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45 is All Over Zimbabwe

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Written by: John Burke

Category: 45 Years

Published: 12 April 2025

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• SA Problems
• #ZimbabweIsNotZANUPF

45 years, 45 days, 45 weeks, 45 km or 45 miles; A year long campaign

The enactment of the Private Voluntary Organisations (PVO) Amendment Bill in Zimbabwe on April 11, 2025, has indeed raised significant concerns about the erosion of democratic space. The bill, signed into law by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, grants the government extensive powers to regulate NGOs, including the ability to oversee their operations and potentially limit their activities. Critics, including civil society groups, argue it stifles independent voices and restricts freedoms of association and expression, further shrinking civic space in the country.

ON 30th May 2024 ZHRO, ROHR, CCC and ZAPU Petitioned the UK Government about the dangers within this PVO Bill READ Their Petition {HERE}

The case of journalist Blessed Mhlanga, arrested on February 24, 2025, and facing up to 45 days in pretrial detention on charges of incitement under the 2021 Cyber and Data Protection Act, underscores these concerns. His detention for interviewing a war veteran critical of the government highlights the ongoing challenges to press freedom and free speech in Zimbabwe.

The Zimbabwe Human Rights Organisation (ZHRO)’s planned petition to the UK Prime Minister on April 18, 2025, coinciding with Zimbabwe’s 45th anniversary of independence, reflects deep frustration with the lack of meaningful democratic progress. Their “What Independence?” sentiment, echoed since the 2017 Take2Zimbabwe campaign, questions the reality of freedom under the current regime. The 45km Walk to Nowhere campaign poignantly symbolizes this stagnation, portraying a nation struggling with governance, human rights abuses, and economic chaos despite decades of nominal independence.

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Walk to Nowhere 45

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Written by: John Burke

Category: 45 Years

Published: 07 April 2025

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Our Request: “On the 18th April it will be 45 years since the Independence in Zimbabwe, fought by ZIPRA and ZANLA. However very little is evident of actual independence in today's Zimbabwe. In addition, as ZHRO we have created a "Walk for Freedom" campaign since 2017 {see ZHRO Walks 2017 - today } to question what is happening in Zimbabwe.”

Update 10^th April 2025: Downing St. Police Unit have approved our PETITION delivery 13:30 FRIDAY 18th April

A Call to Action: 45 Years of Stagnation – The “Walk to Nowhere” Campaign

On 18^th April 2025, Zimbabwe will mark 45 years since its historic Independence, a hard-won victory achieved through the sacrifices of the Zimbabwe People’s Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA) and the Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army (ZANLA). This milestone should be a time of celebration, reflection, and pride in the promise of a free and prosperous nation. Yet, for many Zimbabweans—both at home and in the diaspora—the reality of independence feels hollow.

Decades of misrule, corruption, and repression have left the country in a state of stagnation, where the dreams of 1980 have faded into a "nowhere" of unfulfilled potential.

To mark this bittersweet anniversary, the Zimbabwe Human Rights Organisation (ZHRO) is launching a bold new campaign: the “Walk to Nowhere”—a combined Independence protest and a symbolic 45-mile (or 45-kilometer) walk. This initiative builds on ZHRO’s established “Walk for Freedom” campaign, which, since 2017, has seen activists cover gruelling distances—such as the 105km trek from Brighton to London—to highlight the ongoing human rights abuses and lack of democratic progress in Zimbabwe. Now, on this 45th anniversary, we invite Zimbabweans and their supporters worldwide to join us in a poignant demonstration that mirrors the nation’s journey: 45 years, 45 miles, and still nowhere near true freedom.

Read more: Walk to Nowhere 45

Part 2 Mnangagwas Failings

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Written by: John Burke

Category: Civic and Legal Failings

Published: 27 March 2025

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Further Analysis of Mnangagwa’s Policies:

This Article is a continuation of a Question of Talent within Zanu PF and their 'Administration (see previous Article CLICK HERE)

Analysing Emmerson Mnangagwa’s policies as president of Zimbabwe since November 2017 involves examining their intent, implementation, and outcomes across key areas: economic management, governance, infrastructure, agriculture, and foreign relations. The focus here is on their practical impact, drawing from observable results rather than stated goals alone, and situating them within Zimbabwe’s challenging context—marked by decades of decline under Robert Mugabe, international sanctions, and domestic political tensions.

