Community Peace Clubs
Tsholotsho ward 5
Bambanani peace club carried a conflict mapping exercise in the month of July and noted that the need for water was fueling conflicts in the area. The remaining community boreholes were drying up due to drought. The Chairperson of Bambanani peace club, Village head Anzula had lots of cases before his court that involved conflicts around water. To avert this, the peace club came up with an action plan to redress the challenge. The peace club decided to organize a collaborative neutral platform (ilima) which brought together a total of 93 community members. The ilima was held on the 9th of August and it involved digging a well in Mathula village which was almost drying up. Community members welcomed the initiative by the peace club as it helped address the problem of water which was fueling conflicts in the area. Village head Anzula stressed the importance of peaceful co-existence and noted that a united community is key for development. “..We have to learn to share the little resources we have, I appreciate the message of peace spread today because it is these small conflicts if unresolved that then degenerate into open violence towards elections..we appeal to the peace club to continue spreading the peace initiatives to other areas as peace is important for development, he said.
Tsholotsho ward 8
Ukuthula peace club in ward 8 carried out a ilima in the area on the 7th of August which was aimed at rebuilding relationships in the area. The peace club had noted when it carried out a conflict mapping exercise that conflicts among tribes were prevalent. The area has three tribes namely Ndebele, Kalanga and the Khoisan. The ilima involved fencing a local crèche that offer services to children from the three tribes. At the event, Peace club chairperson, Christopher Dube highlighted the need to respect diversity among the different tribes as this was key for peace. “Let’s strive to end conflicts among tribes, for we are one community, “ he said. During the ilima, the peace club also discussed extensively on the need for healthy and sound relationships among community members as this is key to achieve peace and development in the area. The peace club also planned to engage Traditional leaders from the three tribes on the 24th of August for a community dialogue where the issue of tribal conflicts will also be discussed. The nhimbe was attended by 75 community members.
Tsholotsho ward 1
Isolezwe peace club that operates in Tsholotsho ward 1 carried out a peace awareness ilima on the 9th of August. The nhimbe involved cutting trees and grass that had obscured the road that connects two local clinics, Samahuru and Sodaka. The peace club decided to hold the collaborative platform around Samahuru because it’s the only hospital that services the local community hence it is a rallying point for the community. Peace club members took turns to remind community members on the need to promote peace, tolerance and social cohesion. Village head Ncube, who leads the peace club, also spoke on the importance of peace and unity among community members.â€..In times like these, lets be united and talk openly about issues affecting us  and try resolve them amicably . As planned in our action plan, we will convene a meeting as Traditional leaders and seek to address some of these issuesâ€, he said. The nhimbe was attended by 68 community members.
Tsholotsho ward 3
On the 10th of August, Ngamo peace club carried out a peace awareness raising nhimbe aimed at building peace in the community. The nhimbe involved digging a water trench from Ngamo primary to Ngamo secondary school. The trench will be used to connect water pipes linking the two schools. At the collaborative platform, the peace club members  took turns to raise awareness on the need for peace in the area. Villagers in attendance also got an opportunity to ask questions on the Constitutional provision Chapter 12 on Independent Commissions that support democracy. The peace club members who received training on these provisions from HZT articulated the provisions well including the much anticipated NPRC. In his address peace club leader, Village Head Ncube spoke on the need for oneness among community members as this helps build peace and bring development. The nhimbe was attended by 109 community members.
Mutoko ward 21
On the 10th of August, Kunzwanana peace club volunteered to assist in fencing a local borehole that services 8 villages in the area. The peace club utilized the collaborative neutral platform to discuss about the importance of peace in the community. Community members noted that the most dominant issue that was stifling prospects for peace in the area was the issue of unfair food aid distribution. In recent months, the area recorded high cases of unfair food aid distribution. The peace club then noted that there was need for a community dialogue with the local Councillor where the issue of unfair food distribution would be discussed. A meeting with the councillor was then scheduled for the 20th of August. The nhimbe was attended by 65 community members.
Zaka ward 22
On the 11th of August, Mutonhori peace club carried out a nhimbe at Muchokwa Primary school that involved carrying sand that was being used to construct a school block at the school. The collaborative platform was part of the peace club’s action plan after it successfully carried out a conflict mapping exercise earlier in the month of July. During the mapping exercise, the CPC noted that there was need to engage more duty bearers and rights holders in the activities of the peace club in order to spread the message of peace and social cohesion.
The nhimbe afforded villagers an opportunity to interface with their local leaders on pertinent issues that affect development and threaten peace in the area. At the nhimbe, Ward Councillor, Jeketa noted that in the past, violence had stalled development as there was no spirit of unity and oneness among community members. “…In the past, it has been difficult to work together because people had become enemies of each other but it’s encouraging that Mutonhori peace club has been initiating peace initiatives in the area. We should never allow violence to happen in our area again,†he said. Community members present also vowed to continue cultivating a culture of tolerance as this is key for the promotion of peace and development in the area. The nhimbe was attended by 150 community members.
Zaka ward 19
On the 11th of August, Jerera peace club participated in a nhimbe where they were repairing a fence at Chipezeze Primary school. The nhimbe afforded the peace club an opportunity to spread the message of peace in the area. The nhimbe was attended by 7 Village heads and ward Councillor, Imbayarwo. At the nhimbe, the peace club raised the issue of unfair food aid distribution (Government sponsored) which was fueling most conflicts in the area as many community members felt that the food distribution exercise was being carried out unfairly. Councillor Imbayarwo promised to look into the matter. He also promised that if the ward receives food aid again  in the future , he would ensure that the food is distributed fairly. The nhimbe was attended by 75 community members.
Women Safe Space for Reconciliation (WSS)
Bambanani WSS, Tsholotsho ward 5
Bambanani women safe space carried out a peace awareness raising ilima in Bambanani village which targeted women groups in the area running garden cooperatives. The nhimbe involved digging a waterhole for irrigation purposes. The nhimbe was attended by 67 women from Bambanani cooperative who hailed the initiative by Bambanani Women safe space to create relationships among women and ensuring that women in the area continue to carry out self-sustaining projects. The platform also afforded the women an opportunity to discuss pertinent issues affecting them including legging behind in terms of participating in democratic processes. The women came up with an action plan of how they are going to continue assisting each other to be proactive in local and national issues.  They also agreed to target  more women from different churches with the aim of spreading the message of peace.
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