It is with profound sadness that we, at ZimRights join the global peacebuilding community in mourning the untimely passing of Dr Webster Zambara, a visionary leader and devoted advocate for peace.
A proud Pan-Africanist, Dr Zambara’s contributions to peacebuilding, transitional justice and conflict transformation in Zimbabwe, South Africa, Africa, and across the world have left an indelible mark on countless lives and communities.
Dr Zambara was a towering figure in the peacebuilding community. His leadership and expertise were instrumental in shaping key institutions and initiatives that have become beacons of hope for many.
His thought leadership was crucial in the campaign for transitional justice in Zimbabwe, SADC and Africa as a whole. Through his work with civil society in Zimbabwe, he was a key contributor to the birth of the National Transitional Justice Working Group in Zimbabwe and the Peace Building Network of Zimbabwe, as well as the operationalisation of the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission.
His impact extended to grassroots movements and young peacebuilders across Africa. Dr Zambara was a vital force behind the growth of the Zimbabwe Peace Project’sPeace Ambassador Campaign, empowering individuals and communities to become advocates for peace.
Untiring in his quest for peace, Dr Zambara was an Expert Advisor to ZimRights’ Right to Peace Campaign which saw communities rise to claim peace as a right in line with the UN Declaration of the Right of Peoples to Peace.
Beyond Zimbabwe, Dr Zambara’s influence was felt across Africa and beyond. As the Senior Project Leader for Peacebuilding Initiatives at the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation in Cape town, he brought together peacebuilders from diverse backgrounds, fostering collaboration and sharing strategies for building and sustaining peace. His work resonated globally, as he featured on numerous peacebuilding platforms, initiatives, and in academic discourse, sharing his vast knowledge and experience.
Dr Zambara’s academic foundation was solidified under the mentorship of Prof. Dr. Johan Galtung, the late founder of the discipline of Peace Studies, from whom he drew inspiration and knowledge. His scholarly work was matched by his practical approach to conflict transformation, making him a respected peacebuilder in both academic and practitioner circles.
At the time of his passing, Dr Zambara was serving as the Senior Project Leader for Peacebuilding Initiatives at the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation (IJR). His contributions to the IJR, as they noted in their heartfelt tribute, have left a lasting impact on communities across Africa. His unwavering commitment to justice, reconciliation, and the promotion of peace will continue to inspire all who knew him.
Dr Zambara’s death is a tremendous loss to humanity. The world is poorer without him, but richer that he has passed through it and lived the peace mission to the last drop of his life. His legacy of compassion, wisdom, and relentless pursuit of peace will endure, guiding us as we continue the work he dedicated his life to.
We extend our deepest condolences to Dr Zambara’s wife, Tracy, his family, friends, and colleagues at IJR during this difficult time. Our greatest tribute is to hold on to the vision of a peaceful world that Dr. Zambara devoted his life to see.
Rest in power, Dr Webster Zambara. Your life’s work will continue to light our path towards peace.