The unwavering dedication of Namatai Kwekweza to advancing change in Africa does not falter, even in the face of distressing trials in her native Zimbabwe. Kwekweza, a year before, was recognized with the Kofi Annan NextGen Democracy award at the Athens’s 2023 Democracy Forum, an honor acknowledging her resolute efforts in advocating for democracy and feminism across Africa. The forum had reconvened in Greece last week while Ms. Kwekweza was addressing the aftermath stemming from her activism, including her recent apprehension in Zimbabwe and an impending court case.
On the 31st of July, Kwekweza, who founded and directs Zimbabwe’s WELEAD Trust, an institution focused on empowering youth leadership and advocacy, embarked on a local flight from the capital city, Harare, en route to Victoria Falls for a philanthropy conference. The engines were humming on the tarmac when Kwekweza, then 25, and fellow activists Robson Chere and Samuel Gwenzi, were removed from the aircraft. This trio, who were all headed to the same conference, were ushered into a domestic arrivals terminal currently undergoing refurbishments via the luggage carousel entrance.
Kwekweza initially declined to comply, leading to her being physically ejected through the baggage carousel entrance. This marked the beginning of several grueling hours wherein the trio underwent cruelty and physical abuses. Subsequently, they were transported to a police headquarters where charges of disruptive behavior were leveled against them. The accusations alleged that the trio held a rally outside a courthouse in June, expressing their dissent over the apprehension of numerous supporters of the opposition leader, Jameson Timba.
Concerns over the demoralizing treatment and detention of Kwekweza, Chere, and Gwenzi were voiced by independent human rights advocates in a statement issued by the United Nations. These human rights professionals pointed out how the enforced disappearance, incommunicado detention and torment, followed by arbitrary detention of these human rights defenders not only contravenes international human rights law, but it also ridicules the protections offered under Zimbabwe’s own constitution.
The discussion that follows has been edited and condensed for clarity. Following the string of unfortunate events, Kwekweza was eventually granted bail. At the time of the protests occurring in Harare, she was in South Africa. Amidst the court proceedings which were held on September 30th, her trial was rescheduled for October 22nd.
Kwekweza credits the political tension pervading the country for her arrest. During her incarceration, she had interactions with other political detainees who offered their support. The series of ordeals she underwent did not shake her resolve. Instead, she maintained her fierce commitment to advancing human potential through her continued efforts in leadership development and advocacy for human rights.
Namatai Kwekweza: Fierce Advocate for Change in Africa appeared first on Real News Now.
About Author
