The Zimbabwe Council of Churches has called for stronger political will and greater African leadership in science and technology as key to securing economic, social and cultural rights across the region.
ZCC was among faith leaders, human rights actors, civil society, youth and other stakeholders who gathered in Gaborone from 26-28 August 2026 for the Southern Africa Convening on Reimagining the Future of Human Rights in Africa. The three-day dialogue was organised in partnership by the Open Society Foundations, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Network of African National Human Rights Institutions, and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Representing ZCC, Head of Programme for Church, Peace and Just Societies, Mr Admire Mutizwa, spoke on a panel on Recentering Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Southern Africa. He linked inequality and limited participation to stalled inclusive development, and said African states must move beyond policy statements.
“Realising economic, social and cultural rights requires political will that translates into budgets, services and accountability,” Mr Mutizwa said. “Africa must also lead in science and technology so that we produce strategic technologies ourselves, instead of remaining only consumers. That is how we anchor dignity and jobs for our people.”
He added that accountable leadership grounded in regional and continental integration was critical for delivering justice and development at community level.
The convening explored ways Southern Africa can strengthen accountability, civic participation, economic justice and human rights protection amid shifting political and economic pressures. Delegates discussed building a more inclusive, resilient and future-fit human rights agenda for the region.
As a faith-based actor, ZCC said it will continue to bring the voices and lived realities of communities into policy spaces to advance justice, dignity and inclusive development.
The Gaborone meeting formed part of broader continental efforts to align national, regional and African Union human rights frameworks with current challenges facing citizens.
