In a bid to promote a violence free watershed general plebiscite slated for mid-year in the country, Heal Zimbabwe Trust (HZT), launched a peace campaign targeting volatile rural communities urging citizens to shun political violence against members of rival political affiliations. The organization launched its flagship Peace Campaign for the 2023 general election in Gutu on May 6, 2023, dubbed #AsOne, anchored on three pillars; Tolerance, Harmony and Ubuntu. The launch was held in the form of a Nhimbe in line with HZT’s tradition of using traditional and customary platforms. Local leaders of diverse political backgrounds, traditional leaders and community leaders of Ward 6 in Gutu attended the event. Mundari Village Head Morgan Mundari emphasized the importance of tolerance and social cohesion at community and national level to build and foster peace. He went on to say the traditional leaders had brought communities together as parts of efforts to preach peace and tolerance despite political differences.

“It is encouraging that ahead of elections the environment is peaceful and there is high degree of tolerance in the area”, Mundari said. Village head Kurauone Mushipe from Mafukidze Village said the Kushinga peace club is continuously encouraging peaceful participation in electoral process. “We have been reaching out to people to exercise peace and tolerance and it is encouraging that we have peace gardens where we gather all villagers to preach the gospel of peace. We have also targeted the youth in these programmes.” He said. Heal Zimbabwe Trust representative; Igneous Mafura explained the key pillars anchoring the campaign and the theme message of the Campaign: Harmony in Diversity. “There is need for communities to live in harmony and peace even when we chose our leaders in the forthcoming elections so that when the process is over, we can continue to live in congruence as communities. There is no need to hate someone for believing in different ideologies hence we need to respect and tolerate each other beyond this period of elections,” He Said.