Very few people attended the first day of the ZHRC public hearings at Flamboyant Hotel
…as
public criticises elitist approach, poor publicity
public criticises elitist approach, poor publicity
Clayton Shereni
Public
hearings on access to national documentation being conducted by the Zimbabwe
Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) began on a dismal note in Masvingo today, July
02, with very few people attending what was supposed to be a
big and inclusive gathering.
hearings on access to national documentation being conducted by the Zimbabwe
Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) began on a dismal note in Masvingo today, July
02, with very few people attending what was supposed to be a
big and inclusive gathering.
The
hearings are being held at Flamboyant Hotel, a place that some people
criticised as elitist and not representative of the people whose views the programme
ostensibly wants to get.
hearings are being held at Flamboyant Hotel, a place that some people
criticised as elitist and not representative of the people whose views the programme
ostensibly wants to get.
An
hour after the first leg of the hearings began, there were more ZHRC staff and
special interest groups in attendance than members of the public, and there was
not meaningful improvement in attendance as the day progressed.
hour after the first leg of the hearings began, there were more ZHRC staff and
special interest groups in attendance than members of the public, and there was
not meaningful improvement in attendance as the day progressed.
Members
of the public who spoke to TellZim News said the hearings could have been held
at a more accessible place.
of the public who spoke to TellZim News said the hearings could have been held
at a more accessible place.
“They
could have done better if they held the hearings at a place like the Civic Centre
gardens which is more accessible to the public. Taking the hearings to a hotel
says a lot about the people they want to attend. They are communicating the
wrong message. You should know the most convenient place to do your programme
if you really want ordinary people to attend,” said one informal trader.
could have done better if they held the hearings at a place like the Civic Centre
gardens which is more accessible to the public. Taking the hearings to a hotel
says a lot about the people they want to attend. They are communicating the
wrong message. You should know the most convenient place to do your programme
if you really want ordinary people to attend,” said one informal trader.
Disability
activist, Pastor Calvour Mugwadi said he seldom misses information on activities
of that nature and was surprised, therefore, that he did not hear about this
one.
activist, Pastor Calvour Mugwadi said he seldom misses information on activities
of that nature and was surprised, therefore, that he did not hear about this
one.
“I
did not even know there were such hearings of that kind in this city. I am only
hearing it from you. Maybe the only people they want to attend are those they
knew will make the kind of contributions they want to hear. How can a programme
of such importance be conducted without properly informing the public,” said Mugwadi.
did not even know there were such hearings of that kind in this city. I am only
hearing it from you. Maybe the only people they want to attend are those they
knew will make the kind of contributions they want to hear. How can a programme
of such importance be conducted without properly informing the public,” said Mugwadi.
Women
Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCoZ) Masvingo Chapter chairperson Joyce Mhungu also
said her organisation did not know about the hearings.
Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCoZ) Masvingo Chapter chairperson Joyce Mhungu also
said her organisation did not know about the hearings.
“We
did not know about the programme. We would have wanted many women to attend the
hearings because they are critical in children’s ability to acquire identity
documents. It also seems the programme is of great interest to people in
marginalised communities,” said Mhungu.
did not know about the programme. We would have wanted many women to attend the
hearings because they are critical in children’s ability to acquire identity
documents. It also seems the programme is of great interest to people in
marginalised communities,” said Mhungu.
However,
ZHRC chairperson Dr Elasto Mugwadi said he was overwhelmed by the level of
preparedness and cooperation shown by Masvingo province.
ZHRC chairperson Dr Elasto Mugwadi said he was overwhelmed by the level of
preparedness and cooperation shown by Masvingo province.
“The
commission is satisfied with its level of preparedness for the public hearings
in Masvingo starting today. The commission appreciates the support received in
this province in preparation for these public hearings,” said Dr Mugwadi.
commission is satisfied with its level of preparedness for the public hearings
in Masvingo starting today. The commission appreciates the support received in
this province in preparation for these public hearings,” said Dr Mugwadi.
ZHRC
is on a programme to gather views on challenges being faced in accessing
national documents like birth certificates, national identity cards, passports,
death certificates and citizenship.
is on a programme to gather views on challenges being faced in accessing
national documents like birth certificates, national identity cards, passports,
death certificates and citizenship.
