Zimbabwe learning exchange meeting declaration

A strong representative delegation of organisations from Mozambique, Swaziland, , South Africa and Zimbabwe and from respected organisations such as the ACTION Support Centre (ASC), Bench Marks Foundation, Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), Grace to Heal, Foundation for Socio-Economic Justice (FSEJ), National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA), PROPAZ-Mozambique, , Restorative Justice, Swaziland Coalition of Concerned Civic Organisations (SCCCO), Trade Union Congress of Swaziland (TUCOSWA),  Swaziland United Democratic Front (SUDF), Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA), Youth Initiative for Democracy in Zimbabwe (YIDEZ) and Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) met in Harare, from 22-23 August 2012. The interconnections between civil and human rights and the rights of workers are at the centre of our collective purpose.

We deliberated on "Building and Strengthening People-to-People Solidarity in the Region", focusing on analysing the Zimbabwe Global Political Agreement (GPA), reflections on the constitution making process, the implications of a contested constitutional referendum and an election process without a clear constitutional framework in place. Lessons were drawn from these discussions and were further strengthened through an analysis of the Swaziland crisis, including sharing insights and strategies for strengthening the Swaziland Mass Democratic Movement and assessing the role of civil society in socio-economic and political issues in the region.
 
The tragic events at the Lonmin mine in Marikana, North-West Province, South Africa, overshadowed the learning exchange and served to remind us of the indivisibility of our struggles for freedom and the deep structural causes of violence that affect all of us across the continent.

Acknowledging our past efforts and recognising the need to strengthen our collaborative intention to build a culture of solidarity in seeking to address the challenges we face in the SADC region:

We resolve to:

· Invigorate our efforts to end the abuse of the rights of citizens, the marginalisation of people from decision making and unaccountable leadership, the misuse of public funds, and all forms of autocratic and militarised behaviour, particularly in Zimbabwe and Swaziland.

· Pledge our solidarity with the struggles of the people across the region and commit ourselves to finding ways of building unity and cohesion between progressive forces.

· Send our condolences to the families of those who perished and were injured in the tragic event in Marikana. Those who are found to be responsible for the tragedy must be held accountable. The events at Marikana are also symbolic of the deeper tensions in our society and will require a concerted collective effort in support of fundamental transformation.

We call on Southern African Development Community (SADC) heads of states to:

· Urgently include civil society voices in the current ongoing efforts to resolve the Zimbabwe impasse and to respect the views of citizens who are participating in the constitution making process.
· Respond immediately to the impending constitutional stalemate between the principals in Zimbabwe and persuade intentional spoilers to follow the process of the GPA and walk with Zimbabwe in ensuring a constructive outcome to the Constitution making process and a level playing field for an election outcome that is accepted by all parties.
· Seek active ways of involving civil society in SADC decisions and work with civil society to make existing structures more effective in serving the collective voice of civil society, including the SADC Council of NGOs.
· Immediately deploy the SADC Technical Team to work alongside the Joint Monitoring and Implementation Committee (JOMIC) and seek ways of expanding this team to support the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.
· Ensure the full implementation of the GPA guidelines and investigate how security formations such as the Joint Operations Command are undermining and circumventing dialogue processes.
· Work together with JOMIC and civic monitoring groups to ensure the creation of an enabling environment towards free and fair elections.
· To recognise the severity of the Swaziland crisis and work urgently to establish frameworks that facilitates the protection and respect of human rights and the democratisation of the Swaziland governance system.

We call on all progressive forces worldwide to support the 2012 Global Week of Action on Swaziland organised by the Swaziland Democracy Campaign and progressive Movements in Swaziland (3-7 September 2012) under the theme "A Call for Multiparty Democratic Elections and A People's Government Now"!

Finally we express our solidarity support for the associated call for the:

· The re-registration of TUCOSWA with immediate effect.
· Immediate unbanning of all political parties, freeing of political prisoners, and the return of all exiles.
· Right to free media expression and an independent judiciary
· Genuine and all -inclusive political dialogue to end 39 years of Tinkhundla misrule.
· End to the corrupt, undemocratic royal Tinkhundla regime and put in place a process towards a democratic and all-inclusive interim government to prepare the ground for democratic elections. Including mass civic education to empower especially rural population on their rights and importance of their participation in building a democratic Swaziland.
· Introduction of economic recovery plan to address poverty and hunger, driven by a democratic government and civil society.

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Philani Courage Ndebele can be contacted at philani@asc.org.za