Economic Management

Mnangagwa’s flagship economic policy, encapsulated in the “Zimbabwe is Open for Business” mantra, aimed to attract foreign investment and stabilize the economy post-Mugabe. Key initiatives include:

• Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP, 2018-2020): Led by Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube, this austerity-driven plan sought to cut public spending, remove subsidies, and introduce a new currency (the RTGS dollar, later replaced). It included a controversial 2% tax on electronic transactions to boost revenue. Implementation faltered due to public backlash—fuel price hikes in January 2019 sparked deadly protests—and persistent currency instability. Inflation soared to over 500% by 2020, eroding purchasing power.
• Currency Reforms: The reintroduction of the Zimbabwean dollar in 2019 (abandoning the multi-currency system) and the launch of the gold-backed Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) in April 2024 aimed to curb hyperinflation and black-market trading. While the ZiG has shown early signs of stabilizing exchange rates, public trust remains low due to past currency collapses, and parallel markets persist. Real GDP growth was 8.5% in 2021 (a post-COVID rebound), but it slowed to 3% by 2023, per World Bank estimates, far below the 10% annual target of Mnangagwa’s “Vision 2030” for upper-middle-income status.
• Outcome: Economic policies have failed to deliver sustainable growth or investor confidence. FDI inflows remain negligible (e.g., $340 million in 2022, per UNCTAD), dwarfed by regional peers like Zambia ($1.1 billion). Unemployment exceeds 80% informally, and poverty affects over 70% of the population, per ZimStat 2023 data. Talent in design exists—Ncube’s academic credentials suggest capability—but execution is undermined by corruption and lack of structural reform.

Governance and Political Administration

Mnangagwa promised a break from Mugabe’s authoritarianism, pledging democratic reforms and reconciliation:

Read more: Part 2 Mnangagwas Failings

As SADC Chair a progress report

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Written by: John Burke and GROK3

Category: Zimbabwe

Published: 13 March 2025

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Assessing President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s tenure as Chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) requires evaluating his leadership in advancing the bloc’s objectives, particularly in fostering regional integration, economic development, peace, and security. His term, which began in August 2024, has been marked by significant regional challenges, including conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Mozambique, energy poverty, and climate-related issues. Below is an analysis of his tenure, considering both achievements and shortcomings, while critically examining the establishment narrative.

Achievements

1. Focus on Peace and Security in the DRC
   Mnangagwa has prioritized addressing the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC, a major security crisis in the region. He has chaired multiple extraordinary summits, including the virtual summit on March 13, 2025, to discuss the deteriorating security situation. His leadership has emphasized dialogue, calling for adherence to ceasefire agreements like the Luanda Process and condemning attacks on SADC peacekeeping missions, such as those by the M23 rebel group. SADC, under his chairmanship, has also collaborated with the East African Community (EAC) to push for peace, as seen in joint summits like the one held in Dar es Salaam in February 2025. These efforts demonstrate a proactive stance on regional stability, though tangible progress in resolving the DRC conflict remains limited.
2. Response to Post-Election Violence in Mozambique
   Mnangagwa’s tenure has seen SADC respond to post-election violence in Mozambique following the October 2024 elections, where the ruling Frelimo party’s victory was contested. He has called for dialogue and respect for judicial rulings, such as the Constitutional Council’s decision, to restore stability. SADC’s readiness to assist Mozambique in consolidating democracy, as expressed by Mnangagwa, reflects an attempt to uphold the bloc’s principles of peaceful dispute resolution, even if the effectiveness of these interventions is still unfolding.
3. Infrastructure and Security Enhancements
   Mnangagwa has overseen significant steps to strengthen SADC’s operational capacity. A notable achievement is the groundbreaking ceremony for the SADC Standby Force Regional Logistics Depot in Botswana in December 2024, aimed at improving the bloc’s ability to respond swiftly to crises. This addresses past failures, such as delays in deploying forces during the 2021 Mozambique insurgency, and signals a long-term commitment to regional security, though funding challenges remain, with only $15 million of the required $45 million secured.
4. Energy Transition and Regional Development
   Under Mnangagwa’s leadership, SADC has pushed for a just transition to sustainable renewable energy, addressing energy poverty, particularly in rural areas. A summit in February 2025 saw over 500 participants from SADC member states discuss accelerating this transition, highlighting Mnangagwa’s role in advancing regional development agendas. This aligns with SADC’s broader goals of economic integration and sustainable development, though implementation challenges persist.
5. Symbolic and Diplomatic Engagement
   Mnangagwa’s chairmanship has been symbolically bolstered by gestures such as the dedication of the Africa’s Hall of Faith at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, recognizing his leadership and that of other SADC leaders. While symbolic, this reflects efforts to elevate SADC’s international profile and foster unity, though it has little direct bearing on policy outcomes.

Shortcomings

1. Limited Progress in Resolving DRC Conflict
   Despite Mnangagwa’s focus on the DRC, the security situation has continued to deteriorate, with ongoing attacks on peacekeeping missions and violations of ceasefires. The establishment narrative, as reflected in SADC communiqués, emphasizes dialogue and peace processes, but critics argue that Mnangagwa’s leadership has not translated into concrete results. The complexity of the DRC conflict, involving external actors like Rwanda (accused of backing M23) and internal governance issues, may limit SADC’s effectiveness, but Mnangagwa’s tenure has yet to demonstrate decisive action or innovative strategies beyond convening summits.

   Read more: As SADC Chair a progress report