Yesterday, I chaired the board at the Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) for the last time. I assumed it would be just an ordinary board meeting and that I would simply check out into the sunset. But no—the ZPP leadership surprised me with a beautiful end-of-tenure tribute.

I was pleasantly surprised and deeply touched. Thank you, ZPP, for this special tribute that I will always treasure. During the farewell, Dr. Mpofu of the Zimbabwe Council of Churches reflected on my tenure and said he was impressed by how seriously I take leadership. Many boards merely tick boxes, rubber-stamp decisions, sign off on allowances, and disappear. He pointed out that this was not the case during my time. This is true. As I express my gratitude, I share the four core beliefs that guide my work as a member of the ZPP Board and later as the Board Chair.

  1. Leadership is Serious Business – I believe leadership is a serious responsibility. When we are entrusted with the duty to lead, we must take it seriously and commit the necessary time and resources to do it well. As John C. Maxwell says, “Everyone deserves to be led well.” Many people depend on us as leaders, and we can make or break lives. As boards, we make or break organisations. If you do not have time for it, do not accept the appointment. Politely decline and allow others to serve.
  1. Presence Matters – If you take leadership seriously, recognize that it is impossible to lead successfully in absentia. Leaders who are committed must be present. Too often, leaders become “celebrity leaders,” constantly traveling, attending every conference, and accepting endless speaking engagements at the expense of their organization. They are everywhere except where they are needed most. Leaders are called to serve and to be present.
  1. Values Matter – When a zebra is about to give birth, it leaves the herd and gives birth in isolation. After birth, the mother and foal spend several days apart from the herd. During this time, the foal memorizes the mother’s scent, appearance, and vocalizations. This is a critical bonding period, and the process is called “imprinting.” When they return to the herd, the foal never forgets its mother. This illustrates the importance of presence and values in leadership. Organizations appoint leaders expecting their values to align with those of the organization. The best way for leaders to imprint positive values is through their presence. When a leader is absent, someone else will shape the organization’s values and culture. A leader who spends their time in airports between conferences should not be surprised if their deputy starts running personal ventures from the boardroom, or if the Finance Manager starts dubious undertakings. Such leaders cannot claim, “I had no knowledge.” It is their responsibility to know. Absent boards must not be surprised when the Executive Director runs away with the organisation and takes it in a totally different direction. By being unavailable, they lose the chance to influence values and build a positive culture.
  1. Championing Mindful Transition – During my tenure as Chair, ZPP transitioned from Jestina Mukoko’s leadership. Under Jestina, ZPP became Zimbabwe’s most reliable source for information on human rights violations. Navigating the transition from Jestina to Perlagia Kapuya, who now leads the organization, was a true test of institutional resilience amid state hostility and donor fatigue. The highlight, for me, was when Jestina suggested holding the handover ceremony in Binga with the community peacebuilders. Reflecting on that event, it was seamless—Perlagia took over and led ZPP on a path of continued growth, despite challenges. Transitions are often difficult, and many organizations get lost or suffer greatly during the process. A mindful transition requires the incumbent to have a heart for their successor—leaving the organization in better condition than they found it and setting their successor up for success. As John Maxwell states in the Law of Legacy, “A leader’s lasting value is measured by succession.”

I am pleased that during my tenure, the ZPP board lived up to these principles. They are people I know who take leadership seriously. They are present and care about the values. I wish my successor at ZPP all the best. Thank you, ZPP, for your trust and the privilege to serve.

Dzikamai Bere
Outgoing Board Chairperson