CIVIC organisations across Zimbabwe have been urged to abandon a posture of fear and survival and instead position themselves as architects of a new civic order as governments tighten legal and regulatory controls that restrict dissent.
The call comes amid growing concerns that shrinking civic space, restrictive legislation and declining funding are weakening the ability of civil society organisations to defend democratic values, hold authorities accountable and effectively serve communities.
At a high-level engagement hosted by the Civic Leadership Institute (CLI), speakers said the growing use of legislation to restrict civic space is not unique to Zimbabwe, but part of a wider global trend aimed at muting critical voices and weakening accountability systems.
Dzikamai Bere, a former director of Zimbabwe Human Rights Association and founder of CLI, said civil society was experiencing a profound rupture rather than a temporary crisis.
“We are not simply navigating a crisis. We are living through a rupture,” Bere said.
He described Zimbabwe’s civic landscape as increasingly shaped by restrictive legislation, shrinking funding streams and growing political intolerance.
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Across Africa, governments have introduced or strengthened laws that critics say are designed to control non-governmental organisations, limit foreign funding and criminalise dissent.
The developments have left many civic groups operating under constant threat, forcing some into silence, while others scale down operations to avoid confrontation.
Bere, however, warned that retreating into survival mode could prove more damaging than repression itself.
“The greatest risk is not repression. It is self-censorship and institutional paralysis,” he said.
Bere urged civic actors to fundamentally rethink their role in society, not as passive responders to State pressure, but as active shapers of democratic futures.
“This is not the end of NGOs. This is a moment for rebirth. We must not only become victims, but architects of the next civic renaissance,” he said.
Bere added that sustainability should not be narrowly defined in financial terms but in an organisation’s ability to remain anchored to its mission despite pressure.
“Sustainability is not about keeping the lights on. It is about remaining faithful to the mission,” he said.
Participants pointed to a convergence of pressures weighing down the sector from dwindling funding streams and rising inequality to increased demand for services as governments struggle to meet citizens’ needs.
Civic leader Maureen Sigauke emphasised that building resilient institutions requires deliberate investment in systems, leadership development, and long-term thinking.
“Strong institutions outlive individuals. Without systems, we are just personalities managing crises,” she said.
A recurring theme in the dialogue was the concept of “accidental leadership,” where activists are thrust into leadership roles without the necessary training or support.
While passion and commitment have sustained many organisations, experts warned that this model is no longer sufficient in a complex and hostile operating environment.
Sector leaders also stressed the need for civic organisations to reconnect with the communities they serve, warning that some have become too detached, operating more as project implementers than agents of social transformation.
Civic actors were urged to embrace systems thinking, strengthen alliances, and reclaim their voice in shaping public discourse rather than reacting defensively to state actions.