Brutalised Moyo works for peace

Alongside his now late elder brother, Remember Moyo, Khethani Sibanda and Sazini Mpofu, he was tortured and spent years in detention under inhuman conditions, accused of the murder of former war veterans leader Cain Nkala in 2001.

For many an activist, having escaped to exile would have been the best chance to start life afresh and away from politics, but for Moyo, this was a launch-pad to campaign even more vibrantly for a new and better Zimbabwe.

Moyo is Project Director at Peace and Democracy Project, which seeks to help shape a peaceful country after a democratic government has been established back home.

The PDP facilitates information distribution and mobilisation for increased participation among the millions of externally-displaced Zimbabweans on their home country issues.

Since it was established in 2003, it has become a leading Diaspora grassroots pro-democracy organization. “PDP was created in 2003 in response to a growing and increasingly alienated Zimbabwean Diaspora community in South Africa,” said the selfless Moyo.

“It aims to foster democracy, economic development, governance and to address the plight of Zimbabwean youths, many of who have fled their country into the Diaspora. Our activities seek to instill a sense of pride in Zimbabweans and to provide them with information on the latest political events back home, as a way of re-engaging them and inspiring community action that allows them to engage with other stakeholders for their eventual reintegration into Zimbabwean society.”

Moyo believes the exiles, most of whom are aged between 14 and 40, will make better future leaders in various sectors of industry, business, government departments and civil society if they are kept in the loop on events happening in their home country and equipped with leadership and social development skills.

“We started this programme with the aim of empowering these young men and women for the future. It is very unfortunate that most of those living in South Africa are disadvantaged in ways that leave them out of the political and economic decisions that affect their livelihoods,” said Moyo.

“Many of them are denied the right to vote, lack critical information on their rights. A considerable number of them are unemployed. The HIV/AIDS pandemic is also one of their major challenges, yet primary health care remains out of reach.”

PDP mainly does advocacy and has established key relationships with South African government representatives, Zimbabwean political parties and strong South African civil society organizations including COSATU.

It also provides information, capacity building, networking and outreach through social activities and outreach forums that also attract members of the South African community and bring direct engagement on issues relating to democracy.

“We spearhead active contribution of the Zimbabwean youth to the political and socio-economic development of our nation, and we identify and further the values and principles of peace building and participatory democracy among youth and student-based organisations,” added Moyo.

“We also provide for a central effective facility for all youth and student-based organisations, which functions as a resource base for advocacy, research, debate and formulation of relevant policies and laws. Our ultimate aim is to work with government departments, Parliament, other Non-Governmental Organisations, and the community in the promotion of a truly peaceful, democratic and prosperous Zimbabwe.”

The civil society organisation also trains and develops youth on social democracy, HIV/AIDS and Non-Violent struggles for democracy and Peace.

“We shall remain aligned with democratic principles as a means of laying a foundation to end the crisis in Zimbabwe, while also acting as a forum for mobilising the youth to play an integral role in restoring democracy in our country and building a peaceful and sustainable future,” said the peace soldier.

“We will continue pursuing small ideas that have a great impact on the society, as we believe it is our role as young Zimbabweans to participate and initiate activities related to our country, instead of just sitting down to mourn every day.”

As Zimbabwe prepares for what is expected to be the most important election since 1980, PDP recently launched a prayer programme that seeks a divine solution to the country’s problems.

“We are working with Diaspora churches, encouraging them to lobby for good governance and peace in the country through prayer, discussion and debates on the importance of prayer in conflict resolution. We believe that if correct information is channelled to the people at the right time, they are most likely to take positive action in contributing towards the development of Zimbabwe.”