Mr Nyathi closed by urging participants to seriously consider standing up and actively participating in
national processes to hold leaders accountable and to benefit from contributions to national
processes ultimately leading to a place where Zimbabweans with one voice can say “NEVER
AGAIN”.
Nomfundo Mogapi, the Executive Director for the Centre for the Study of Violence and
Reconciliation (CSVR) in her remarks congratulated the people of Zimbabwe for taking steps
towards national healing and reconciliation as reflected by the enactment of the NPRC Act and the
work of different civic organisations and government including the NPRC. She pointed out that
among other issues what she called the “paradox of transitional justice in Africa”. She noted that:
There is a history of poor transitional justice policy implementation in Africa, hence the
need to draw lessons from various actors, jurisdictions and experiences to ensure that the
Zimbabwean TJ process is successful.
It is a concern that fault lines on democracy are depleting on the African continent as
interparty conflicts are increasing.
The distinction between victims and perpetrators is sometimes difficult to identify (as their
faces are sometimes similar), hence the need to craft inclusive policies that provide holistic
solutions.
Many institutions (family level for instance) that should protect victims are wounded and are
not adequately capacitated to support those who
needing protection hence the need to pay attention to
invest in building strong institutions for effective
psychosocial support services
Psychosocial support services are a critical gap in most
TJ processes particularly on families affected by
violence.
Failure to invest in healing will create intergenerational
trauma and perpetual violence.
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Ms Mogapi ended by urging Zimbabweans that “the world is
watching, Africa is watching, Zimbabweans are watching, SADC
is watching and would like to learn from Zimbabwe’s processes.
Never Again must echo in your hearts and in the hearts of your
leaders to avoid sabotage”
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Key Remarks by the Chairperson of the National Peace and Reconciliation
Commission, Retired Justice Selo Nare
The Chairperson of the NPRC, Retired Justice Selo Nare gave his key note speech by describing the
functions of the NPRC and narrowing his discussion to three key issues which are (i) Healing (ii)
Reconciliation and (iii) Forgiveness. Justice Nare asked whether;
i.
ii.
Healing is the final product of forgiveness. This means forgiveness is a precondition for
healing
Forgiveness entails memory of what happened and developing empathy on the
circumstances of the perpetrator and a shared future (freedom from revengeful actions).
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