GLOBAL ZIMBABWE FORUM
1. EXECUTIVE DETAILS
NAME OF ORGANISATION:
GLOBAL ZIMBABWE FORUM
REGISTRATION NO.:
055-030-NPO
DATE OF REGISTRATRION:
19 April 2007
OFFICE ADDRESS:
4TH FLOOR NOSWAL HALL
3 STEIMENS STREET, BRAAMFONTEIN, JOHANNESBURG
2001
POSTAL ADDRESS:
P O BOX 32038
BRAAMFONTEIN 2017
TELEPHONE:
+27 11 339 3629
FAX +27 11 339 3629
E-MAIL:
zimcsoforum@yahoo.co.uk
zimdiasporaforum@gmail.com
WEBSITE:
www.zimcsoforum.org
NATIONAL CORDINATOR:
NORA TAPIWA
Cell: 079 139 3896
2. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Solomon Sox Chikohwero 072 238 9192 Chairperson
Sox_freedom@yahoo.co.uk
Doctor Ncube 072 404 9276 Vice Chairperson
dncube@yahoo.co.uk
3. WHAT IS THE FORUM
The GlobalZimbabwe Forum (hereinafter referred to as The Forum) is a coalition of about 40 Diaspora based Zimbabwean civil society organisations in South Africa. The Forum was formed in June 2005. Its mission is to advance and promote the interests of Zimbabweans in the Diaspora. The Forum is a legal entity registered as a non profit making organization in South Africa.
4. OUR VISION
As a civic organization operating in the Diaspora:
To strive for a united, democratic and prosperous Zimbabwean community in the Diaspora.
To help rebuild Zimbabwe and the social life of a democratic Zimbabwe.
5. OUR MISSION
- As a civic organization operating in the Diaspora Coordinate Zimbabweans in the Diaspora into one main Global Platform Develop institutional and leadership capacity for future development of Zimbabwe and the rest of the region.
- Create a Development Chamber to mobilize Zimbabweans in the Diaspora to engage in economic activities to be self sustainable, creating jobs for themselves and preparing for investing in a free Zimbabwe.
- Promote gender equality and women participation
- Assist in the research and combating of HIV/AIDS and other diseases
6. OUR OBJECTIVES
- Producing competent citizens
- A pool of leaders able to use development in discharging democracy
7. WHY DEVELOPMENT
Looking in the past, lack of economic development was the basis of dissent in Zimbabwe. By 1997 Civic Society Organizations came together under NCA to push for a new constitution to discipline the government to address economic malaise. But the government took over the initiative, produced something else which was rejected at the 1999 referendum. What followed was further suppression of electoral, media and democratic processes, land violently grabbed and farm workers and the poor were driven into rural areas, where they are controlled by the chiefs, headmen, police soldiers and political executioners, amid hunger, fear, deep poverty and diseases. Now 65% of the population are in rural area where they cannot determine policy or plan the future or develop.
8. PROGRESS REPORT The Forum has made successes in its efforts to build a Lasting Legacy:
8.1
We talked to senior Zimbabwean and senior South African business leaders in South Africa who encourage time specific deliverables.
8.2
We have enlisted Zimbabwean professors at 8 major universities in South Africa who have aligned as researchers.
8.3
We had a meeting with all EU consulate representatives in South Africa.
8.4
Establishing six sub-committees with broad representation
8.4.1 Advocacy Committee - Chaired by Solomon "Sox" Chikohwero, a distinguished rare freedom fighter who served under both Zanla and Zipra, majored in air intelligence. This committee is responsible for mobilization.
8.4.2 Finance Committee - Chaired by "The Baron" Luke Dzipange Zunga, chartered secretary, author of 3 books and a business person. This committee is responsible for developing business concepts which would turn Zimbabweans into business persons, operating factories and production lines competitively, to produce people would invest in Zimbabwe in the near future.
