https://www.flickr.com/photos/
Thanks to those who came today: Elizabeth Chitenga, Munashe Madziyauswa, Chantelle Manyande, Philip Maponga, Samantha Pfupajena, Ephraim Tapa, Peter Tatchell and Tatenda Tsumba. Photos: https://www.flickr.
Zimbabwe Vigil activists were happy to receive veteran human rights activist, Peter Tatchell, who made a special visit as he always does whenever he has the chance.
In buoyant mood, Peter congratulated the Vigil, describing it as arguably the longest campaign in British history. The Zimbabwe Vigil, which started in October 2002, will reach 24 years in existence this year, a milestone achieved by few.
Peter cited the resilience, commitment and courage displayed by activists to have come this far commenting, ‘no dictatorship stays forever and even that of Mnangagwa will fall one day’. He added, ‘it only takes activists like you to remain standing and pushing, giving those trapped in Zimbabwe a voice, victory is yours’.
Poignantly, Peter reminded activists that he had participated in the 1970s liberation war, fundraising for ZANU and securing medicare for the ZANLA cadres, then in the bush. He said it was sad and hypocritical that today’s ZANU PF had a strong aversion/dislike of its 1970s manifesto, which had human rights and democracy as central to the war. In support, Vigil activist Samantha Pfupajena remarked, ‘power corrupts!’.
Another Vigil long-time activist, Phillip Maponga said, ‘that’s why we remain standing here to say no to the 2030 agenda’, which was described as a ploy by Mnangagwa to buy time for his boys, so they are in a position to take over at the end of ED Mnangagwa’s reign, thereby establishing the Mnangagwa dynasty’.
Peter ended his visit by chanting ‘aluta continua!’
For Vigil pictures check: http://www.flickr.com/
Events and Notices:
- Next Vigil meeting outside the Zimbabwe Embassy. Saturday 7th March from 2 – 5 pm. We meet on the first and third Saturdays of every month. On other Saturdays the virtual Vigil will run.
- The Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHR) is the Vigil’s partner organisation based in Zimbabwe. ROHR grew out of the need for the Vigil to have an organisation on the ground in Zimbabwe which reflected the Vigil’s mission statement in a practical way. ROHR in the UK actively fundraises through membership subscriptions, events, sales etc to support the activities of ROHR in Zimbabwe.
- The Vigil’s book ‘Zimbabwe Emergency’ is based on our weekly diaries. It records how events in Zimbabwe have unfolded as seen by the diaspora in the UK. It chronicles the economic disintegration, violence, growing oppression and political manoeuvring – and the tragic human cost involved. It is available at the Vigil. All proceeds go to the Vigil and our sister organisation the Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe’s work in Zimbabwe. The book is also available from Amazon.
- Facebook pages:
- Vigil : https ://www.facebook.
com/zimbabwevigil - ROHR: https://www.facebook.
com/Restoration-of-Human- Rights-ROHR-Zimbabwe- International-370825706588551/ - ZAF: https://www.facebook.com/
pages/Zimbabwe-Action-Forum- ZAF/490257051027515
The Vigil, outside the Zimbabwe Embassy, 429 Strand, London meets regularly on Saturdays from 14.00 to 17.00 to protest against gross violations of human rights in Zimbabwe. The Vigil which started in October 2002 will continue until internationally-monitored, free and fair elections are held in Zimbabwe.