Fadzayi Mahere

Fadzayi Mahere is a leading democracy activist arrested multiple times as part of the new generation of freedom seekers in Zimbabwe.

Disheartened by the rampant corruption, injustice, and poverty in Zimbabwe, Mahere joined the #Thisflag Citizens Movement led by Pastor Evan Mawarire (GS’21) in 2016. Rising to be arguably one of the most recognized youth activists in Zimbabwe, she quickly became a mounting target of ZANU-PF, the ruling party of Zimbabwe. As a result, Mahere has persistently been harassed and arrested multiple times on trumped up charges, such as inciting public violence.

However, efforts to silence Mahere’s voice have fallen flat as she fearlessly continues to expose the regime’s abuses and advocates for the oppressed. Cementing herself as a champion of human rights and democracy, Mahere is the National Spokesperson for Zimbabwe’s main opposition party, the Citizens Coalition for Change.

Beyond her activism, Mahere has led an established and honourable legal career in Zimbabwe and abroad. After working at the International Criminal Court and the UN International Human Rights Tribunal for Rwanda, she earned her Masters of Law from the University of Cambridge and returned home to pursue constitutional law.

Mahere is also a regular contributor to The Guardian, writing insightful and powerful pieces on the human rights crisis in Zimbabwe.

Speeches

Zimbabwe

The Tragedy of Zimbabwe with Fadzayi Mahere

Constitutional lawyer and opposition spokesperson arrested repeatedly in Zimbabwe, Fadzayi Mahere, speaks at the 15th Annual Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy – see below for her remarks. Full Remarks Two years ago, I woke up in an overcrowded jail cell in Zimbabwe’s Maximum Security Prison. No water. No toilet. No underwear.