firsthand experiences of the devastating impact of environmental degradation on children’s lives. These experiences have spurred us to keep writing and advocating for Environmental Child Rights as ECR Defenders under the […]
Land restoration, desertification and drought resilience Date of issue: 5 June 2024 Celebrating World Environment Day is a moment for reflection at the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA), a time to take stock of the work that the organization has invested into promoting environmental rights and responsible natural resource governance. This includes the management of […]
Compiled by Kudakwashe Dube The first quarter of 2024 saw the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA) hold a series of multi-stakeholder dialogues to promote responsible environmental governance in mining and peri-mining communities. Stakeholders who participated in the dialogues include community members, Environmental Management Agency (EMA), and Rural District Councils. ZELA, under the ‘Multi-stakeholder Actions for […]
Date of issue: 21 March 2024 Forests stand as vital pillars for our existence, serving as crucial components of our planet’s ecosystem. In commemoration of the International Day of Forests, ZELA joins the global community in celebrating their profound significance. Forests not only contribute to addressing pressing global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss […]
Celebrating International Women’s Day: Fostering Inclusion in Natural Resources Management DATE OF ISSUE: 8 March 2024 The Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA) joins the world in celebrating women’s achievements on this International Women’s Day 2024. However, we also acknowledge that despite the progress made towards gender inclusion and equality, a lot still needs to be […]
Compiled by Byron Zamasiya Introduction The Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA) is a public interest law organisation that uses the law to protect the environment and promote sustainable resource governance. The organisation is implementing several climate change projects which address adaptation and mitigation at local and national levels. The organisation also contributes to the national […]
Compiled by Leon Dzumbira In Zimbabwe, the question of land tenure remains complex and unresolved within the country’s legal system. Contradictions in the 2013 Constitution regarding the government’s authority over land expropriation and people’ rights to due process have allowed opaque land agreements to persist, impeding progress toward a harmonised tenure system that balances productivity […]