KEY POINTS
- President Mnangagwa honored the late National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) Chair, Sello Nare, for his dedication to promoting peace in Zimbabwe.
- Nare’s work in peacebuilding was highlighted as crucial to the nation’s unity and reconciliation efforts.
- The government accorded Nare a state-assisted funeral, underscoring his national significance.
Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa has described the late National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) Chairperson, Retired Justice Sello Nare as a man of profound admiration.
During a special funeral service, Mnangagwa was full of praises for Nare noting that he was a dedicated patriot, who was hard at work, trying to create a united and peaceful Zimbabwe which shall always be remembered in the annals of this Nation.
Nare has ‘disappeared’ and this has left a big gap, especially based on the energy that he dedicated on the process that aims at healing the divides in Zimbabwe. During his tenure the NPRC fulfilled its role of helping the nation address its historical issues and establish cultures of non-violence.
A life of service
Sello Nare has served Zimbabwe for decades whether in his legal profession or at NPRC. He managed important peacebuilding processes, and made sure that people who suffered in the past had an opportunity to come together.
He was instrumental in applying restoration justice measures meant to tackle genocide that happened during the Gukurahundi period and other post-Independence intrusions.
When speaking of Nare, President Mnangagwa noted that the commitment to the healing of the nation would not be forgotten.
“He was a man of peace, integrity and dedicated service,” Mnangagwa said. “Justice Nare has contributed immensely to the unity of our people and the work that he has done will go a long way in the achievement of a peaceful future.”
NewZimbabwe also notes that Nare was a great achiever in the areas of peace and reconciliation. He was very hardworking in ensuring that he brought together different groups of people in order to discuss issues affecting the nation without compromising the interest of the nation for his own or that of the party.
State-assisted funeral granted
For the exemplary work done by Nare, the Zimbabwean government has provided him with a state assisted burial. This honor was given only to those, who have given longtime service to the country, which shows how much Nare was appreciated in the state and among the leadership of the state.
Commonly, government assistance relates to a state assisted funeral where the government is involved in the process of funeral arrangements and financing or the guarantees for funeral of the dead worthy of a dignified burial has to be met.
In Nare’s book, this kind of acknowledgment goes a long way in telling him that his work was significant for the unfolding of the culture of peace and reconciliation.
Mnangagwa further said that the fight for a better future in Zimbabwe for the purpose of attaining sustainable peace would go on in memory of Nare.
The president also urged the NPRC to continue from where Nare left, and to keep the vision of a united Zimbabwe as the key focus of the commission.
Continued peacebuilding: the hope
Although its head, Nare, is no more, his work ensures the NPRC’s future engagements in the peacebuilding and reconciliation process. Although Zimbabwe continues to experience many weaknesses and setbacks, the culture of dialogue and unity which Nare sought to advance forms the foundation of the country’s future.
Due to this, the state’s positive intention for lasting peacebuilding together with the track records erected by Nare, the future of the state seems to be pale and bright in union to unite the fragmented past of the country.
As Zimbabwe begins to remember Nare many people believe that the ideals that he championed such as peace, justice and national unity will continue to guide the nation’s leaders and citizens.
His work is a confirmation that peace remains to be valued not just as a dream, but as an achievement which has to be pursued and defended, built and nurtured.
