Beatrice Mtetwa

Beatrice Mtetwa is a Swazi born and naturalised Zimbabwean lawyer who has been internationally recognized for her defense of journalists and press freedom. Mtetwa and Tawanda Nyambirai founded Mtetwa & Nyambirai Legal Practitioners in 2006 and it has established itself over the past decade as one of Zimbabwe's leading law firms. In 2005, she won the International Press Freedom Award of the Committee to Protect Journalists. The award citation stated that "in a country where the law is used as a weapon against independent journalists, Mtetwa has defended journalists and argued for press freedom, all at great personal risk."

Beatrice Mtetwa of Zimbabwe - 2014 IWOC Awardee

Quotes

• "I am not an activist because there is any glory or cash to it and not because I'm trying to antagonize the government... I'm doing it because it's a job that's got to be done."
  • Beatrice Mtetwa HRD Zimbabwean Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR)

• "I have, even as a child, always been a firm believer in fairness and always strive to be even-handed in my dealings with everyone."
  • Beatrice Mtetwa: Zimbabwe’s Frontline Defender Of Human Rights

• "If anyone wants change,they have the obligation to do something to attain that change." The only weapon I developed as a form of protest was to surreptitiously take out the air from the bicycle tyres every morning, which almost always delayed the cyclists. From then on, I questioned virtually everything I did not agree with.
  • Courage of Zimbabwe human rights lawyer captured in film

• "What should be important is the fact that you are the best man or woman for the job and if you are you should be appointed."
  • Beatrice Mtetwa: In Conversation with Trevor

Quotes about Beatrice Mtetwa

• The system is afraid of her. She is steadfast, determined & resolute. Don't omit her when names of heroes of this generation are called
  • She'gave them hell and they lost their marbles': Beatrice Mtetwa's long fight for justice

• Beatrice Mtetwa is a regionally and internationally recognised lawyer and woman human rights defender who is known for her fearlessness and dedication to tenaciously use the law to protect the rights of others while placing herself in the firing line
  • Hands off Beatrice Mtetwa! Southern Africa Women Human Rights Defenders