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
-
‘Education standards have dropped’
GERMAN Counsellor and Deputy Head of Mission in Zimbabwe Michael Ott has said the quality of Zimbabwe’s education system is fast deteriorating. “I have been here for a year in the country, unfortunately the education system in Zimbabwe has been going downwards, and I think that is a great danger because so far education is what has made Zimbabweans successful abroad. So I think that is one thing that we need to keep in mind and put into discussions,” he said. Ott was speaking at the launch of a study by Friedrich Naumann Foundation last Friday on the impact of Chinese investments in Africa and their threat to democracy. The study, titled How China is Inverting Democracy Enabling Institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa, was done by Innocent Ncube, a lecturer at Queen Mary University of London’s School of Politics and International Relations.
-
Women Elbowed Out Of The Game
THE push for equal participation of men and women in politics has been building up, with benefits already filtering through in countries where this shift has been embraced. Observance of human rights and democratic governance principles are other issues that have taken centre stage in the past few decades. However, research has revealed that despite governments’ efforts to push through equal representation, women’s participation in politics remains low. Yet in most countries, they make up the bigger part of population.
-
Cyber bullies push women to the fringes of political power
Many of Zimbabwe’s women have seen their ambitions to ascend to political power obliterated by brutal cyberbullying, which has forced them to quit, leading analysts said this week. So rampant is the cyberbullying scourge, which now permeates through all layers of politics from local to central government. The analysts, who spoke as Zimbabwe raved up campaigns for general elections expected next month, were worried that even existing laws fell short of defending female politicians from cyberbullies.
-
Zimbabwe's poor bear brunt of rioting prices
UNDER the heavy African sky, an aura of unease seeps into Zimbabwe’s rural heartland. As the sun retreats behind the hills of Tandi communal lands in Rusape, Manicaland province, it casts long, spectral shadows over VaMamoyo’s small thatched hut. VaMamoyo is a woman of remarkable tenacity. Her skin, a complex tapestry of wrinkles, echoes tales of her endurance and resilience. Looking closely at a meagre assembly of grocery items that lay before her, she looks at them with a worried frown.
-
Why we need to take sides
The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom opens its new office in Johannesburg at a time when there is much debate about the value of that very freedom. A value, that is indispensable for the self determined development of human beings and for democracy. The list of dictatorial regimes that oppress their people remains consistently long. African countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Libya and the Central African Republic are consumed by brutal civil wars.
-
Africa’s growing geo-political influence
Three back-to-back visits by major world powers to Africa ahead of February’s African Union Summit follow a flurry of important diplomatic visits in 2022, including by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron. Together, they signal attention to Africa’s rising political and economic bargaining power globally, which has been brought into sharp focus by the Russian war in Ukraine. “It’s a sign of increased attention to the continent.”
-
Nailbiter continues for Peace Prize of the German Book Trade winner Tsitsi Dangarembga
Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger has traveled to Harare, Zimbabwe, for the announced sentencing of Tsitsi Dangarembga. But the attrition tactics against the critic continue: the date for the pronouncement of the verdict has been postponed to September 29. Dangarembga is a peaceful critic of Zimbabwe's autocratic repressive system.
Social Media
-
5
Watch Ester Joseph, a partner of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation Tanzania office, and her powerful journey from practicing female genital mutilation (FGM) to becoming a passionate advocate against it. Learn how she now empowers communities to combat harmful practices like FGM and early marriages. Tune in for insights on empowerment, breaking cycles of human rights violations, and join the conversation for change! #ENDFGM #Tanzania #Empowerment #HumanRights #16DaysOfActivism
-
2
Seven out of ten of the countries worst affected by climate change in the world today are in Africa – despite the fact that the region contributes just 4 percent of global emissions. This radical imbalance sets the stage for Africa’s priorities at #COP28, which largely revolve around building global support – and crucially, financing – for the region to adapt to climate change.
-
4
Podium finish - Celebrating our Female Human Rights Defenders in Africa this Women Human Rights Defenders Day! #WHRDDay #WHRDs #16DaysOfActivism
