The Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA) is a premier public interest environmental law organisation which seeks to promote environmental justice, sustainable and equitable use of natural resources, democracy and good governance in the natural resources and environment sector. ZELA’s work is mainly anchored on a core group of rights which are reflective of natural resources governance namely; Environmental, Economic, Social and Cultural (EESC) rights. As such a large component of the organisation's work involves influencing implementation and reforms within legal and institutional frameworks governing the environment and natural resources sector through research, civic education and advocacy.
As an organisation we believe that having adequate laws in place and monitoring implementation are the first steps towards good governance of natural resources and the environment. For the past 20 years, we have managed to make notable contributions to the legal, policy and institutional frameworks governing the environment and natural resources sector for broad based sustainable environmental and socio-economic development through our work in Zimbabwe and beyond.
Through this newsletter, we get to share with you relevant updates as we drive our mission of promoting environmental justice through sustainable and equitable utilization of natural resources and environmental protection. |
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21st February, what's in it for the young?
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It’s the 21st of February, a public holiday in Zimbabwe declared “Robert Mugabe National Youth Day” in 2017. For young people, is the day worth celebrating?
The day comes at a time when the Zimbabwean economy continues to shrink at an alarming rate. A significant number of young people have left the country in search of greener pastures. Most of the youth are unemployed and many face tremendous challenges setting up entrepreneurship ventures. Young people are disgruntled by the prevailing socio-economic situation. The impact of climate change evinced by prolonged droughts and flooding resulting in prevailing mealie meal shortages further exacerbates the situation by adding onto the burden of care and/or contributing to household income. The failure of past interventions to address the challenges and change lives for the better have failed dismally. As a result, limited youth participation has permeated most spheres of society.
Nqobizitha Mlambo an ardent social and economic justice activist says today is an ordinary day with nothing worth celebrating.........Click here for more information.
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Barriers faced by women in mining fourfold
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Women in mining have not been spared from harassment and abuse from their male counterparts. Beyond the differences between the male and female miners in ASM, lies a story of how societal and gendered hierarchies and power dynamics shape the industry. Socially constructed ideas have invented assumptions favouring men and these influence power and leadership dynamics, encouraging female miners to play a subservient role……... Click here for more information. |
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CSR is so yesterday: The case for creation of shared value
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In this opinion piece, Zimbabwe’s former Deputy Prime Minister-Professor Arthur Mutambara makes interesting arguments.
….. ask yourself: “How can I make more money by effectively embracing the framework of economic empowerment of the majority?” And not: “How do I comply with government authorities or public policy? How do I make this regime happy? It is the cost of doing business. I will just do it and move on to more pertinent issues – running a successful entity and making a profit.’ These are the wrong questions and assertions. They are typical of a CSR mindset......Click here for more information.
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Support for gold producers
“Gold deliveries to Fidelity Printers and Refiners (FPR) for the period January to 31 December 2019 were 27, 66 tonnes, a decline of 17 percent from 33, 29 tonnes recorded during the same period in 2018. Future efforts to increase gold deliveries to FPR shall include enhanced capacitation of gold producers and formalisation of artisanal miners, coupled with rigorous monitoring of gold production and marketing,” said Dr Mangudya…… Click here for more information. |
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Zim losing US$400m to oil pipeline cartels
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Zimbabwe is losing US$400 million annually in potential oil revenue due to Sakunda Holdings’ untenable monopoly over the Beira-Harare fuel pipeline, it has emerged......... Click here for more information.
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Upcoming Events
1. Stakeholder meeting on Mining Fiscal Transparency, Accountability & Beneficial Disclosure-26 February 2020
Conversations that matter
Artisanal Mining accounts for around 15% of the global gold supply (Metals Focus 2019). However, the practice involves complex political & social issues. This post highlights some of the social inequalities affecting female miners in Africa #WorldDayOfSocialJustice
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QUOTE OF THE DAY
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