Today ECLF engaged with key stakeholders in Tsholotsho during an inception meeting under CCCOP. The meeting provided a critical opportunity for stakeholders to deliberate on the conflicts plaguing the district and also share insights on how Covid-19 has impacted on and will likely continue to influence the conflict dynamics in the district. Focus was also on how through the CCCOP the district can strengthen it's resilience to conflicts emerging as a result of external shocks such as the Covid-19 pandemic. ... See more

The Human Security approach takes a holistic view of peace. Today as we commemorate Global Handwashing Day let us remember that any insecurity in health dimensions creates fertile ground for conflict and negative peace. ... See more

This morning the ECLF team kicks off the CCCOP in Matobo district with the project inception meeting. Despite the chilly weather and the rains, key stakeholders made their way to the Council boardroom to engage on the 2nd phase of the project, building up on the peace building work started during the CCOP ... See more

Pastor Shadreck Ncube from Zimbabwe Christian Alliance sharing with Matobo stakeholders about the core values the CCCOP is based on. ZCA was the lead partner in Matobo during the CCOP and ECLF is coming to build on the work started hence both partners felt it was important for them to stand together during the inception meeting. ... See more

On the 11th of October ECLF joined the world in celebrating the IInternational Day of the Girl Child, which seems to, amplify the voices and rights of girls everywhere.

The theme for this year, “My voice, our equal future”, reimagines a better world inspired and led by adolescent girls, as part of the global Generation Equality movement. Girls worldwide are demanding a life free from gender-based violence, access to health, skills, recognition and investment as leaders of social change.

As ECLF we are playing our small part to mentor girls and support them in claiming their space in various leadership platforms. Over three days ECLF in partnership with the Zimbabwe Youth Council engaged with recently elected Junior Parliamentarians from Bulawayo Province to share insights on peace and leadership and the role young people can play in becoming the change they want to see in our nation. Notably 7 out of the 12 elected Parliamentarians for Bulawayo are female which is one stride towards amplifying the voices and rights of girls in Zimbabwe. ... See more

How much conflict are you creating knowingly or unknowingly, just with your tone of voice and delivery when communicating with others?

Peace building is not just about resolving or managing conflict and minimizing the threat of violence. According to the human security approach it is about a multitude of measures that address global vulnerabilities that compromise people's safety from chronic threats and that result in sudden hurtful disruptions in the patterns of daily life. As such the human security centred approach to peace building espoused in ECLF's values compelled us in some small way to support actions in response to the Covid-19 pandemic... ... See more

Last Friday, I am for Bulawayo Fighting Covid19 and it’s partners officially handed over donations to Ekusileni Hospital during the Hon Vice President of Zimbabwe and Minister of Health and Child Care, Gen (Retd) Dr CG DN Chiwenga's visit to the institution.

Watch attached video below for more... ... See more

Song and dance are one of the unique ways through which people express their emotions, be it joy, sorrow, hope etc. During a conflict management sensitization workshop with community leaders in Ezinyangeni, Nkayi participants spontaneously broke into song. This was after a session on the nexus between peace and development where participants realised that the progress or failure of community initiatives lies in the hands of the people themselves. The word "zenzele" which features prominently in the song means "do it yourself". An empowered community is a resilient one but in the absence of peace there can be no sustainable development, so it all begins with peace. ... See more

The majestic Matobo Hills are not only one of Zimbabwe's major tourist attractions but they also hold a key place in the history of our people. If these Hills could talk they would tell of Bantu people whose cultural heritage and religious rites are closely tied to the hills, of visitors who came and were so awed by their majesty they opted to have their remains interred there, of harmony between men and graceful wild beasts who call this place home. But these Hills have also witnessed terrible things: they could tell of people displaced from the land of their forefathers, of lives lost in battles, of a fight between humans and wildlife for space and survival, of wild beasts poached for their ivory and now on the brink of extinction and of fights (sometimes fatal) over the land's mineral wealth.

Conflict, in the past and the present has tainted the beauty of these majestic hills and this is how ECLF has come to find it's place in the communities living within these tranquil hills. In Matobo district ECLF is helping communities find each other, use positive strategies to manage their current and past conflicts and jointly map, implement initiatives to contribute to inclusive and sustainable peace and development. ... See more

Everyday provides us with an opportunity to contribute to peaceful co-existance in our families, the work place, our community and even the nation as a whole. What are you doing to help foster positive, sustainable peace? ... See more