From August 2016 to July 2017 ZHRO members Rashiwe Bayisayi and John Burke set about finding a practical walking route from Brighton to London. Some 100 miles of walking later; By utilising the old railway route, now called the Downs Link, that took us all the way to Guildford. From Guildford the River routes allowed us to get to Kempton Park and latterly Hampton Court. We have now completed 8 such walks: 2017 to 2022 each year [whilst we did WALK4FREEDOM in 2020, 2021 and in 2022 during "Lockdown" the end result was we skipped 2023 and 2024 unfortunately]. So we re-started in 2025 and 2026. However we did do some regiaonal WALKS 4 FREEDOM in 2023 and see MAY 2023 - North Yorkshire but in 2023 and 2024 we did a record number of Petition Deliveries and Demos instead See ARTICLE
Also see preparation articles due soon and our Facebook Page too
Walking for Activism: for fitness, for publicity; for a public reaction. But just to mingle in the wonderful British country-side and to enjoy the scenery
On 28 March 2026, I travelled to Blackburn in the United Kingdom to participate in a peaceful “Walk for Freedom” organised by members of the Zimbabwean diaspora. The gathering took place at Witton Park Arena, where Zimbabweans from different parts of the UK came together in solidarity.
The purpose of the walk was to raise awareness about the ongoing political, social, and economic challenges in Zimbabwe. Participants expressed concern about governance, human rights issues, and the future of democracy in the country. The demonstration remained peaceful throughout, with individuals carrying Zimbabwean flags, placards, and banners displaying messages calling for accountability, justice, and reform.
During the event, participants engaged in discussions, shared personal experiences, and demonstrated unity in highlighting the situation back home. The presence of organised groups and coordinated messaging reflected a collective effort to bring attention to issues affecting Zimbabwean citizens both inside and outside the country.
My participation in this event was voluntary and motivated by personal concern about the situation in Zimbabwe. Being part of such public demonstrations reflects my political opinion and association with others who are critical of the current conditions in Zimbabwe.This article serves as a truthful account of my involvement in the Blackburn Walk for Freedom and is provided as supporting evidence of my political expression and activities while in the United Kingdom.
Walk for Freedom — Witton Park, Blackburn, Lancashire
The Diaspora Walks — And the Regime Listens
On 28th March 2026, Zimbabweans from across the United Kingdom gathered at Witton Park, Blackburn, to march peacefully against Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 and the Mnangagwa government’s “ED2030” agenda. What happened next revealed far more about the regime than about the marchers.
Plans are underway for the 1st 2026 Walk 4 Freedom
ZHRO Walking for Freedom starting in Blackburn, at Witton Park, where we had a glorious time last year on the 5th April 2025 (SEE FLICKR Album HERE)
The walk is scheduled for 28 March at 9:30 am assembly time and 10:00 am starting time.
The finishing time will be announced in due course after consultation and agreement to the total number of hours for the walk. The MAP Route LINK is HERE based on Last Year's Experience! Please CLICK on the MAP IMAGE to enlarge
Please note that the walk is self-sponsored. Melody Phyllis Magejo will redesign & print the flyer for publicity. Let's all work in unison inviting others for the good cause to Free ourselves for a better Zimbabwe.
John Burke and The Organizing Team: Phylis Melody Magejo, Dickson Chikwizo and Josephine Sipiwe Jenje-Mudimbu can be contacted for further details. We will continue with further updates. Stay blessed.
105km Journey from Brighton Pier to Hampton Court Railway Station
Executive Summary
The Zimbabwe Human Rights Organisation (ZHRO) successfully completed its 2025 Walk for Freedom on 10th August 2025, covering 105 kilometres from Brighton Pier to Hampton Court Railway Station. Despite challenging terrain and forecasted hot weather conditions, a dedicated group of participants demonstrated remarkable determination and solidarity in walking for Zimbabwe's freedom, completing the arduous two-day journey that included an overnight section.
It was not just those that attended the physical event either, so many had offered their support for this 2025 'Walk for Freedom' in the preceeding weeks and months by statements, ideas, testimony and the recognition of the purpose of this event - which started as an idea in 2016.
The 105km journey as described below, really comes across as much more than just a physical challenge - it's a powerful statement of resolve from the Zimbabwean diaspora community.
