CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE (1) The part twelve months have again been a very difficult time both for Zimbabwe and the Legal Resources Foundation so it is a measure of achievement that we got through the year. The economy has continued to decline, pushing more people into poverty and increasing the number needing the services of non-governmental organisations such as the LRF. On the political front the focus has been more on internecine battles within political parties than on governing the country to try to get it out of its decline. The cash crisis that developed in 2016 made doing business more difficult and more expensive. Despite the many challenges faced, this report illustrates well the LRF’s ongoing commitment to assisting marginalised communities and its successes in raising awareness of legal issues as well as enabling people to use their new knowledge to obtain redress when their rights have been obstructed. One of the strengths of the LRF over the past 31 years is that it has been rooted in the community and has earned people’s trust and confidence. Sadly the changes in the international humanitarian field have seen diminishing resources available and the LRF during the coming year will have to reduce its national footprint. All efforts will be made to do this in such a way as to minimise the impact and it is coming at a time when there is growing focus on the importance of making quality legal aid available for the indigent. The 22 magistrates’ courts being built, with support from the Danish Government and the LRF as Fund Manager, all have a legal aid office within the building and the LRF is working with other legal aid providers to develop a comprehensive system of providing legal services at the courts. The Board was deeply saddened by the untimely passing on 28 April 2016 of the Chairman, Makausi Thomas Makonese, a renowned human rights lawyer. He was the founding director of LRF Masvingo, established in 1991. When he stepped down from many years of wise leadership in that role in 2010 he joined the LRF Board of Trustees and was elected Chair of the Board in March 2016. He was a much respected and valued colleague and mentor who is sorely missed by the LRF and the wider legal fraternity I wish to thank my fellow Trustees for their support and I commend the management and staff of the LRF, who have soldiered on during the difficult months and individually and collectively ensured that the LRF delivered on its mandate. I am confident that the LRF will continue to play its vital role in the coming year. Murray McCartney CHAIRMAN 7