CLOSING CEREMONY Samukeliso Khumalo, NTJWG As the delegates prepared for the closing ceremony, they took time to tour the Joshua Nkomo museum. Dr. Ray Motsi explained the significance of tour for transitional justice processes. Ms. Samukeliso Khumalo, a member of NTJWG led the proceedings of the closing ceremony. Recap Mr. Otto Saki summarised the events of the day and appreciated the work done by the teams and NGOs from Matabeleland. He observed that the work before the NPRC and the civil society organisations would not be able to bring back the dead in any way but would certainly help in remembering them and putting closure for survivors and victims. He also noted that the organisations should not see the work on transitional justice as part of an everyday project with log frames and project proposals but as a national duty that should be done for the sake of the people of Zimbabwe. Remarks from NPRC Chairperson Retired Justice Selo Nare gave his reflections on the three days of the symposium, emphasising the need for stakeholders to carry the work forward. He noted that the NPRC was mandated by the Constitution to assist the nation in healing and he understood the urgency of the matter. The Commission was ready for the important task and counted on the support of transitional justice stakeholders. Keynote closing address T h e N T J W G C h a i r p e r s o n M r. A l e c Muchadehama delivered the key note speech in closing the symposium. He described the journey that the NTJWG has taken since its formation and what it seeks to achieve. Key to his speech was an emphasis that the NPRC on its establishment. Among the key issues identified was the outstanding issue of the need 30 to transform state institutions that have been at the fore in violating human rights in Zimbabwe. Muchadehama also noted that in all the conversations on transitional and the establishment of a national transitional justice policy, government was supposed to program itself in a way that is responsive to the needs of victims. Muchadehama questioned where the 700, 000 displaced victims after Operation Murambatsvina went to, he asked a question on when and how the lies told thus far about Gukurahundi will be corrected and new narrative told. He also lamented the death of national values and argued that these needed to be restored as a collective effort by all concerned stakeholders including the government. Alec acknowledged the presence of legislators, development partners and victims’ groups at the Symposium. He implored all of them to remain steadfast in their fight for transitional justice in Zimbabwe. Immediate Results i. The convergence of civil society leaders in Bulawayo ensured that the transitional justice debate in Zimbabwe was kept alive and kept on the radar. Different stakeholders with different mandates met and created a certain level of consensus that would ordinarily not be possible without the convening of such a big meeting. Thus, consensus building on transitional justice strategies and policies in Zimbabwe was important. ii. The bringing together of civil society leaders, international actors and government officials facilitated the drawing closer together of ordinary voices with those of the government. The presence of the NPRC, Gender Commission and Human Rights Commission at the Symposium ensured that government had an opportunity to listen in to civil society voices. This can only create unity of purpose between the government and civil society on transitional 2018 TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE POLICY SYMPOSIUM REPORT