Draft:Rutendo Bereza Matinyarare

Early Life
Rutendo Benson Matinyarare is a renowned Zimbabwean anti-sanctions activist. He was born on the 6 June 1976 in Harare, Zimbabwe. He currently serves as the Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Anti-Sanctions Movement (ZASM) and is the founder of Zimbabweans Unite Against US War Sanctions (ZUAUWS). Rutendo is known for his ability to bring attention to unpopular issues and make them mainstream, even without a budget, as demonstrated in his efforts related to Zimbabwe sanctions, pan Africanism.

Zimbabwe Anti-Sanctions
Rutendo has been an integral part of Zimbabwe’s fight against US, UK, and EU sanctions on Zimbabwe till sanctions were removed in March 2024. He has been involved in in very fearsome debates and discussions regarding the legality and impact of sanctions, engaging UN special rapporteur Zimbabwean sanctions. Rutendo successfully convinced the Zimbabwean Government to depoliticize its fight against this economic war by launching a national, regional, and continental legal and publicity campaign against these sanctions. His aggressive social media efforts and proposals to the government led to the creation of the Patriotic Act in Zimbabwe, which aims to punish unpatriotic citizens collaborating with foreign governments to attack Zimbabwe.The US government finally removed sanctions that were imposed on Zimbabwe in March 2024. The Zimbabwe sanctions removal announcement was also made on the US government official website

His public narrative highlights how sanctions are crimes against humanity and should be challenged in multilateral bodies and international courts. In May 2021, US personnel contacted him seeking clarity on his position, and he articulated the illegality of the sanctions and their impact on human rights in Zimbabwe. Subsequently, the US Congress Subcommittee on Global Human Rights, Health, and Organization decided to undertake an impact assessment of their sanctions on human rights and health, acknowledging for the first time that their sanctions affect civilians. Rutendo’s efforts have played a crucial role in shedding light on the impact of sanctions and advocating for change.

Education
He is a marketing and brand architect, marketing strategist and a fellow of the Institute of Marketing Management of South Africa and the Chartered Institute of Marketing (UK). Additionally, he holds the PRINCE 2 Project Management Practitioner certification.

Controversy and Legal Battles

 * He has been sued by telecommunications guru Strive Masiyiwa after he made accusations on the disappearance of Edward Matambanadzo and Econet tax evasion.
 * He has been served with Innscor Interim Court Order after he made allegation of Innscor selling illegal non-GMO products in Zimbabwe. He later carried out some lab test in South Africa and France and the case is in court.
 * He caused controversy on social media after he encouraged Shona men to impregnate Ndebele women.