Zimbabwe Vigil Diary – 17th February 2007

Campaign). He was full of praise for WOZA and said its type of action was a way forward for Africa. The Vigil offered two extra petitions to be signed: one for Zimbabweans subscribing to the Charter and another for passers-by supporting it. We had many signatures to both, drawn by the exuberant dancing and singing of our supporters.
The Vigil was pleased that the French government decided not to invite President Mugabe to the French /African summit in Cannes. We can now reveal that the French Embassy in London gave us assurances of this some months ago after our lobbying. We are happy that their assurances were genuine and that they are working with us in demanding democracy in Zimbabwe. We are already involved in engaging Portugal about their apparent intention to invite Mugabe to the AU/EU summit, which we understand will be held in Lisbon in October (not April as one source suggests). With the support of our trade union friends – both in the UK and now in France – we have hopes of similar success. We know this is a small matter in the backdrop of the great tragedy unfolding in Zimbabwe but we feel it is one small way we can help to make the world aware of the Zimbabwean holocaust.
Vigil supporters were interested to hear that Zimbabwean diplomats have not been receiving their pay so we posted the following notice on the Embassy for them “Embassy Staff join the striking workers in Zimbabwe. Demand an end to crazed dictatorship. Mugabe must go.” They seem to have responded very quickly to our comments on their Victoria Falls poster (see Vigil Diary of 18/11/06). The poster has gone – the Victoria Falls are on holiday again. Are they hungry enough to join the Vigil? The Zimbabwean singer Viomak has offered to feed them next Saturday.
Last Sunday Vigil supporters attended a special service for Zimbabwe at the beautiful St Mary’s Church in the pretty village of Speldhurst in Kent organised by our faithful English supporters, Sue and Francesca Toft. One of the speakers was Vigil leader Ephraim Tapa who spoke movingly of his awful experiences before he had to flee from Zimbabwe. He said “Zimbabwe is a house on fire”. He certainly touched the hearts of the congregation who gave generously to a collection for Zimbabwean charities which raised in excess of £1,000.
For this week’s Vigil pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/
FOR THE RECORD: 99 signed the register.
FOR YOUR DIARY:
-Saturday, 24th February – Special Vigil to mark the release of Viomak’s Album “Happy 83rd Birthday President R G Mugabe (bones of a 30 year old)”.
-Saturday, 24th February – 11 am – 3 pm. The Bristol Vigil meets under the covered way, just near the Watershed, Canon’s Road, Harbourside.
-Monday, 26th February, 7.30 pm. Central London Zimbabwe Forum. Upstairs at the Theodore Bullfrog pub, 28 John Adam Street, London WC2 (cross the Strand from the Zimbabwe Embassy, go down a passageway to John Adam Street, turn right and you will see the pub.
-Saturday, 10th March, 1-4 pm – ACTSA rally for Zimbabwe in Trafalgar Square. The Vigil will still be manned during the two hours the rally overlaps with the Vigil. Mass toyi-toyi to the Vigil planned at the end of the rally.