And who knows? the presence of Ambassador Machinga might be entertaining as he goes around Westminster Abbey soliciting signatures supporting the two million person anti-sanctions petition. Judging by the level of coercion, every signature counts!
Zim Vigil regular, Swazi national Thobile Gwebu took a stronger line when she heard that King Mswati of Swaziland would be present at the wedding, travelling to London with an entourage of no less than fifty to stay at the super expensive Dorchester hotel. Thobile, who launched a Vigil outside the Swaziland High Commission in London modeled on our own protest, was particularly annoyed that the worlds last absolute monarch would make impoverished Swaziland a laughing stock at the occasion, what with his 13 wives. Mswati was a pupil at Sherborne public school in England which was founded in 1550 which seems to be the epoch where Mswati aims to keep Swaziland.
In the light of the uprisings in North and West Africa, South African President Jacob Zuma has warned SADC leaders of the dangers of taking people for granted. Zumas warning has not been heeded in Swaziland or Zimbabwe. Indeed, violence in Zimbabwe has been increasing even in the absence of the whisky-loving commander of the defence forces, Constantine Chiwenga, who has gone to China to dry out.
The Vigil marked the 31st anniversary of Zimbabwes Independence on April 18 by protesting outside the Zimbabwe Embassy from 12 noon to 3 pm against this violence. We were joined by Action for Southern Africa, the successor organization of the anti-apartheid movement, which sent a card to the Zimbabwean Ambassador to pass on demands for an immediate end to the violence, free and fair elections and justice for the people of Zimbabwe.
The Zim Vigil band (Farai Marema and Dumi Tutani) has launched its theme song Vigil Yedu (our Vigil) to raise awareness through music. To download this single, visit website: www.imusicafrica.com
Post published in: Uncategorized