Takudzwa Mazwienduna is the informal leader of Zimbabwean Secular Alliance. This educational series will explore secularism in Zimbabwe from an organizational perspective. Here we talk about support in Zimbabwe, building secular community, and more.
Scott Douglas Jacobsen: How can allies provide appropriate levels of support given the context of Zimbabwe?
Takudzwa Mazwienduna: Attempts to register the Humanist Society of Zimbabwe have been sabotaged by the country’s economy. Members had contributed money to raise the required amount on a mobile money service called Ecocash only for it to lose value with the government’s announcement of an improvised pseudo currency, robbing many Zimbabweans of any real money they had in banks or Ecocash. $900 lost its value to $100 overnight following the cash crisis. The Humanist Society of Zimbabwe could use a great deal of help in registering the organization and establishing it as a legitimate member of the country’s civil society.
Jacobsen: What are the ways in which allies can help too much or simply help in ways that are detrimental to the health and wellness of the secular community in Zimbabwe?
Mazwienduna: I doubt that any assistance from allies would be detrimental to the Zimbabwean secular society. We are the least nationalist people in our country and relate more to the global community. If anything, associating with international allies will unfold numerous opportunities for cooperation and a wider base to advance humanist and secular causes. It will help us to get Zimbabwe on the same page with the progressive discourse.
Jacobsen: What is the most important tactic and strategy for building secular community?
Mazwienduna: Human interaction has proven to be the best strategy for establishing a secular community. Our social groups have been growing non stop since 2015 and the more we get to know people, the better we relate to them. We have grown into a huge family with a lot of potential and talent.
Jacobsen: Thank you for the opportunity and your time, Takudzwa.
Mazwienduna: It has been a pleasure Scott, thank you.
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Scott Douglas Jacobsen is the Founder of In-Sight: Independent Interview-Based Journal and In-Sight Publishing. He authored/co-authored some e-books, free or low-cost. If you want to contact Scott: Scott.D.Jacobsen@Gmail.com.
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Do not forget to look into our associates: Godless Mom, Nice Mangoes, Sandwalk, Brainstorm Podcast, Left at the Valley, Life, the Universe & Everything Else, The Reality Check, Bad Science Watch, British Columbia Humanist Association, Dying With Dignity Canada, Canadian Secular Alliance, and Centre for Inquiry Canada.
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Other Resources: Recovering From Religion.
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Photo by Lennon Cheng on Unsplash