Greetings to you all
We had a very busy month of September with a number of activities, especially outreach programmes with rural communities in Matobo and Gwanda. October is already proving to be even busier as Masakhaneni Projects Trust (MPT) continues with community work through its premier projects, namely: Promoting Sustainable Peace through Improved Resilience and Secured Livelihoods, Enhancing the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights in Zimbabwe and Improving Participation of Women and Youth in decision Making Structures through Livelihoods. The successful implementation of all these programmes depends on the collaboration and effort of the respective communities. Local community stakeholders like councillors and traditional leaders have been very helpful indeed. Our utmost gratitude is reserved for them and of course a pat at the back to the MPT team of dedicated staff who in most cases perform their duties with exceptional dedication.
In a good year, hopefully 2017 is, October tends to be hottest as a prelude to the rainy season. Since the communities we work with eke out a living through subsistence farming the rainy reason marks the beginning of serious work in the fields and hence little time for public meetings and workshops. In anticipation of early rains it makes good planning to cover as much work now before the rains begin as households would logically switch to livelihood issues. Considering that these communities are in the dry parts of the country with very limited economic opportunities, rainfall becomes a big relief. Indeed, it is an unfortunate reality that some communities still have to rely on the unpredictable and uncontrollable weather patterns for survival and livelihood.
Our livelihood projects are motivated by our desire to improve household resilience and reduce dependency on the vagaries of climatic conditions. Livelihood projects are also practical centres for dealing with governance and gender issues. Communities in Lushumbe, and Gwandavale have been helped to set up gardening projects with pipes drawing water. MPT contributes the pipes and communities mould bricks and set up water tanks/reservoir. By actually setting up the infrastructure themselves community members not only acquire basic skills in plumbing and irrigation but get the sense of project ownership. Furthermore, it enhances community collaboration and sharing. The collaboration and shared responsibility enhances peace building and community healing, which MPT facilitates through its Promoting Sustainable Peace through Improved Resilience and Secured Livelihoods project.
Conflict management and peace building is at the very heart of MPT. The communities we are working with have experienced untold violence, suffering and abuse. Gradually communities have responded positively to peace building and healing sessions. Alas, the election season is with us once again and instead of joy to exercise their democratic right to choose their representatives and government; communities are gripped with anxiety. Previous election periods have been marred with incidences of intimidation, vote buying and sometimes violence. Political violence has unfortunately characterized elections in Zimbabwe to the detriment of development and community peace and harmony.
The constitutional reform that ushered in the 2013 Constitution of Zimbabwe was premised on the citizens’ aspiration for a democratic society which respects the rule of law. However, a progressive constitution on its own does not guarantee constitutionalism unless citizens make the constitution a living document. Our project on constitutionalism and human rights, have raised communities awareness on the Constitution of Zimbabwe, with particular focus on the Bill of Rights. It is our belief that rights holders would demand what is due to them if they are aware of their constitutionally protected rights. We shall continue with constitutional awareness efforts notwithstanding the selective and piecemeal implementation of the Constitution. Notably, the delay in the enabling legislation for the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission and the silence on devolution of power which communities are still waiting for.
Let us continue working together in building peaceful and resilient communities.