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 5 such walks 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 [these last two during "Lockdown"!]. We are now preparing for 2022 on 13-14th August [Full Moon (again) to aid the night section] and 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
We have to accept, here in the UK, that there is clear and evident political upheavals and discriminatory violence aimed at large sections of populations in nations such as Zimbabwe and now Afghanistan. The asylum status of these nationals cannot be extinguished by the UK Home Office en-masse. Each and every case is unique, and the legal status of each must be allowed the full protection of their legal rights to reside here in safety, and not be returned to their persecutors. Therefore the "Walk for Freedom" this year will be all the more relevant.
We are less than 4 days away and the crisis in #Afghanistan, the political upheaval in Zambia and the continue intransigence in Zimbabwe towards any of those opposing the Zanu PF party continues. [At the time of writing on Tuesday 17th August 2021]. These new issues cast a depression over this "Walk for Freedom" and we invite all those with a 'heart' to consider the plight of others, who are not so fortunate as themselves.
Original Post [15th August 2021]
The weather forecasts (so far) look good - cloudy - but no rain - ideal for a long walk. Keeping cool is part of the strategy - especially one's feet! Plenty of changes of socks and talcum powder.
This year we must welcome Daisy Motlogwa and her husband, Moses, as he was newly released from detention only this week. Daisy will be driving down from Newcastle to Brighton [346 miles distance and expected to take 5 hours and 30 minutes] on the Friday preceding the "Walk for Freedom" [Friday 20th August 2021]. She will be arriving with her 3 children too, and will stay overnight at a local activist's house in adjacent Hove.
Plenty of “local supporters” [Brighton and Hove residents] will be welcome, and some could join us to the Devil’s Dyke Public House - there we stop for photos and a song or two!!
The Walk for Freedom is a peaceful 'protest' walk that is used by ZHRO, to raise awareness to the British public of the plight of Zimbabweans, who are suffering under the brutal rule of the Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front (ZANU PF) Political Party. The Walk For Freedom was the Idea of Rashiwe Bayisayi [in 2016], who has already completes four such walks and this year she will start her fifth!.
Ben Tsikwa, Siplilen Birani, and Temba Ncube became the first male ZHRO members ever, to successfully complete the whole walk from Brighton to London.
“Zimbabweans are still suffering both in Zimbabwe and in the Diaspora. So we’ve got a road to go,” said Rashiwe Bayisayi last year when being interviewed. Parts of the ZHRO Vision 2021 walk will be on Twitter, Our Blogs and on ZHRO Facebook Live with more interviews are planned with those that completed the walk.
Walk for Freedom was the last four year's themes - and agin ZHRO will keep this. Having had so many freedoms denied in Zimbabwe in 2019/20/21, this is particularly relevant, especially with the abduction in Zimbabwe of the three MDC Youth Leaders, Abduction of Journalists and now the attacks upon the provisions in the Zimbabwe Constitution; [Zimbabwe Updates.] See PROMO WALK DRONE VIDEO AS WELL for some "inspiration"!!
Please register on the Walk Facebook Platform your Interests and updates CLICK HERE
Walk Training
Training programme for those interested will be released in late April 2021 - Training will go ahead in spite of any future CV19 "Lockdowns" as we will be out in the open air the risks as such are infinitesimally small!. These will be 15-20km each over the next few months. These will increase to 30 plus km by the first week in August/Last Weeks in July in preparation for the main effort starting on Saturday 21st August 2021. Arrive there around 5:30am in order for a prompt 6:30am start. Pictured just outside Christ's Hospital Railway Station some 40km from the starting point in Brighton.
For practice a small band walked from Hampton Court Rail Station, via Richmond Park 0n 16th March 2019, and finished at the Zimbabwe Embassy on The Strand, London. Certain individuals are conduction their own training programmes local to their homes.
Walk Route
Very much as 2017/18/19/20. Brighton Pier to Devil's Dyke. [see photo at top of Devil's Dyke and Flickr pages ] Dropping down to Henfield and the Downs Link. Then onto Christ's Hospital [Rail station photo above] just a short walk from the rendezvous location on the Downs Link. The long slog to Guildford [railway station meet], finally the night walk along the River Wey Navigation and, this year, into Hampton Court [Rail Station], London. This year the 21-22nd August was chosen due to there being a FULL MOON [and subject to a cloudless night sky] increase visibility during the night section next to the Rivers!
"Walk for Freedom" How it worked out over the weekend
Four Zimbabwean Diasporans, who are members of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Organisation (ZHRO), have successfully completed the ZHRO VISION 2020, "Walk for Freedom" and for #ZimbabweanLivesMatter, which started at day break, on Saturday the 29th of August 2020 at Brighton Pier, U.K. and ended over 29hrs later, at around noon some 100km distant on Sunday, 30th August 2020 at Hampton Court Train Station in London. 4 (four) Zimbabwe Human Rights Organisation (ZHRO) members completed the whole journey on foot - walking throughout the night.
