This year's "reflections" dwell on the voting 'fiasco' in Zimbabwe and the failure of ZEC and Zanu PF to implement any of the recommendations offered by many Election Observers. 2023, what will happen this time - will the 'de facto' opposition party - the re-branded CCC, win again, with a simple majority, or will ZEC, again take weeks to "fiddle" [allegedly] the voting returns and numbers - backed up by a corrupt and "number blind" Judiciary?
As ZHRO, we have with the MyRight2Vote campaign and ROHR petitioned SADC, AU, FCDO and the BBC [on 20th July 2022 - see link to this HERE]. As a direct result we have an invitation to the FCDO [Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office] on the 18th August at 14:00 - a discreet and confidential meeting to discuss from a purely Human Rights perspective - The Right to a Free and Fair Election - as defined in Article 21 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948.
Wish us luck and further lobbying within the FCDO for the right to a free, fair and genuine election in Zimbabwe in 2023.
Our Flickr page of the 13-14th August is now available Click HERE there are more photos being added over this week.
Let's start our "reflections" with the comment from Rashiwe Bayisayi from last years as it's still highly relevant today.
"Walk for Freedom" started in 2016 as a symbol of solidarity with Zimbabweans 'back-home', and those within the diaspora. The 'Walk' symbolises the struggles we face at home and in 'Foreign Lands. Walking in the sun, rain, cold, day and night to give "awareness" to the British Public, and the World at large of what is happening in our Home Country. I call upon my fellow Country men and women to come and join the 'struggle' because united we stand and our 'plea' may reach all corners of the World. I trust that one day Freedom will come our way. I believe in our lifetime Human Rights will be respected, Freedom of speech will be recognised without fear of persecution.
- We are not going to stop until Zimbabwe is FREE. Let's "Walk for Freedom".
- #Walk for Freedom
- #Take2Zimbabwe
- Aluta Continua
by Rashiwe Bayisayi - Principal Walk Pathfinder, 2016 completion to Embassy, plus ZHRO 6 time completion medal winner.
It Was Too Hot!
What can we say - a high pressure over the Atlantic has caused hot air from the Sahara to be re-directed over the UK - especially the South Coast!
Joking aside, the plan {we did some considerable planning - see previous articles on this Walk Section} was to start early at 7:00am so that we would get to the Downs Link section {and the shade of the trees along that route} by 12:20 pm, as the temperatures were climbing. BUT - the best laid plans...of mice and men...{Robert Burns} So it is with some embarrassment that things went wrong immediately! We had some worries.
So the main group set off for the Devil's Dyke {Public House} a bit late, whilst Moses, myself and Alwyn set of at 9:00 {2 hours late!}
But it was too hot!
Moses and his family had driven down on Friday from Newcastle-upon-Tyne{!} in that searing heat, had been held up on the hopeless M25 {stationary for 25 minutes}, accidents and cars overheating all the way. So arrived already exhausted from the drive.
So this latter - late - group got to the Devil's Dyke {Public House} at 11:30am Saturday - so it was already....Too Hot! We made the best of it and Chipo Parirenyatwa kept us all happy with her Tik Tok "expertise"! 41,000 views on the day no less {now 48,100 17th Aug also see the other Tik Tok clips on many parts of the walk CLICK HERE }. Chipo then encouraged the Walkers to Jump - something which again has created a lot of interest. {see photos of the 3 "flying ladies" and most of the Walkers - off the ground}
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| Three Flying Ladies | Jump Everybody |
Banners were unfurled to indicate the problems in Zimbabwe regarding oppression, intimidation, abductions, torture, starvation and murder inflicted by the Zanu PF regime, as alluded to in our opening commentary. However to lighten the mood - this was done with singing and chanting - this gave us an 'audience' from those around the public car park at the top of this amazing view-point. A couple of Live Videos on our Facebook platform were also filmed - CLICK HERE to View and Another HERE
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| Banner on Devil's Dyke |
The next phase of the Walk we could see that would be a real 'trial', the heat by now was oppressive, and the valley below was sheltered from the refreshing sea breeze that we were feeling at the top of this part of the South Downs. The "Death Valley" Walk to Henfield would take its toll on those walking to the Cat and The Canary Public House at our joining the relatively sheltered Downs Link path eventually to Guildford, with intermediate stages at Christ's Hospital, Rudgewick, Cranleigh and Bramley & Wonerash {Old} Railway Station. All the Walk for Freedom participants were suffering when they arrived at the Cat & Canary Public House. Their arrival had been fore-warned by John Burke [who had opted out of the "Death Valley" part of the Walk]. So the patrons and the bar-maid in the Pub were in anticipation of the walking group's arrival, and the walkers were given pints of ice water!! Most drank two!!
Because "It was too Hot"
The intrepid Walkers now refreshed, set off under the relative shelter [from the Sun] on the Downs Link. The next leg of this journey was another 20km - and taking around 4 hours to traverse. See images on our Flickr Album This part was mostly flat and level. We hope to be able to add more photos of this part of the walk shortly - again these will be added to the Flickr Album as indicated previously.
So we met the walking group at the Green at the Village of Christ's Hospital {named after the Private School} Here there was food, drink and music to nourish the exhausted 'Walk for Freedom' group. Hot food, tea and suchlike was provided by the "Support Crew" in two cars - these cars also included the individual changes of clothing, foot-ware, water and ample blister plasters to heal the 'wounds' of the walk! They were also used to carry away those who could not continue any further - a sort of Walk for Freedom 'Ambulance Service'. Plaxedes 'retired' at this point.
After being fed and watered, the intrepid few {3 ladies and 2 men} set off on the second leg of the Downs Link, into the setting of the sun and the cool of the evening at around 20:25. They walked for freedom into the night. At 22:15 they were met at Rudgewick as this photo illustrates - walking now with head-torches into the gloom of tree lined footpaths.
