Edknowledge Mandikwaza

Biography

Edknowledge Mandikwaza is a mid-level career professional and scholar in peacebuilding and transitional justice policy and practice. He is officially attached to Heal Zimbabwe Trust, a Zimbabwean peacebuilding organisation, as a Programme Manager, but he also teaches peace studies at the University of Zimbabwe in the Department of Peace Security and Society.  Edknowledge just completed his Doctoral studies at the Durban University of Technology (2018-2021) and awaits his thesis examination results. He graduated with an MSc. in Development Policy, Practice and Process from the University of Reading (2013), an MSc. in International Relations (2011) and a BSc. (Hons) in Political Science (2010) from the University of Zimbabwe (ZW). He also trained in international dialogue and mediation with the Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation in Sweden.

Edknowledge aspires to become an expert in conflict analysis, mediation, and transitional justice programming with a view to contributing his efforts towards a peaceful and secure Africa (Agenda 2063). His research interests include traditional peacebuilding, transitional justice, mediation, national dialogues, electoral violence, human rights defence, and social justice activism.

As a peacebuilding practitioner, Edknowledge has been involved in transitional justice policy research and advocacy, establishing grassroots infrastructures for peace including local peace committees and facilitating community dialogues for 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 supporting the marginalized to exercise and amplify their voices, to shape and control their future with full strength and authority. Towards this commitment, Edknowledge provides pro-bono technical support to the National Association of Societies for the Care of the Handicapped (NASCOH).