By
Nhau Mangirazi
 |
All smiles... Skumbuzo Sibanda won the Mashonaland West Human Rights Defender for 2014 |
Baptism
of Fire director, Skumbuzo Sibanda was nominated as
Mashonaland West provincial human rights defender at an event hosted in
Bulawayo late last year.
Sibanda shrugged off stiff competition from
many human rights defenders forced to operate undercover due to the hostility
by some misinformed State agencies who believe that “human rights issues are part of regime change agenda by some Non
Governmental Organizations working in cahoots with opposition parties“
Sibanda got a floating trophy and some cash
for the sponsor Norwegian People Aid.
The 46 year old Hurungwe actor, health,
women and children rights advocate says he is inspired that the communities
understand the role of human rights defenders.
“We used theater as part of human rights
promotion and we are part of watchdogs of human rights violations that were
rampant within Mashonaland West. All we were doing was to remain committed to
share, alerting them on their rights. We engaged some policy makers including
councilors, traditional leaders and some residents on service delivery and it
is working as a human rights issue” said Sibanda in an
interview.
He added that their thrust as human rights
defenders is appreciated by the fact that they have been doing this as part of
community service.
Human rights part of community development
“Human rights must be part of community
development and we have been keeping citizens informed on their rights to vote,
attend public meetings, rights to be heard as well as protection. Though
perpetrators of violence used to target us, the accusations were baseless as we
remain apolitical. A human right remains a right to everyone as everyone is
equal in terms of law“he added.
Perseverance paid for Sibanda and Baptism
of Fire theater group groomed by Zimrights in the late 1990s engaged in theater
for development and ever since the group has been travelling around the country
on HIV and AIDS, maternal health, malaria, women and children rights among
other topical issues affecting the communities.
Do not violate the law
His parting words to upcoming human rights
defenders, Sibanda said, “Human rights must not violate the law, those who want to hold public meetings must seek police
clearance as required by the law. As human rights defenders we must avoid
double standards and be political activists. We must have the passion not to
gain financially but serve the communities to get respect from them. It is not
full time employment as watchdogs of human rights violations on everyone
regardless of their political affiliation“
Baptism of Fire hosted inaugural Hurungwe
Arts Festival in November that was a major success as it drew artists from
Bulawayo, Kadoma, Harare and locals who showcased drama plays, traditional
dances, poetry and some jokes from Uncle Richie, Nqobile Malinga among
others.
