Harare
The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom has been working in Zimbabwe since 1980. It has witnessed firsthand the dramatic changes that took place in Zimbabwe from the very beginning and supported the work of civil society organisations in times of crisis.
The work of the Foundation focuses on re-establishing the rule of law, liberal democracy and a free market economy, which have been virtually destroyed by the repressive regime currently in power.
The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom in Harare advocates the protection of the remaining democratic and constitutional liberties with the aim of expanding these once political change has taken place.
News
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"Dear countrymen, fellow journalists, UZ law students, friends across the world"
Zimbabwean journalist Blessed Mhlanga breaks his silence after 72 harrowing days in pre-trial detention. In this heartfelt letter, he shares the emotional toll of separation from his wife and children, the injustice of being denied bail, and the trauma of incarceration for simply doing his job. His words lay bare a justice system that serves power, not people. Yet amidst the pain, Mhlanga’s unwavering hope, love for family, and commitment to truth and journalism shine through. This is more than a personal account—it’s a powerful statement on press freedom, resilience, and the cost of speaking out in Zimbabwe. Read his moving testimony and stand in solidarity with those who risk everything to give others a voice.
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Africa and Europe at crossroads
Africa and Europe face a defining moment in global trade as rising US tariffs threaten to reshape economic relationships. Zimbabwe, as Chair of SADC, suspended all tariffs on American imports after Washington imposed an 18% duty on Zimbabwean goods. This diplomatic gesture highlights Africa’s lack of a unified trade response, exposing its industries to risk and weakening negotiating power. As the Trump Administration leans into protectionism and China deepens its influence across Africa, the European Union has a narrow window to offer a fair, rules-based alternative.
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Zimbabwean ‘Golden Girl’ escapes to the IOC
Coventry’s appointment as President of the IOC presents a fresh opportunity for her to make a meaningful impact in global sports governance, this time within an institution that values expertise and structured decision-making. Unlike her constrained role in Zimbabwe’s government, the IOC provides her with a platform to advocate for athletes' rights, sports development, and governance reforms on an international scale.
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Anatomy of shrinking democratic space
Human rights violations in Zimbabwe have been going on for decades, with press freedom among the many casualties. The state continues to wield its apparatus to suppress the media. Heart and Soul TV (HSTV) broadcast editor Blessed Mhlanga’s pre-trial incarceration is quite chilling. It is not only a blatant violation of his fundamental rights, but also a disturbing reflection of the shrinking democractic space in Zimbabwe.
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Working with Mhlanga and struggle for press freedom
The arrest of journalist Blessed Mhlanga is a chilling reminder of the fragility of press freedom in Zimbabwe. As I read the distressing news, my mind wandered back to the time I worked alongside him at HStv — a space that embodied journalistic integrity, courage, and an unwavering commitment to telling the truth. At HStv, Mhlanga is more than just a colleague, he is a force of nature. He possesses an unmatched zeal for uncovering the truth, often at great personal risk.
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To the gallows no more
On the last day of 2024, Zimbabwe joined the ranks of nations that have consigned capital punishment to history. President Emmerson Mnangagwa, himself once a death row inmate for blowing up a train during Zimbabwe’s (then Rhodesia) fight for independence, signed the Death Penalty Abolition Act into law. For Zimbabwe and its patchy human rights track record this marks an important step. The act not only prohibits courts from imposing death sentences. It also mandates the resentencing of about 60 persons currently on death row.
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Exclusion by inclusion: Zimbabwe’s quota system under scrutiny
By reserving 60 parliamentary seats for women through proportional representation, Zimbabwe’s constitutional quota system aimed to rectify gender disparities in political participation. Over a decade later, however, questions linger about its effectiveness. Critics argue the framework inadvertently perpetuates exclusion, with political parties sidelining women from key constituency races, and societal attitudes reinforcing entrenched barriers.
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Women call for greater support in politics amid ongoing challenges
Zimbabwean women's participation in politics remains low, despite comprising 52% of the population—making them the largest demographic group. To address this, FNF Zimbabwe hosted a meeting for young and veteran women taking center stage in politics. The event, themed “History of Women’s Political Participation in Zimbabwe: A Reflection and Celebration,” provided a platform to discuss historical and current challenges in the political arena.
