Popular activist, Joy Mabenge has resigned as a Director at Action AID Zimbabwe.
He had served as Country Director and Sub-Regional Convener for SADC at ActionAid Zimbabwe, bringing over 23 years of experience in civil society and NGO leadership across Zimbabwe and Africa. During his tenure, he was a prominent advocate for social justice, gender equality, and environmental issues, often speaking on behalf of ActionAid Zimbabwe in public statements and campaigns.
His leadership saw ActionAid Zimbabwe actively engage in critical issues such as wetland preservation, climate justice, and women’s rights, reflecting his commitment to sustainable development and social equity. Following his departure, Dr. Selina C was announced to take over leadership of ActionAid Zimbabwe effective July 1, 2025.
Writing on Linkedn, Mabenge said:
Friends, in May 2018, ActionAid International afforded me the rare opportunity to lead ActionAid Zimbabwe as the Country Director – I am forever grateful. I stepped in and took over from phenomenal leaders before me, and with the team at ActionAid Zimbabwe we made our modest contributions in search of social justice, economic justice, respect for human rights, gender equality and towards poverty eradication. We stepped in with humanitarian assistance when disaster struck, we built the resilience of communities to climate shocks, mobilized communities and stakeholders for climate justice, and of course we navigated a challenging terrain for advocacy as we talked transparency, accountability, democracy and human rights – we even produced the Citizens Manifesto. I ran my race and after exactly 7 years and 2 months I made the decision to pass on the button stick. My colleagues at ActionAid global, led by brother and comrade Arthur Larok, my fellow Country Directors from across the globe bade me farewell. Gifts and kind messages, I am overwhelmed.
My colleagues at ActionAid Zimbabwe made the video below as part of their farewell to me. I am humbled. Thank you Team AAZ and all we worked with!! The work continues! As for me – remaining in the space – as they say – One Struggle Many Fronts!! Aluta!!
