ZIMBABWEANS can now apply for Commonwealth scholarships following an easing of tension between the organisation and the southern African country.
The country iniatiated dialogue with the Commonwealth at a three-day round table meeting which started on Tuesday this week — a move seen as a precursor to having Zimbabwe bounce back to the Commonwealth family.
Officials from the inclusive Government attended the three-day meeting with representatives from the Commonwealth grouping this week in Johannesburg.
They held a roundtable meeting to drum up humanitarian aid for the country and re-establish formal links, according to a statement from the grouping.
At the meeting it was agreed that a network of regional and international civic organisations affiliated to the Commonwealth will develop a special programme to assist Zimbabwe with training, along with technical and other humanitarian support.
Zimbabwe voluntarily left the Commonwealth in 2003.
Yesterday, the head of the Commonwealth Foundation, Mark Collins, said in Johannesburg that Zimbabweans could apply for Commonwealth scholarships
again.
Collins said engagement with Zimbabwe by the Commonwealth network had been growing since civil society bodies petitioned for such support at the 2007
Commonwealth heads of state and government meeting in Kampala, Uganda.
“This meeting has been the first step and a programme for the future has been developed,” Collins said.
Formal political ties between Zimbabwe and the Commonwealth are yet to be restored. Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai met Commonwealth officials during his recent visit to Europe and the US.
brian shayanewako says
i need this scholarship you are my last hope please