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Unseen but present: Plight of intersex people
Kudakwashe Maiswa, born Yvonne, faces constant scrutiny when traveling due to a mismatch between their intersex identity and official documents, which still identify them as female. Intersex individuals, like Maiswa, experience legal and social challenges in Zimbabwe, where the legal system only recognises male or female identities. This lack of recognition, coupled with societal stigma, impacts their ability to access basic rights and identity documents. Despite their struggles, Maiswa advocates for greater awareness and policy reforms to ensure intersex people are legally recognised and respected.
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Sino-Africa must be equal partners
CHINA’S geopolitical ambitions and economic influence make it a major player in global politics and economics. With a staggering GDP of US$18,5 trillion, a population of 1,4 billion, and foreign exchange reserves around US$4 trillion, China’s interactions with other nations carry immense weight. This is particularly true for Africa, and the recent 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (Focac) held in Beijing between September 4 and 6 provided a key opportunity to assess the evolving Sino-Africa relationship.
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SADC Summit: A huge blow to democracy
In the lead-up to the SADC Summit, Mnangagwa’s government has intensified its repression. Human rights defenders and political activists are being harassed, prosecuted, persecuted, and imprisoned. Civil society has been silenced as the government issues vague but likely severe threats against those considering Kenya-style protests. Even the organisation of the People’s SADC Summit (a gathering of civil society organisations from SADC nations) has been scaled down and moved to a few days before the official summit, breaking with tradition.
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Heroes’ Day: Allow people to enjoy freedoms
As Zimbabwe celebrates the 44th Heroes Day on Monday, it is imperative to remember this legacy of resistance and the fight for justice. However, this year’s commemoration comes amid a tense atmosphere in Harare, as the city prepares for the SADC Summit from August 17 to 18. The State has reacted with a heavy-hand, arresting opposition politicians, civil society members, clergymen, and student activists in an apparent crackdown on ‘dissent’. It has shown zero tolerance for any criticism of those in power, creating an atmosphere of fear that now engulfs the country.
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Tackling the Bulawayo water crisis
Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second largest city, is currently facing one of its most severe droughts, exacerbated by the El Niño weather pattern. The city's vulnerability to drought has led to a severe water availability crisis, with increasing demand and decreasing supply. Over one million residents are facing acute water stress with limited access to clean and safe water. Despite the implementation of a 120-hour water-rationing plan in December 2023, the situation remains critical.
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Empowering female journalists
In a bid to promote gender parity in the media industry, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF) recently hosted a groundbreaking workshop for early-career journalists, with a special focus on empowering female journalists. The three-day event, which drew over 30 young journalists from across Zimbabwe, delved into critical topics such as financial reporting, photography, AI in the newsroom, women empowerment, data journalism, climate change, and sustainable reporting.
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Currency Collapses
On April 5, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) introduced a new currency, the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG), backed by 2,522 kg of gold and US$100 million in foreign currency reserves. Despite the declining use of the gold standard globally, Zimbabwe adopted this system to de-dollarise its economy and address currency and exchange rate issues, which saw the previous Zimbabwean dollar lose about 114% of its value between January and March 2024.
Social Media
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🎙️ Season 6 is here! The Let’s Talk Human Rights podcast is back with a fresh look and sound! In Episode 1, we spotlight Malawi’s fight to end child marriage and celebrate real progress through powerful personal stories. Hear how changing the law—and lives—is possible. 🎧 Listen now on your favourite podcast platform! SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4dxdKYIXKRPta9wMJN19Zx?si=-B3BbLSaR92bjTTopL4IAg APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/lets-talk-human-rights/id1532706038?i=1000705533035 IONO: https://iono.fm/e/1551151 #LetsTalkHumanRights #ChildMarriage #Malawi #HumanRights
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What does it take to lead with integrity under political pressure? The Ethics in Public Leadership & Corruption Case Study seminar immerses Futurelect fellows in the real-world complexities of ethical decision-making in government. Through powerful case studies, fellows engage with public leaders who have faced ethical crossroads and hear how they resisted the temptation of self-enrichment at public expense. - Learn from leading anti-corruption champions across the SADC region - Unpack the fine line between unethical and unlawful conduct - Define your personal framework for ethical leadership The seminar was officially opened by Miklos Romandy of FNF Africa, with a compelling keynote from guest speaker Millie Odhiambo Mabona, a Member of Parliament from Kenya, who shared her experience navigating ethical challenges in public life. 📍 FNF Think Tank, Johannesburg 📅 25–28 April 2025 #LeadershipEthics #CorruptionCaseStudy #SADCLeaders #Up4Democracy