The Walk for Freedom is a peaceful 'protest' walk that is used by ZHRO, to raise awareness to the British public of the plight of Zimbabweans, who are suffering under the brutal rule of the Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front (ZANU PF) Political Party.
The Walk For Freedom was the Idea of Rashiwe Bayisayi, who has this year successfully completed her fourth walk. Ben Tsikwa, Siplilen Birani, and Temba Ncube became the first male ZHRO members ever, to successfully complete the whole walk from Brighton to London.
Rashiwe Bayisayi, Sarah Bayisayi, Chipo Parirenyatwa, John Burke, Ben Tsikwa, Siplilen Birani, Hillary Chikomba, Temba Ncube, Thenjiwe Ncube and Silvanos Mudzvova all took part in the walk, with those previously mentioned above having successfully completed the walk.
ZHRO's Walk for Freedom and with the hashtag #ZimbabweanLivesMatter currently trending we are appealing for Zimbabweans and their friends in the diaspora to support this annual event.
Having had so many freedoms denied in Zimbabwe in 2017-20, this is particularly relevant, especially with the abduction in Zimbabwe of the three MDC Youth Leaders [Zimbabwe Updates.], The arrests of Hopewell, Jacob Ngarivhume and others on "made-up" charges. Then there are the fake 'lockdowns' to both intimidate and imprison. In addition, More arrests occuring now.
Please register on the Walk Facebook Platform your Interests and updates CLICK HERE
Walk Training Has Passed!
In preparation for the main effort starting on Saturday 29th August 2020. Arrive there around 5:30am in order for a prompt 6:30am start. The route takes us to Hampton Court Rail Station.
For practice a small band walked from Devil's Dyke [Near Brighton] to Henfield, 11th August 2020, A short stretch of the actual route. However in walking back to their home this took over 30km and 9 hours in the baking heat of the South Coast!
Walk Route
Very much as 2017/18/19. Brighton Pier to Devil's Dyke. [see photo at top of Devil's Dyke and Flickr pages ] Dropping down to Henfield and the Downs Link. Then onto Christ's Hospital [Rail station] just a short walk from the rendezvous location on the Downs Link. The long slog to Guildford [railway station meet], fianlly the night walk along the River Wey Navigation and, this year, into Hampton Court [Rail Station], London.
Walk for Freedom was the last three year's themes - and agin ZHRO will keep this. Having had so many freedoms denied in Zimbabwe in 2019/20, this is particularly relevant, especially with the abduction in Zimbabwe of the three MDC Youth Leaders [Zimbabwe Updates.] See PROMO WALK DRONE VIDEO AS WELL
Please register on the Walk Facebook Platform your Interests and updates CLICK HERE
Walk Training
Training programme for those interested was released in March - [Now deferred until later in May due to CV19 Lockdown/Social distancing advice]. These will be 15-20km each over the next few months. These will increase to 30 plus km by the first week in August/Last Weeks in July in preparation for the main effort starting on Saturday 29th August 2020. Arrive there around 5:30am in order for a prompt 6:30am start. Pictured just outside Guildford - having left from the main Railway Station, the new route takes us to Hampton Court Rail Station.
For practice a small band walked from Hampton Court Rail Station, via Richmond Park 0n 16th March 2019, and finished at the Zimbabwe Embassy on The Strand, London.
Walk Route
Very much as 2017/18/19. Brighton Pier to Devil's Dyke. [see photo at top of Devil's Dyke and Flickr pages ] Dropping down to Henfield and the Downs Link. Then onto Christ's Hospital [Rail station] just a short walk from the rendezvous location on the Downs Link. The long slog to Guildford [railway station meet], fianlly the night walk along the River Wey Navigation and, this year, into Hampton Court [Rail Station], London.
Walk for Freedom was the last four year's themes - and agin ZHRO will keep this. Having had so many freedoms denied in Zimbabwe in 2019/20/21, this is particularly relevant, especially with the abduction in Zimbabwe of the three MDC Youth Leaders, Abduction of Journalists and now the attacks upon the provisions in the Zimbabwe Constitution; [
ZHRO's Walk for Freedom and with the hashtag #ZimbabweanLivesMatter currently trending we are appealing for Zimbabweans and their friends in the diaspora to support this annual event.
Walk for Freedom was the last three year's themes - and agin ZHRO will keep this. Having had so many freedoms denied in Zimbabwe in 2019/20, this is particularly relevant, especially with the abduction in Zimbabwe of the three MDC Youth Leaders [