Event Overview
Preparations: A big 'thank-you' has to be made to Melody and Josephine who initiated a training programme of local walk events (see previous articles)
Start: Brighton Pier, 6:00 AM Saturday 9th August 2025 Finish: Hampton Court Railway Station, 4:00 PM Sunday 10th August 2025
Distance: 105 kilometres
Duration: 34 hours (Walk continued by overnight walking)
Participants: - first names at various stages - and recorded in the ZHRO register in full, plus mobile, e-mail and their residential locations in the UK
Navigation Aids: OS Online - with route planned & recorded by John in addition, on the walk assisted by Moses, Henry and most effectively, Kelvin Mhlanga
Pre-Dawn Preparations
The commitment of our participants was evident from the earliest hours. While the official start time was set for 6:00 AM at Brighton Pier, Shamiso demonstrated extraordinary dedication by arriving at 5:10 AM to prepare. Even more remarkable was Ettar's journey - having taken a night bus and arriving at Brighton Bus Station by 2:20 AM, showing the lengths to which our community will go to stand for Zimbabwe's freedom. A few others had organised stay overs with friends. But most extraordinary were Moses, Daisy and Alwyn - who had made plans but were ruined by a flight cancellation - meaning an arrival into the UK on Friday in the early hours! Plus a run from Manchester Airport to Brighton!
WALK FOR FREEDOM 9-10 AUGUST 2025 IN THE UNITED KINGDOM
We lift up our eyes and look into the distance, Latitude 17.9316 and longitude 25.8302. The Lozi Nation calls it Mosi-oa-Tunga (Thundering Smoke/Smoke that Rises/ Smoke that Thunders). The Tonga Nation calls it Shungu Namutitima (Boiling Water). The rest of the world knows this place as The Mighty Victoria Falls.
This is UNESCO’s One of the Seven Wonders of Nature. Lifted up so the whole world may take note of it.
It is the World’s largest falls with a width of 1,708 meters and a height of 108 meters. It has the World's largest sheet of falling water. The spray of the water rises up 400 meters and is visible from 50 km. Daily it has many rainbows and at night during a full moon it has a “Moonbow“ which is a rainbow at night, a “Luner Rainbow“.
This place is stranger than fiction, for those that levitate into the dark arts state that the waters that have not yet flown over the falls have a different spiritual quality than the waters that are now flowing over the falls. In this regard these waters are used for different purposes in their dark art.
Our gaze shifts to a silhouetted lone dancer next to a huge upside-down tree, the Baoba. This tree looks as if it has been uprooted and turned upside down with its roots in the air. It is a tree that can live for over three thousand years. Yes three thousand years! This place is cloaked in mystery, contradictions and unquantifiable forces.
The silhouetted dancer dances on his own to a single drum beat. The drum beat rhythm and tone immediately pulls at one’s heart to take note and to pay attention. The dance is a knee and feet dance with the upper body remaining ridged, like the Irish Traditional Dance. Every time the dances feet pound the ground, dust rises into the air. Today the dancer has been dancing for two hours non-stop. He is 86 years of age…..!!
The dancer dances and the drummer pounds the drum because they wish to take their spirits into the air, to levitate. They seek answers. They seek answers. They seek answers.
The question being asked is “How can it be that a place like this, a gift from The Almighty himself has failed to impact the world because of what the current Administration in Zimbabwe has done and continues to do!“
The people of this place and country are closely in touch with their inner self. They instinctively know that we do not just exist on this plane and in this realm only.
And so over 6,000 miles due north and a little west we arrived at the green and pleasant fields of the United Kingdom. The Royal House of Windsor has a new monarch, HRM Charles III. A biblical exodus of people from Zimbabwe to the United Kingdom occurred and continues to happen. As they leave the entity that is not in tune with their spirits behind. Hundreds of thousands have arrived seeking refuge and sanctuary. Whilst many were brought in by The UK government to work in its Primary Health Care in the NHS.
These people are the people of the open areas, peoples of the plains, like many First Nation people are. In this regard in 2016 a small group got together and set themselves a challenge. That is, to walk 100 kilometres from Brighton to London, through the English countryside. This is not just a walk but rather it is a cathartic experience to assist these ancient people, to also spiritually levitate and seek out the same answers, being sought by the 86 year old silhouetted dancer at Mosi-oa-Tunga. Each step they take on this 100 Kilometer walk assists this process. We are now in 2025 and the 100 Kilometer walk is growing in participants.
We have had so many written reactions from the people who have walked or have an opinions upon the walks and Walk for Freedom - thaty we need to create this new sub-directory
Participation in Peaceful Demonstration in Blackburn, United Kingdom
Walk for Freedom — Witton Park, Blackburn, Lancashire
ZHRO Walk for Freedom 2025 - Event Report
ZIMBABWE CRISIS
