Dr. Edknowledge Mandikwaza is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Centre for Mediation in Africa at the University of Pretoria. He has experience as a development practitioner specializing in democracy building, social accountability monitoring, citizen participation, rights promotion, and peacebuilding. Over eight years, Edknowledge has made significant contributions to the field of transitional justice and peacebuilding in Zimbabwe.
Currently, Edknowledge is leading a research project centred on Africa’s National Dialogue Pathways. The project aims to contribute to the scholarship on the problem formulation and implementation process design of national dialogues in Africa. His research interests encompass traditional peacebuilding, transitional justice, mediation, national dialogues, electoral violence, human rights defence, social justice activism, climate change and sustainable development.
As a peacebuilding practitioner, Edknowledge has been instrumental in transitional justice policy research and advocacy. He has worked to establish grassroots level infrastructures for peace such as local peace committees and facilitating community mediation and dialogue to foster social cohesion and trust building at local, sub-national and national levels. Edknowledge is committed to non-violent social justice advancement, building trust between citizens and the state, and empowering marginalized communities to bring into the open their concerns and influence their future with full strength and authority.
Book Chapters
- Mandikwaza E and Moyo, S. (2022) ‘Zimbabwe’s Foreign Policy Trajectory: Dawn of a New Era? In Zhou, G and Zvoushe (eds) The Public Policy Question in Zimbabwe’s Evolving Development Agenda Policy as the Hub of National Development.
Peer reviewed publications
- Mwonzora, G. and Mandikwaza, E., (2019) The Menu of Electoral Manipulation in Zimbabwe: Food Handouts, Violence, Memory, and Fear–Case of Mwenezi East and Bikita West 2017 by-elections. Journal of Asian and African Studies
- Mandikwaza, E. (2019) Constructive National Dialogue in Zimbabwe. Conflict Trends Issue (2019)2.
- Mandikwaza, E. and Zvaita, G. T. (2019) Zimbabwe’s Elections: Winner Takes All. Journal of Good Governance Africa: Africa in Fact (Special Edition), (1)
- Mandikwaza, E. (2018) Nhimbe: Utilising a Traditional Practice in Community Peacebuilding. Conflict Trends (2018) 2.
- Mandikwaza, E. (2016) The Place for Justice in Zimbabwe’s Transitional Justice Process. Conflict Trends (Issue 2)1
Research Projects and Reports
- Mungure, S and Mandikwaza (2020) Transitional Justice in Non-Transitional Societies: The Case of Uganda and Zimbabwe. Heal Zimbabwe, Harare. Available at: https://www.kpsrl.org/sites/default/files/HZT – Transitional Justice in Pre-Transitional Societies lr.pdf
- Mungure, S, Mandikwaza, E, Manjova, C. and Guthrey, H. (2018) A Baseline Study Report on the Peace and Reconciliation Process in Zimbabwe. An Ideal Bottom-up Peace and Reconciliation Framework in Zimbabwe. Heal Zimbabwe Trust, Harare. Available at: https://kubatana.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Heal-Zimbabwe-BASELINE-REPORT-ON-PEACE-AND-RECONCILIATION-PROCESSES.pdf
- Research Project: “Re-examining elections after African experiences” sponsored by Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales (EHESS) and the Institut des MondesAfricains (IMAF) in Paris, France 2018 and 2023.