Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. The Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights) has announced that its national director, Dzikamai Bere, will step down in December this year after serving the organisation for six years.
Bere, who assumed the role in January 2020, led the nation’s largest grassroots human rights movement through a challenging period defined by a shrinking civic space, the COVID-19 pandemic and shifting donor priorities.
In a statement, ZimRights credited Bere with steering a strategic turnaround for the organisation.
Under his leadership, ZimRights launched the transformative Shifting Power to the People strategy (SP2P) and adopted an eight-action zone framework to reinvigorate the movement.
“Bere faithfully and effectively led ZimRights, driving a turnaround that reinvigorated the movement,” the statement read.
“He re-engaged development partners, restored faith in grassroots movements and championed robust collaboration with global bodies.”
The SP2P strategy led to the development of key knowledge resources, including the People’s Human Rights Manifesto, the Annual State of Peace in Zimbabwe reports, and the Annual State of Civic Space in Zimbabwe Report.
“During difficult times of donor fatigue and wavering trust in civil society, ZimRights expanded its ecosystem, rallying international support for Zimbabwe’s human rights cause,” ZimRights said.
His tenure also saw ZimRights expand into new frontiers of advocacy.
The organisation established a diaspora chapter, launched the Open Up Taskforce to provide women leadership opportunities, mobilised youth through digital activism and facilitated nationwide chapters for persons with disabilities.
Bere’s leadership was recognised with the Nango 2024 Director of the Year Award, in what ZimRights said was testament to his personal commitment and the collective strength of the ZimRights movement.
Meanwhile, ZimRights leaders recently met with structures from across the country in Mashonaland West to guide a smooth transition and bid farewell to the outgoing national director.
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