and maintaining memorial parks or by declaring national memorial days to honour the lives of those concerned. A good example of the latter is the annual commemoration of Heroes’ Day in Zimbabwe. > Case study / Memorialisation and ritualisation programme of the Heal Zimbabwe Trust A local non-governmental organisation (NGO) and member of the Peace Building Network of Zimbabwe (PBNZ), Heal Zimbabwe Trust, launched a memorialisation and ritualisation programme in 2009 as a way of according dignity both to the survivors of and political activists who were murdered during the 2008 presidential run-off. The programme sought to at least give the affected families and communities moments to bury and mourn their loved ones with decency. It also made the communities clearly realise the harm that was caused among them by violent electoral campaigns. The memorialisation programme was initiated against a background of political activists being illegally arrested and detained, brutally assaulted, raped, and publicly insulted, among other gross human rights violations. It was clear that, during the course of such political upheavals, the social fabric of the communities had been severely torn. Those who were murdered were hurriedly buried and their families barely consoled. Most were buried by less than 20 people, which is very rare in a peaceful environment – especially in rural areas. In 2009, most perpetrators were still roaming freely and the victims were still grappling with the horrors that they had experienced. The then Organ on National Healing, Reconciliation and Integration (ONHRI), which was the only ray of hope for the victims at the time, was facing internal challenges regarding the scope of its mandate. However, Heal Zimbabwe Trust contributed to the programme by providing approximately 250 tombstones. It also facilitated the unveiling of tombstones (at Kurova Guva ceremonies). These ceremonies constitute a traditional practice, especially in the Shona culture where community members come in numbers to remember, and to reflect on, the life of their departed fellow. The ceremonies also allowed family members to vent their emotions. It was discovered that, for about 90% of the families assisted, it was in fact their first opportunity to gather as a family mourning its family members. For instance, in Murehwa, a son whose parents were murdered for not disclosing his whereabouts openly stated that this was his first time that he had visited his home since the death of his parents. This man went into hiding after he learnt that activists were intent on taking his life. Some community members advised youths to refrain from violence during the memorialisation processes. In Gokwe North, a pastor pledged to include messages of peace in all of his sermons. A local traditional leader in the same area also promised to deal effectively with all perpetrators of violence. Memorialisation in the instances mentioned therefore served as a vital tool in promoting community healing. At national level, memorialisation is rooted in the Heroes’ Day commemorations at the national, provincial and district Heroes Acre shrines that commemorate the lives of those who died after contributing immensely to the struggle for independence. In situations of gross human rights violations, memorials become a non-adversarial way of delivering restorative justice that brings together those most affected by the criminal acts concerned. Memorialisation further allows for the offender, the victim and community 22 Community Healing: A training manual for Zimbabwe