Last Friday, 3rd December, several members of the Consortium of Zimbabwe Charities attended an event based in Harare and/or by Zoom. 
It was suggested on the Consortium’s WhatsApp group chat, and eagerly taken up by Vari Mayez of VaTonatsa Foundation. A HUGE THANK YOU & WELL DONE!!! to Vari for all the hard work she did in preparing and presenting this event👏👏👏
Friends of Pakati were delighted to support the event, and spread the word across our social media platforms accordingly. As our banner was also on the poster above, I decided to send a brief pre-recorded message of encouragement to the participants via Vari. I had work commitments so was unable to attend via Zoom unfortunately. See below what they would have heard had it not been for technical problems on the day, which also affected Zoom participants:
Below is a summary of the event, with reactions from participants, starting with the program for the event:
Opening prayers were conducted by Pastor Rego. following opening remarks by the moderator, Thabani Patience Manjenjenje Gambiza.
The event was closeded by Mr Fungai Gwiriri of the ZOE Trust, a member of the Consortium based in Zimbabwe. Here he is giving the ‘thank you’ speech for the pesenters and to the participants:
The first speaker on the programme, though the second to actually speak, was Mrs Spiwe Chakawa, a widely-respected practitioner and advocate for development in Zimbabwe, particularly for children, youth and women. She holds two Development related degrees from two Universities in Zimbabwe.
She has contributed to numerous national programmes for children, serves on several boards, hss mentored non-profit start ups, and is currently the Executive Director for the Chiedza Child Care Centre since 2013.
In addition, Spiwe is Chairperson of the PVO Board in the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Development. All of which made her MORE than qualified to present her topic, PVO Registration – What You Need To Know! Here she is in full flow!
Video courtesy of Fungai from Zoe CTT
She gave very good infirmation about PVO’s in Zimbabwe, how to register, what the legal requirements are, how to present your case. A topic very appropriate to many of the participants judging by the positive feedback received.
Vari Mayez seen absorbed by the presentations she had organised on behalf of the Consortium of Zimbabwe Charities. Photo coutesy of Fungai from Zoe CTT
The second speaker due on the programme was Mr Taurai Kativu, though he actually spoke first. He is a Lawyer of 6 years experience, with 5 years in private practice. He has done a secondment at an International NGO. He is the holder of a Law Degree and Bachelor of Social Science Degree.
Taurai talked about registration, administration of NGOs, and proposed amendments to the PVO Act. See below as he gives his presentation to the participants:
The third speaker on the day was Mr Kudzai Midzi.
Kudzai is passionate about contributing to the transformation of societies through improving the financial management and the governance capacity of organisations, as well as giving back in whatever ways he can. He is currently the Managing Consultant of KFM Consultants and shared his advice on how NGO’s can become financially sustainable.
Kudzai gave his presentation online. Below are the first 2 slides of his presentation:
His presentation definitely resonates with me having seen the slides. He expanded in more detail on each slide, providing very valuable information, ideas and guidance to the participants in what is a very important aspect of such organisations – financial sustainability. Greatly appreciated by all those present. Here they are enjoying his presentation, clearly engaged with it:
I am going to include a few more photos taken at the event, and give my thanks to those who shared them & allowing me to use them on this blog.
There was some very good feedback, including here ftom a participant sent to the Consortium’s WhatsApp group chat:
“Morning all. Hey! It’s good to be here, I feel very honored to be on this platform.
I m one of the participants that attended the Masterclass. Wonderful experience that, and great eye-opener. Very insightful vision to come out with this process. Now it’s clearer, the fog is gone and there appears to be some light at the end of the tunnel. I had registered a PVO (that focuses on capacitating small holder farmers and environmental awareness), but I realise now that, even though I had, it was just trudging in utter darkness. I was humstrung and stuck. but now I think with the advent of this Development /Consortium I m getting re- focused, revitalised and rejuvenated. With such collaborations, I m completely and entirety positive we will make it.
Thanks for the vision, the sacrifices and the sharing. Looking forward to greater heights.”
All in all, it was a very successful event, well attended, well preoared & presented, and above all, well appreciated. Makorokoto/Well Done to all involved!👍
