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 perspective, and 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.
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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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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 Alliance, Centre for Inquiry Canada, Kelowna Atheists, Skeptics, and Humanists Association.
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Other National/Local Resources: Association humaniste du Québec, Atheist Freethinkers, Central Ontario Humanist Association, Comox Valley Humanists, Grey Bruce Humanists, Halton-Peel Humanist Community, Hamilton Humanists, Humanist Association of London, Humanist Association of Ottawa, Humanist Association of Toronto, Humanists, Atheists and Agnostics of Manitoba, Ontario Humanist Society, Secular Connextions Seculaire, Secular Humanists in Calgary, Society of Free Thinkers (Kitchener-Waterloo/Cambridge/Guelph), Thunder Bay Humanists, Toronto Oasis, Victoria Secular Humanist Association.
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Other International/Outside Canada Resources: Allianz vun Humanisten, Atheisten an Agnostiker, American Atheists,American Humanist Association, Associação Brasileira de Ateus e AgnósticoséééBrazilian Association of Atheists and Agnostics, Atheist Alliance International, Atheist Alliance of America, Atheist Centre, Atheist Foundation of Australia, The Brights Movement, Center for Inquiry (including Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science), Atheist Ireland, Camp Quest, Inc., Council for Secular Humanism, De Vrije Gedachte, European Humanist Federation, Federation of Indian Rationalist Associations, Foundation Beyond Belief, Freedom From Religion Foundation, Humanist Association of Ireland, Humanist International, Humanist Association of Germany, Humanist Association of Ireland, Humanist Society of Scotland, Humanists UK, Humanisterna/Humanists Sweden, Internet Infidels, International League of Non-Religious and Atheists, James Randi Educational Foundation, League of Militant Atheists, Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers, National Secular Society, Rationalist International, Recovering From Religion, Religion News Service, Secular Coalition for America, Secular Student Alliance, The Clergy Project, The Rational Response Squad, The Satanic Temple, The Sunday Assembly, United Coalition of Reason, Union of Rationalist Atheists and Agnostics.
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Photo by S O C I A L . C U T on Unsplash
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.