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, 2021 and 2022 [these last three during "Lockdown"!]. We are now preparing for 2025 on 9-10th 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
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.
The ZHRO walk for freedom started on Saturday 21st September 2019 at 6:30am at Brighton Pier. The end point was Hampton Court Train Station at 8:55am on Sunday 22nd September 2019. The first leg was started by Rashiwe Bayisayi and John Burke. They walked out of Brighton and up to the South Downs at Devil's Dyke [Photo: at the top] and then, all the way to Christ's Hospital Rail Station, where they took a break after the difficult 37 km stretch but, John Burke announced that he was pulling out with foot trouble.
The next leg was from Christ's Hospital Railway Station to Guildford Railway Station. This was done by, Rashiwe and Sarah Bayisayi, who stood-in for the retiring John Burke. This was the point at which, the walkers were met by, ZHRO Chairwoman, Chipochedenga Parirenyatwa. She was at Christ's Hospital Railway Station meeting point to help the walkers by being part of the support unit - with food, drink, massage and pep talk!
Walk for Freedom was last two year's themes - and agin ZHRO will keep this. Having had so many freedoms denied in Zimbabwe in 2019, this is particularly relevant.
Walk Training
Training programme for those interested was released in March. These will be 15-20km each over the next few months. These will increase to 30 plus km by the first week in August in preparation for the main effort starting on Saturday 10th August 2018. Arrive there around 6:00am in order for a prompt 7:00am 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, and finished at the Zimbabwe Embassy on The Strand, London.
Walk Route
Very much as 2018. Brighton Pier to Devil's Dyke. 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.
UK Zimbabweans walked 105km from Brighton Pier to Kempton Park, London, to raise money for charity. The protest Walk – – was organised by Zimbabwe Human Rights Organisation (ZHRO) to raise awareness of the human rights crisis in Zimbabwe.
After months of preparations, themere 7 Zimbabwean's who took up this physical challenge met up at Brighton Pier at 06:00am on Friday (10th of August 2018).
It started to rain heavily after an hour into the walk as the protest Walkers pounded the streets of Brighton. Not deterred, the determined protesters continued, with conviction, in their long "Walk for Freedom".
This extreme challenge required dedication, commitment, and desire to highlight the Human Rights situation back home. ZHRO has been instrumental in providing a platform for Zimbabwean Activists to challenge the Zimbabwean authorities on Human Rghts abuses and for a right to vote.
Completing the walk in a record 25 hours were Rashiwe Bayisayi - a feat she did last year too! .
Over the 10th and 11th August 2018, as Zimbabwe was waiting for JUSTICE from another rigged Election, a small but dedicated group of walkers set off at 7:15 am from Brighton Pier, for the second year in succession.
Ahead of them was the hill surrounding Brighton and into the next day an ordeal to walk to Kempton Park Racecourse some 65 miles away. Up until late afternoon rainfall was a big problem with several heavy and thundery showers soaking the band of Walkers. However the cooling effects of the rain were keeping feet from overheating on such a long march - a "Walk for Freedom"
The star, again, of the walk was Rashiwe Bayisayi - who completed the full 105km or 65 miles.
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