End of an error…as Kubatana closes shop
• Donor fatigue bites regime change projects
Mako Jerera
Kubatana Trust Zimbabwe, a Non Governmental Organisation has announced that they will be shutting down operations, after failing to secure funds to remain operational.
The organisation which was started in 2001 was at one point the darling of Western embassies and regime change funders but has since been dislodged by other emerging organisations competing over the dwindling donor cake.
Through its website and weekly newsletters, Kubatana were trying hard to enrage Zimbabweans, without much luck.
Their catch catchphrase “if you are not outraged you are not paying attention”, summarizes their approach, which was a far-cry from the humanitarian thrust they claimed to pursue when they were founded.
It also served as a recruitment platform for western sponsored organisation that sought to attract Zimbabwean talent to serve their crooked agendas.
In a statement, the organisation admitted that they have lost favour in the eyes of donors.
“Our community means the most to us, which is why we’re here to tell you this in person. We still believe that our work is absolutely essential – maybe more now than ever. But sadly, despite our relentless efforts, we have been unable to secure the financial support our operations require to continue. This has forced our board to take the difficult decision that we have to close our doors until we can find a way for our work to be more sustainable,” the statement read.
Kubatana`s fate is a glimpse into what currently obtains in the civic society.
With countries tightening their belts to react to global economic shocks, they are beginning to defund regime change projects which have for over two decades failed to deliver on their assignment.
Sources say the organisation, is not the last to shut its doors, as other projects of similar beliefs are also in dire straits.
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