Mr.
Bere
took
on
the
role
in
January
2020
during
a
pivotal
period
for
both
the
nation
and
the
organisation,
marked
by
shrinking
civic
space,
the
COVID-19
pandemic,
shifting
donor
priorities,
and
declining
confidence
in
people
movements.
Throughout
his
tenure,
Mr.
Bere
faithfully
and
effectively
led
ZimRights,
driving
a
turnaround
that
saw
the
launch
of
the
transformative
‘Shifting
Power
to
the
People’
strategy
(SP2P)
and
the
adoption
of
the
eight-action
zone
framework,
which
reinvigorated
the
movement.
He
re-engaged
development
partners,
restored
faith
in
grassroots
movements,
and
championed
robust
collaboration
with
global
bodies,
strengthening
the
Zimbabwe
solidarity
movement
on
various
international
platforms.
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.
The
SP2P
enabled
the
development
of
key
projects:
strengthening
ZimRights’
knowledge
resources
to
empower
communities
through
such
flagship
products
as
the People’s
Human
Rights
Manifesto,
the Annual
State
of
Peace
in
Zimbabwe
Reports,
and
the Annual
State
of
Civic
Space
in
Zimbabwe
Report.
ZimRights
also
reached
out
to
new
frontiers
of
human
rights
advocacy,
establishing
the
ZimRights
Diaspora
Chapter,
launching
the
Open
Up
Taskforce—providing
women
leadership
opportunities
within
the
human
rights
struggle—mobilising
youth
through
a
digital
activism
strategy
via
the
Youth
Zone,
and
facilitating
Persons
with
Disabilities
chapters
nationwide.
Within
the
Association,
ZimRights
implemented
a
leadership
development
programme
that
fortified
its
structures
at
the
secretariat
and
membership
levels.
These
efforts
have
cultivated
leaders
who
continue
to
make
an
impact
beyond
organisational
boundaries.
The
creation
of
the
Annual
Movement
Builders
Academy
and
the
National
Human
Rights
Leadership
Symposium
in
2023
and
2024
demonstrates
strong
trust
in
the
ability
of
Zimbabwe’s
local
communities
to
drive
the
human
rights
movement
forward.
Recognising
his
outstanding
leadership,
Mr.
Bere
received
the
NANGO
2024
Director
of
the
Year
Award,
highlighting
both
his
personal
commitment
and
the
collective
strength
of
ZimRights
as
a
movement.
As
Mr.
Bere’s
term
draws
to
a
close,
the
ZimRights
family
celebrates
his
contributions
and
wishes
him
success
in
his
future
endeavours.
In
recent
weeks,
ZimRights
leaders
have
met
with
all
the
structures
around
the
country
to
guide
a
smooth
transition.
Addressing
members
at
the
last
membership
engagement
meeting
in
Mashonaland
West,
National
Chairperson
Mr.
Takesure
Musiiwa
expressed
profound
gratitude
for
Bere’s
selfless
service,
stating
that
it
benefited
not
only
ZimRights
but
the
broader
human
rights
community.
He
paid
tribute
to
the
membership
for
their
unwavering
support,
which
keeps
the
movement
vibrant.
“We
do
not
doubt
that
Bere’s
commitment
to
human
rights
will
continue
beyond
his
tenure
as
the
National
Director.”
Said
Musiiwa,
“And
we
will
continue
to
work
together
in
other
capacities
to
advance
the
human
rights
struggle.
Once
a
human
rights
defender,
always
a
human
rights
defender.
The
roles
change,
the
struggle
continues.”
Issued
by
the
ZimRights
Information
Department
Post
published
in:
Featured