Fostering Nonviolence Across Zimbabwe’s Tribes
Listen to This Conversation
In today’s conversation, I’m joined by Ray Motsi from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe has a complex history, marked by significant violence stemming from the colonial rule of the British Empire and the subsequent fight for independence in the 1960s through the 80s. This history has deeply influenced the culture, where violence often became the preferred means of resolving conflict. The 1980s saw the continuation of this violence, with the government using brutal methods to suppress opposition.
Amidst this culture of violence, Ray co-founded Grace to Heal in 2003, with the mission of helping people process trauma and fostering peace, reconciliation, justice, and conflict transformation in Zimbabwe. I hope you enjoy this fascinating conversation with Ray as he shares his journey of standing alongside his people as a peacemaker.
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Intro/Outro music by skinfiltr8r.
Ray Motsi’s Bio
Ray Motsi is a dedicated advocate for peace and conflict transformation. An ordained Baptist minister, he served as the senior pastor of Bulawayo Baptist Church for 23 years. Ray holds an MA in Hebrew Language and Old Testament as well as a Ph.D. in Conflict Transformation and Trauma Healing, both from Pretoria University in South Africa. He is the founder of Grace to Heal (GtH), an NGO focused on conflict transformation and trauma healing at both community and personal levels.
As part of his commitment to social responsibility, Ray co-founded and chairs the Zimbabwe Christian Alliance (ZCA), a national network of Christian leaders aiming to contribute to the national dialogue from a faith-based perspective.
Ray’s involvement with the Mennonite Central Committee has taken him on missions across Africa, North America, and beyond, including Zambia, Mozambique, Swaziland, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, South Sudan, the USA, and Canada. Currently, he serves as the thematic leader for Memorialisation within the Zimbabwean National Transitional Justice Working Group (NTJWG). Since 2006, Ray has been actively engaged with the African Peace Institute, first as a participant and later as a facilitator in Kitwe, Zambia, and Johannesburg, South Africa.
Ray Motsi has been the President of the Theological College of Zimbabwe (TCZ) since 2011 and served as the African Peace Institute Coordinator from 2017 to 2019.
Published Papers Mentioned in Our Conversation:
About Grace to Heal
Grace to Heal is a non-profit organization which empowers communities through conflict transformation, peace advocacy, justice, trauma healing, reconciliation & mediation.
For more info about their work, visit their website gracetoheal.org