A Friendly Reply to Dr Mavaza:
On Lists, Legwork, and the Freedom to Laugh
John Burke, Zimbabwe Human Rights Organisation (ZHRO) — 14th September 2026
Article Source: From the platform : ZimbaNews
Dr Mavaza has clearly put in a shift this week. Seventy names, carefully assembled, for a walk that — according to our own published account, written before his piece appeared — had just over thirty people on it. That's not scrutiny, Doctor, that's over-catering. If you genuinely believe we've smuggled forty phantom Zimbabweans onto the Cinder Track, come and count them yourself next time. Bring a clipboard. We'll even find you a poncho, since it did rain, at first.
What's more telling is what the list crowded out. In the space Dr Mavaza spent totting up names, he could instead have mentioned the Larpool Viaduct — thirteen brick arches, forty years in the building, still standing over the Esk since 1885. Or Hayburn Wyke, which our walkers have taken to calling the "Valley of Hope," a genuine Site of Special Scientific Interest. Or the small matter that this stretch of Yorkshire coast is, by any honest account, breathtaking. None of that made the cut. A spreadsheet of names was apparently more urgent than the scenery, the history, or the fact that thirty-odd people spent a rainy Saturday singing and drumming their way to Whitby for the simple pleasure of it.
On the freedom to mock
Here is the part Dr Mavaza's piece never quite reaches: Zimbabweans in the diaspora are free to laugh at the regime's failures — the potholed roads, the rolling blackouts, the state broadcaster's talent for announcing "record harvests" in the middle of a food crisis — precisely because we are not in Zimbabwe. Try that kind of joke in Harare and you risk considerably more than a strongly worded op-ed. We know this because it is the entire reason organisations like ours exist. Over the past twelve months alone we have delivered petitions to Downing Street and the FCDO on maternal mortality, on the unconstitutional term-extension push, and on Africa Day — none of which involved banners, drums, or a single joke, and all of which Dr Mavaza's "political brand" theory conveniently ignores.
Building that confidence — the confidence to organise, to petition, to mock a government that would happily lock you up for the same joke back home — is exactly what Zimbassy is for: a space for the diaspora to build an active, self-assured community in the UK, something that simply isn't survivable inside Zimbabwe itself. As a British subject, I make no apology for encouraging that.
A word on who's actually reading this
Here's the part Dr Mavaza's own side doesn't dispute: he's spent years producing this kind of material — by some accounts two articles a day defending the party — and it has never once translated into a party position. This isn't our observation; it's a running theme in Zimbabwean commentary about him, including from outlets with no love for ZHRO. He's been described as a man ZANU-PF "will never recognise" unless you're related to the right people, still waiting for a reward that shows no sign of arriving. We made the same point back in 2021, after the COP26 episode below, when it looked very much like an attempt to earn back some standing rather than a genuine grievance about a walk in the rain.
None of which makes the arithmetic on his name-list any better. It just explains why it exists.
For old times' sake
It would be remiss not to mention that this is a considerable improvement on Dr Mavaza's last outing covering one of our events, at COP26 in Glasgow back in November 2021, when he found time between demonstrations to accuse me of personally hiring the entire crowd and — impressively multitasking — of getting rather better acquainted with the female attendees than any single weekend allows. Neither was true then, and repeating it now would age no better. This week he's confined himself to a head-count. That's progress, Doctor, and I'll take it.
The actual invitation
If Dr Mavaza wants a proper joust — funding, governance, mandate, the lot — ZHRO is happy to oblige, in the open, on the record. Just leave the guest list and the personal theories at home. We will start on those that were there shortly - but thaks for the list - we produce a table of who was, and who wasn't there for you! [Now see below].
We'll bring the drums. In fact, I welcome you to join with ZHRO and to get closer to the real Zimbabwean politic - and not the stolen version.
... and for the record, we walk for freedom, comradery, relaxation, the scenery (very important), fitness - and just for the love of it!
And finally, and very disappointing - now that the regime's acolytes have decided to target these Walk for Freedom articles we have removed the ability to vote - since the Zanu PF were marking hundreds of votes at number 1 - no doubt without actually reading the articles - if they can read of course! Prettiness personified.
Actual List of Walkers and Support
In alphabeticla order of Surnames: Rashiwe Bayisayi, (Drum and Singing) John Burke (Route Planner), Prince Chidewu, Thelma Chidewu, Dickson Chikwizo, Ella Chirunga, Melbar Dick, Nobukhosi Dube (Supplier of Hot Food!), Rosalyne Dzidzwa, Gladys Kajawo, Romeo Kambanga, Lavender Kambanga, Sonia Karumamupiyo, Anna Katsande, Shackleton Machingura, Wallace Mbayua, Francis Mubani (Driver), Patson Muzuwa (Driver, Drum and Singing), Tatenda Nyikayaramba, Bridget Parere, Tsitsidzashe T Parere, Percy Sigauke, Xoliso Sithole, Regina Vengai, Shepherd Yuda (Driver and Singing)
— John Burke
