‘Harmonisation of laws key to regional integration’
Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe board chairperson Mrs Vimbai Nyemba was recently appointed president of the Southern Africa Development Community Lawyers Association (SADCLA), a voluntary association comprising law societies, bar associations and individual lawyers from 15 SADC countries. Mrs Nyemba is also a past president of the Law Society of Zimbabwe. The Sunday Mail’s TANYARADZWA RUSIKE (TR) spoke to Mrs VIMBAI NYEMBA (VN) about her new posting and her vision for the regional lawyers’ body.
TR: Can you give us a brief background of who Vimbai Nyemba is?
VN: Vimbai Nyemba is a senior lawyer in Zimbabwe who graduated at the University of Zimbabwe with an LLB (Hons) Degree in 1992.
Since 1992, she has been in private practice. Her legal practice V. Nyemba and Associates Legal Practitioners opened doors to the public in or about June 1997 in Harare.
Vimbai is a council member of the Commonwealth Lawyers’ Association.
She sits on various boards in Zimbabwe and is a winner of various professional awards.
TR: You have been appointed president of SADCLA, what does this appointment mean to you?
VN: My appointment as president means that I have taken a leadership role for SADCLA and the role requires that I make important decisions based on the organisation’s objectives, programmes, resources and most importantly, I work together with my colleagues in the executive committee (EXCO) and in Council to fulfil the organisation’s mission and goals. I am a first among equals.
This appointment to me means that my colleagues, the SADC lawyers, trust and respect me. The Law Society of Zimbabwe Council, who nominated me for the position, have confidence in my personal qualities and skills to lead effectively, judging from my previous experience as president of the Law Society of Zimbabwe and vice president of SADCLA.
My colleagues believe in me and that gives me courage to take the responsibility as president because I have a great team that goes with me all the way.
TR: What was your initial reaction to the appointment?
VN: Having been the vice president from 2018 to 2022, it is something that I was looking forward to, not necessarily for myself but for my country Zimbabwe. It was a victory for the Law Society of Zimbabwe and I felt that I had not let my law society down.
The thought of leading the representative body of law societies, bar associations from 15 member countries in the SADC region awakened me to the responsibilities attached to the office and of course a bit of fear creeped in to dilute the excitement.
As you know SADCLA is dedicated to the advancement and promotion of human rights, the rule of law, democracy and good governance in SADC region and beyond.
I began to think of SADCLA’s strategy during my tenure especially in light of the fact that there are going to be national elections in a number of countries in the region.
So in a nutshell, excitement, fear and a sense of responsibility all came at once in my mind.
TR: Before you assumed the regional position, what initiatives were you involved in locally and how have they helped shape the legal sector?
VN: Locally, I have been involved in a lot of initiatives especially with our local law society.
As past president of the Law Society, I am part of what we call “the elders” and when issues arise that affect the society, and membership, as elders we are called-in to give advice. Elders are mature and more rational and the effect of our advice to the Law Society usually leads to amicable resolutions of issues without clashing with the authorities.
I also in my individual capacity mentor young women especially lawyers and I have seen young ladies doing well under my guidance.
TR: How will your position and influence as SADCLA president contribute to development of the local legal sector.
VN: The objectives of SADCLA are going to be my enablers in my contribution to development of the legal sector.
As SADCLA president, I will encourage regional integration especially around the issue of cross-border legal practice.
This requires input by SADC regional governments whom I will seek to engage.
I will encourage and pursue the harmonisation of laws because regional integration will not be achievable without the harmonisation of laws. The removal of colonial boundaries will not be achievable if our laws are different.
SADCLA believes in the need for greater collaboration and cooperation between the profession and SADC institutions established by Article 9 of the SADC Treaty.
This will also go a long way in promoting regional integration. Following the objectives of the organisation, my council will work hard to ensure that the people of the region are served by an independent and efficient legal profession which is honourable, ethical and of integrity. I will encourage the improvement of standards of legal education and the promotion of exchange of legal expertise and institutional exchange programmes for lawyers and students. My council will provide support to law societies and bar associations in the region.