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Sheroes National Assembly
Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA)
August 16, 2006

THREE HUNDRED AND TWELVE delegates, including 25 men, attended the annual national assembly of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) this weekend (11th – 14th August.) Those present were members of WOZA and civic society organisations. The theme of the assembly was ‘Defending Women Defending Rights – Woza Moya’. Known as ‘Sheroes’, the WOZA Assembly honours modern day ‘sheroes’ - ordinary women doing the extraordinary – at the same time as the government of Zimbabwe honours other ‘Heroes’.

This year marked the third annual assembly of Sheroes convened to elect the leadership of WOZA and to motivate members to defend their rights. The gathering also resolved to form Men of Zimbabwe Arise (MOZA) and elected a male leader into the WOZA leadership, referred to as Mother WOZA.

Proceedings began with a solidarity message from Archbishop Pius Ncube who asked WOZA to, "stand firm in speaking up and demonstrating against evil and unjust laws; against brutality, against dictatorship and lack of love and a government which is self-centred and does not care for its people."

The Assembly was conducted under high security at a secret location in rural Matabeleland and members passed through countless roadblocks to get to and from the venue. No incidents were reported, although official announcement of the Assembly had to await the safe arrival of all delegates.

The election of 18 office bearers was conducted under a spirit of democracy and those elected were prayed for and anointed to continue the work of WOZA and to birth MOZA. Their names must be withheld for security reasons. Many positions were hotly contested but several leaders were returned unopposed. New positions include Rural Outreach Co-ordinators and a male representative.

Partners from civic society present included Zimbabwe National Students’ Union (ZINASU), Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ), Zimbabwe United Residents Association (ZURA), Combined Harare Residents’ Association (CHRA), International Solidarity Association (ISO), Bulawayo Agenda, National Constitutional Assembly (NCA), Zimbabwe Peace Project, Uhuru Social Forum and the Christian Alliance. Representatives from Crisis Coalition - South Africa and the African Liberation Support Campaign – Kenya also attended and addressed the meeting on how women in Kenya and South Africa mobilised so that they could enjoy their rights without state interference.

Delegates, who are leaders of WOZA, came from 14 communities in Bulawayo and 15 in Harare, including Seke Rural and Domboramwari. There were also representatives from new areas of operation, including Insiza, Inyathi/ Nkayi, Njelele/Matopo, Mutare, Chegutu and Chimanimani.

The delegates reviewed the WOZA social justice campaign and evaluated campaigns and strategies before unanimously resolving to press ahead with non-violent street action in coming months. The following issues were selected in addition to the normal calendar of events and issues:

• Operation Sunrise, which saw three zeros being dropped from the currency. The women argued this is a very short term measure that will not resolve Zimbabwe's economic crisis. Instead the women pointed out that the country needs to drop its leaders, not zeros.
• The high cost of goods and services. There was widespread testimony of skyrocketing prices and shortages as a result of Operation Sunrise, which they felt should be renamed ‘Operation Zero Benefit’.
• ZESA. The women say they are frustrated by frequent unscheduled blackouts that have damaged appliances. Additionally they complain they are forced to pay huge tariffs for an unreliable service. In Bulawayo women are also concerned about the power utility's decision to phase out load limiters and insist that consumers install new meters at great personal expense.
• Water problems and utility supplies, delegates in both Harare and Bulawayo resolved to hold their council accountable for terribly poor service whilst constantly hiking rates.
• The women who demonstrated over school fees at the beginning of the last school term resolved to continue with the street action until the promises of the liberation war have been fulfilled.

Alongside these national activities, delegates also resolved to undertake local actions to highlight social injustices within their communities, including lack of housing and home ownership.

On the second night a special ceremony was held to salute the bravery of members who have been arrested an average of five times. Those Sheroes present were invited to sign an Honour Roll. Of the 294 WOZA members present, 228 women and men signed; some signing for their children and babies. Before signing, many recounted their arrests, harassment and abuse while in custody, including assaults by police and great indignities endured. Several men also came forward and testified about their experience in custody with WOZA women.

A group of 16 male members of WOZA attended the assembly with a view to debating a way forward and resolved to form Men of Zimbabwe Arise (MOZA). They elected a representative who will sit in the WOZA leadership body, called Mother WOZA, until a full structure is able to be formed.

Other business included the formulation of an urban and rural plan of action and a plan to intensify training on strategic non-violence.

Members of WOZA and MOZA would like to tell Zimbabweans that they have committed and prepared themselves for a non-violent uprising of ‘ordinary’ Zimbabweans who will do the extraordinary. Leaders said Mugabe and his regime boast of having ‘degrees in violence’, which has brought only hatred and destruction. WOZA has ‘degrees in non-violence’ that will result in love and reconstruction. When you hear the slogans ‘Woza Moya’ and ‘Umkhonto wo Thando’ or ‘Pfumo re Rudo’ and you see the Love Sign, you must know that love never fails (1 Corinthians 13:8). We call our resistance ‘Tough Love’ – it is the disciplining love of one Zimbabwean to another. Our leaders have unleashed suffering upon us. We are on our knees. It is the spirit of ‘tough love’ that will help us to stand up and demand social justice and demand the Zimbabwe we want – a Zimbabwe of hope and promise.

For the sports page… A netball final was held between Bulawayo and Harare under 28 and over 28. Bulawayo won both matches 8-4 and 11-1 respectively. The match was said to represent a clashing of Bosso (Highlanders) and DeMbare (Dynamos). Another victory for ‘Bosso Ngenkani’! 

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