Project: The Gukurahundi Massacre Peace and Reconciliation Project Country: Zimbabwe Sponsoring College: Columbia University School of General Studies Designated Project Leader: Percy Z. Silamba Sr. Home Country: Zimbabwe Institution: Columbia University Project Goals, and Original Inspiration The primary goal of the project was to find peaceful ways to finally and meaningfully address the Gukurahundi Massacres of the Ndebele people of Matabeleland by the Army’s 5th Brigade. No additional fund raising took place, but I created a non-profit organization call Ubuntu International Foundation which conducted a clothing-drive and collected more than four full large sized suitcases of clothes for residual orphans and those affected by armed conflict in Zimbabwe. The original idea for the project was influenced by the South African Truth and Reconciliation forums of 2000. Why Does the Conflict Exist, and Choice of Location The project was needed because, in Zimbabwe, the issue of the Gukurahundi massacres has never been addressed and as a result, there exists a festering yet subliminal detestation of the majority and governing Shona tribe by the minority and powerless Ndebele tribe. Until this issue is resolved the possibilities of a resurgence of animosity between the two tribes shall remain an imminent threat to peace and prosperity in the country. I chose the City of Bulawayo for the project because it is the second largest city in Zimbabwe and the hub of the Ndebele people. I felt that it is the Ndebele that needed prepping and empowered to address an issue the government has, for the first time, publicly acknowledged as having occurred without excuse via its passage of the National Peace and Reconciliation Act [2018]. The Ndebele did not appear to have a leader, nor do they seem to have decided on their owns terms regarding this matter. Challenges on the Ground & Course Corrections Unfortunately, to make an exacerbated circumstance even worse, the situation on the ground became somewhat hostile and volatile with the deposing of long-time dictator, Robert Mugabe and the power- struggles that ensued thereafter. It became clear that the project would need to change in a manner that did not antagonize the incumbent regime, but also didn’t shy away from its initial gist. The clothing drive came into effect as a consequence of this change which required that we approach the entire agenda from a peace and prosperity angle, rather than one that focused squarely on the Gukurahundi massacres. In my discussions with the survivors of the genocide, many of whom where children during the genocide, I was informed that a great number of them had survived the killings only to contract and die from the AIDS epidemic that continues to ravage Zimbabwe to this day. So, many of the Gukurahundi survivors had died and left behind a great number of orphans. It was at this point that I decided to incorporate a clothing drive to gather clothing for these kids in addition to conducting my symposium that would seek to find the best way forward with regards to the Gukurahundi controversy. I set up the foundation and created a website that I then used to promote the clothing drives via social media and other avenues of that ilk. Friends and family also chipped in and we gathered clothes that filled four large 70 pound suitcases (the maximum my wife and I could take with us without being charge $200 for each additional bag). The drive focused on getting clothing for children ages from infants to 13 years old, but we also collected clothes for older kids and adults. Upon our arrival in Zimbabwe, we took three suitcases to Thembiso Children’s Home in Bulawayo and we distributed the clothing to approximately 35 orphans ranging from ages 2 – 17. We took the last suitcase to Childline Zimbabwe, a hotline that focuses on helping children who aren’t in the system and are living on the streets. Communication Challenges My greatest challenge was convincing the Ndebele leadership that creating an economic power-base would provide them with the political leverage they would then use to address the Gukurahundi matter on their own terms. Many felt that although several meaningless dialogues have this issue have occurred, they should just continue to have more and hope for the best. However, I was encouraged by the acknowledgement of my point by prominent leaders such as Dr. Dumiso Dabengwa, an original opponent of initial Gukurahundi incursions which landed him and others in prison in 1982/3. The Project Lives On On the 29th of August, I conducted my symposium on Peace and Prosperity – I changed the title of the project to the Zimbabwe Southern Region Symposium on Peace and Prosperity, thus ensuring that there wasn’t a glaring tribal focus nor was the Gukurahundi issue still the focal topic. The goal is to revive the manufacturing industry in Bulawayo, and I am happy to report that initiative is continuing in Zimbabwe in my absence. Definition of Peace, and the Project’s Contribution I believe in the long-standing notion that Peace isn’t just the absence of war or conflict. Peace actually requires an amicable co-existence and a concerted effort at maintaining cooperation, understanding and acceptance. Zimbabwe is a perfect example of this position. While there is no evidence of any war or conflict, it is clearly a place with no peace either. I believe that even though my initial project did change somewhat, it is still going to contribute to peace in Zimbabwe because the Ndebele will now focus on uniting as a people and creating a strong economic front which they can then later use to leverage politically to address the Gukurahundi issue. Diverting their attention, though momentarily, from the Gukurahundi issue will alleviate tensions within the country and align the aspirations of all the people of Zimbabwe towards economic prosperity for the first time in decades. Peace and Prosperity shall be at the forefront of all relevant parties concerned. Personal Evolution Interestingly, my project did not change me so much as reinforced my global views on peace and what it means. Personal Statement I have learned that the absence of confrontation, conflict or war doesn’t mean there is peace. Peace goes beyond the surface and transcends mere perceptions of the existence of peace. For peace to exist, there must be a genuine level of reciprocal amicability and understanding. Presentation of the collections from a Clothing-drive for children at Childline Zimbabwe - 08/27/2018 Presentation of the collections from a Clothing-drive for children at Thembiso Children’s Home - 08/28/2018 The Zimbabwean Southern Region Symposium on Peace and Prosperity – Bulawayo, Zimbabwe - 08/29/2018 Please also visit www.ubuntuinternationalfoundation.org for more information, photos and details. .