8.4.3 Global Conference Organizing Committee - Chaired by Daniel Molokele, aka Mnguni, a leading Civil Rights lawyer and holds Masters in Law. This committee is responsible for the Global Conference to be held on 7th to 9thDecember 2007 at which delegates all over the world will gather and deliberate how to change the lives of the poor Zimbabweans and SADC region.
8.4.4 Gender and HIV Committee - Chaired by Proper Ndlovu, a graduate teacher and activist. This committee aims to bring women participation to the top and dealing with HIV pandemic.
8.4.5 Information and Publicity - Chaired by Doctor Ncube, freedom fighter turned educator with Masters in education etc. This committee will embark on awareness campaign once the business is finalized, starting with the upcoming research of Zimbabwean skills database in South Africa.
8.4.6 Humanitarian Committee -Chaired by Oliver Kubikwa a human rights Activist.
8.5
The Forum engaged the South African government through the office of the Presidency which responded favourably. Foreign affairs appointed a chief director to attend to Forum issues and activities. The first meeting was held on 6 June 2007.
8.6
Established working collaboration with Mass Public Opinion Institute, South Africa directorate. The Institute headed by Professor Makina of Unisa leads the research to determine the number and skills of Zimbabweans in South Africa and elsewhere abroad. It is the institute which helped arrange a network of 8 professors who research, check our work and advise the Forum. This information is key to Diaspora development.
8.7
Held meeting with Jewish Board of Deputies, toured their humanitarian facilities in Johannesburg.
8.8
Participation in various demos with other organizations, press conferences, Radio and TV interviews, workshops, briefings etc.
8.9
The Forum secured appointment with Director of education and the meeting
had successful outcomes, with Zimbabwe teachers in specific fields now able to teach in South from 2008.
8.10
Secured meeting with Director of Business Against Crime, Dr Graham
Wright, to determine how we can help to reduce crime in South Africa. We sent a proposal document to Minister of Safety and Security on crime reducing methods.
8.11
Secured meeting with Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce and
Industry(JCCI) to establish relations and the Forum can be a member.
8.12
Discussed with NGO stakeholders in South Africa e.g. South African Human Rights Commission.
9. CURRENT PROJECTS
9.1
The Diaspora is coordinating Zimbabweans internationally and has helped to seu up the new secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland
9.2
The Diaspora is helping families in Zimbabwe in every aspect of life.
9.3
The Diaspora is conducting a research to determine how many Zimbabweans are in Diaspora.
9.4
The Diaspora is ready to train Zimbabweans to start own businesses in the Diaspora where it is possible. Training program is ready, with the help of our academics here. Advertising for the training is ongoing.
10. PROSPECTS FOR ZIMBABWE
We think for the next 5 years the play would be as follows:
- Zimbabwe Government would tell SADC mediation of:
- The need to seek new mandate - elections - so as to continue with talks
- More attention needed to organize combined elections, with constitutional changes necessary, thus there is not much time to concentrate on talks
- As things are the elections will see President Mugabe emerging victor and presents himself ready to continue negotiations.
- Negotiations take about 2 - 4 years with President Mugabe demanding rescue package before his exit, blaming the British and the west.
- Finally, he passes on to his anointed, endorsed by parliament, with 1 to 2 years to 2013 election. The anointed prepares 2013 election. The character of the anointed is unknown, but likely to retain use of state machinery to maintain an upper hand.
- The economic issues will not have been addressed, and the country will have no international rating to enable it to raise global finance, for the next 10 to 15 years.
11. WHAT HELP ON ZIMBABWEANS WANT
- The regional governments should assist Zimbabweans by reigning on the government to conduct free political activity and free elections.
- South African government and SA companies must come together to help politically and economically. South Africa has both political and economic weight in that South Africa companies own the economy of Zimbabwe. By not pressuring Zimbabwe they are prolonging the situation and refugees.
- The AU has to put pressure on Zimbabwe.
- The UN can put pressure, but key African leaders are protecting Zimbabwe.
...read further