By Staff Reporter
The Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights) National Council announces that National Director Dzikamai Bere will step down from his position on 31 December 2025, after six years of dedicated service to Zimbabwe’s largest grassroots human rights movement.
Dzikamai Bere, ZImRights National Director: Stepping down on 31 December 2025 after leading the Association for six years
Mr. Bere took on the role in January 2020 during a pivotal period for both the nation and the organisation, marked by shrinking civic space, the COVID-19 pandemic, shifting donor priorities, and declining confidence in people movements.
Throughout his tenure, Mr. Bere faithfully and effectively led ZimRights, driving a turnaround that saw the launch of the transformative ‘Shifting Power to the People’ strategy (SP2P) and the adoption of the eight-action zone framework, which reinvigorated the movement. He re-engaged development partners, restored faith in grassroots movements, and championed robust collaboration with global bodies, strengthening the Zimbabwe solidarity movement on various international platforms.
During difficult times of donor fatigue and wavering trust in civil society, ZimRights expanded its ecosystem, rallying international support for Zimbabwe’s human rights cause. The SP2P enabled the development of key projects: strengthening ZimRights’ knowledge resources to empower communities through such flagship products as the People’s Human Rights Manifesto, the Annual State of Peace in Zimbabwe Reports, and the Annual State of Civic Space in Zimbabwe Report. ZimRights also reached out to new frontiers of human rights advocacy, establishing the ZimRights Diaspora Chapter, launching the Open Up Taskforce—providing women leadership opportunities within the human rights struggle—mobilising youth through a digital activism strategy via the Youth Zone, and facilitating Persons with Disabilities chapters nationwide.
Within the association, ZimRights implemented a leadership development programme that fortified its structures at the secretariat and membership levels. These efforts have cultivated leaders who continue to make an impact beyond organisational boundaries. The creation of the Annual Movement Builders Academy and the National Human Rights Leadership Symposium in 2023 and 2024 demonstrates strong trust in the ability of Zimbabwe’s local communities to drive the human rights movement forward.
Recognising his outstanding leadership, Mr. Bere received the NANGO 2024 Director of the Year Award, highlighting both his personal commitment and the collective strength of ZimRights as a movement.
As Mr. Bere’s term draws to a close, the ZimRights family celebrates his contributions and wishes him success in his future endeavours.
In recent weeks, ZimRights leaders have met with all the structures around the country to guide a smooth transition. Addressing members at the last membership engagement meeting in Mashonaland West, National Chairperson Mr. Takesure Musiiwa expressed profound gratitude for Bere’s selfless service, stating that it benefited not only ZimRights but the broader human rights community. He paid tribute to the membership for their unwavering support, which keeps the movement vibrant.
“We do not doubt that Bere’s commitment to human rights will continue beyond his tenure as the National Director.” Said Musiiwa, “And we will continue to work together in other capacities to advance the human rights struggle. Once a human rights defender, always a human rights defender. The roles change, the struggle continues.”
