Ask Takudzwa 7 – Humanism with a Zimbabwean Twist, and Some Lime

by | October 4, 2019

By Scott Douglas Jacobsen

Takudzwa Mazwienduna is the informal leader of Zimbabwean Secular Alliance and a member of the Humanist Society of Zimbabwe. This educational series will explore secularism in Zimbabwe from an organizational perspectiveand some more.

Here we talk about the incorporation of a formal humanism into the Zimbabwean civil society.

Scott Douglas Jacobsen: If we’re looking at the incorporation of formal humanism into Zimbabwe, what does this mean for the freethought community in Zimbabwe?

Mazwienduna: Formal humanism in Zimbabwe means we are a significant member of the Civil society included in decision making or initiatives that cross paths with secularism. We are the official enforcers of the country’s secular laws that people overlook all the time.

Jacobsen: What will be the immediate first actions of the Humanist Society of Zimbabwe?

Mazwienduna: The immediate first action is to mobilize the members since we are scattered all over the country. A meet up is to be arranged to share ideas.

Jacobsen: What will be more superficial changes to culture needed for humanism and freethought for find a proper and respected place in Zimbabwean society?

Mazwienduna: Civic awareness and respect for the rule of law is what we need the most for humanism and secularism to be established in our culture.

Jacobsen: What will be more substantive changes required for the changes needed in Zimbabwe?

Mazwienduna: We already have the law established in the constitution, what we need now is to enforce it and raise awareness for people to respect it.

Jacobsen: What, especially now, seem like implacable objects in the work for proper secularism and mutual respect of the freethinkers and the religious in Zimbabwe?

Mazwienduna: Some religious establishments might have strong ties to the government and this poses a threat to secularism. The government has a notorious record of not respecting the rule of law.

Jacobsen: Morocco, Liberia, Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Botswana, South Africa, and Mauritius have made strides for the freethought and the humanist communities in Africa. What examples stand out in the region now? Why them? How could their successes be replicated by the Humanist Society of Zimbabwe?

Mazwienduna: We are especially envious of South Africa. Sure the country has its race problems but the rule of law is upheld and their respect for secularism is solid. Their society is diverse and progressive as a result and if we can nurture the same levels of civic awareness and rule of law in Zimbabwe, we will get there.

Jacobsen: Thank you for the opportunity and your time, Takudzwa.

Mazwienduna: It’s always a pleasure Scott.

Scott Douglas Jacobsen is the Founder of In-Sight: Independent Interview-Based Journal and In-Sight Publishing. He authored/co-authored some e-booksfree or low-cost. If you want to contact Scott: Scott.D.Jacobsen@Gmail.com.

Canadian Atheist 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 AllianceCentre for Inquiry CanadaKelowna Atheists, Skeptics, and Humanists Association.

Other National/Local Resources: Association humaniste du QuébecAtheist FreethinkersCentral Ontario Humanist AssociationComox Valley HumanistsGrey Bruce HumanistsHalton-Peel Humanist CommunityHamilton HumanistsHumanist Association of LondonHumanist Association of OttawaHumanist Association of TorontoHumanists, Atheists and Agnostics of ManitobaOntario Humanist SocietySecular Connextions SeculaireSecular Humanists in CalgarySociety of Free Thinkers (Kitchener-Waterloo/Cambridge/Guelph)Thunder Bay HumanistsToronto OasisVictoria Secular Humanist Association.

Other International/Outside Canada Resources: Allianz vun Humanisten, Atheisten an AgnostikerAmerican Atheists,American Humanist AssociationAssociação Brasileira de Ateus e AgnósticoséééBrazilian Association of Atheists and AgnosticsAtheist Alliance InternationalAtheist Alliance of AmericaAtheist CentreAtheist Foundation of AustraliaThe Brights MovementCenter for Inquiry (including Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science), Atheist IrelandCamp Quest, Inc.Council for Secular HumanismDe Vrije GedachteEuropean Humanist FederationFederation of Indian Rationalist AssociationsFoundation Beyond BeliefFreedom From Religion FoundationHumanist Association of IrelandHumanist InternationalHumanist Association of GermanyHumanist Association of IrelandHumanist Society of ScotlandHumanists UKHumanisterna/Humanists SwedenInternet InfidelsInternational League of Non-Religious and AtheistsJames Randi Educational FoundationLeague of Militant AtheistsMilitary Association of Atheists and FreethinkersNational Secular SocietyRationalist InternationalRecovering From ReligionReligion News ServiceSecular Coalition for AmericaSecular Student AllianceThe Clergy ProjectThe Rational Response SquadThe Satanic TempleThe Sunday AssemblyUnited Coalition of ReasonUnion of Rationalist Atheists and Agnostics.

Photo by S O C I A L . C U T on Unsplash

One thought on “Ask Takudzwa 7 – Humanism with a Zimbabwean Twist, and Some Lime

  1. Rolf Mbohwa

    Pretty good stuff, so how does one join the secular humanist organisation of Zimbabwe and please if there is an office the address may prove to be important and phone numbers.

    Reply

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