Category Archives: Speeches

FORUM MEETING: BULAWAYO Introduction Zimbabwe has never been in such an economic crisis as it is at present. Never before in our history have so many people been out of work, never before have our people battled to survive as they are now. The Z$ is a worthless currency, its spending power is minimal. ZANU […]

Talk to the National Railways of Zimbabwe Education Seminar INTRODUCTION I have been asked this afternoon to speak on “the legal framework for labour relations in Zimbabwe”. The topic is far too broad to do justice to it in 30 minutes; indeed students at University spend an entire year studying labour law. Accordingly I propose […]

What Sort of Men Are We Preparing for Our Society? By David Coltart 23rd October 1992 Christian Brothers College: 31st Annual Prize Giving My Lord Bishop, ladies and gentlemen. It is a great honour 17 years after leaving CBC to be asked back to speak this evening. I have very fond memories CBC and have […]

Zimbabwe: The establishment of independent and public enquiries By David Coltart Elimination and Terror: International Conference on Political Killings and ‘Disappearances’ organised by Amnesty International 4-6 September 1992 In the period since 1982 Zimbabwe has been the scene of some of the worst political killings and “disappearances” in Africa. Whilst the situation has undoubtedly improved […]

Lecture given to the Bulawayo Presbyterian Church The first response most people have when the relationship between the Church and politics is discussed is to cry that the Church should steer clear of politics; “Religion and politics do not mix” and “it is wrong for an Evangelical Church to have any involvement in politics.” Tonight […]

Accountability Problems in Zimbabwean Politics By David Coltart Address given to the Institute of Bankers: Bulawayo Branch Tuesday 19th May 1992 Accountability is a concept very close to the hearts of all bankers. Not only are you concerned to ensure that your clients are always accountable for their actions to you when they owe you […]

PRISON FELLOWSHIP ZAMBIA: CONSULTATION ON THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM – 26 to 28 MARCH 1992 INTRODUCTION At the outset let me say what a great privilege and honour it is for me to be here today not. For many of us in Zimbabwe who have been battling with grave human rights abuses and the oppression […]

An Introduction to ESAP: Zimbabwe 1992 By David Coltart 31st January 1992 Danish Volunteer Service Development Workers Meeting, Maphisa It is a great pleasure to have been asked to address you today, but before commencing I should warn you that not much weight should be attached to what I and Jonathan Moyo have to say […]

Speech given to Open Forum at Bulawayo The phrase Structural Adjustment is being bandied about so much these days that it seems that it has always been with us. Whilst it is in vogues phrase it is in fact a new one in Zimbabwe at least. The same does not apply to the rest of […]

Legal Aid and Human Rights Group: Session 4 Paper Presented by Mr David Coltart, Legal Resources Foundation, Zimbabwe Empowering People, Civil Associations and Democratic Development in Sub-Saharan Africa 12 – 16 August 1991, International Conference Centre, Arusha, Tanzania INTRODUCTION: Brief History of Legal Aid and Human Rights Groups in Zimbabwe Zimbabwe was colonised 100 years […]