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
As a Zimbabwean Political and Human Rights activist. I'm a proud member of (ZHRO) Zimbabwe Human Rights Organisation. I have been privileged to participate in series of powerful events across the UK. Most notably - Walk for Freedom in Blackburn on the 5th of April 2025. We had a another recent one, at the Tees Barrage in Stockton on Tees on the 3rd of May 2025.
These walks are a cry for justice, a demand for accountability and a reminder to the World that the people of of Zimbabwe deserves to live in a nation where freedom of speech, press and peaceful political participation are respected. These events are not just public demonstrations, but deeply personal journeys, for those of us who are fighting for a free Zimbabwe. Through these long walks we remember the pain and suffering our people continue to endure back home under a brutal and corrupt regime.
With each step, is a symbol of resistance, hope and of unwavering call for justice and democracy in Zimbabwe. Carrying banners, singing songs for freedom and engaging with the public, allows us to raise awareness and ensure that the plight of Zimbabweans is not forgotten. The message behind our walk is clear - ZIMBABWE DESERVES BETTER!
An intial circuit of the famous Tees Barrage on Saturday 3rd May, followed by a Walk to Elesewhere or Nowhere, as a Walk for Freedom! Josephine Jenge with support from Phylis Melody Magejo and Dickson Chikwizo have found this tour location central to Stockton. SEE FLYER - CLICK HERE AND SEE LARGE MAP - CLICK HERE OR Click on either image below to see larger version
will complete the write up of the 3rd May - after the event - obviously!
And here it is!! A really great day for all the 15 Walkers, their support, which included 2 Cleveland Police constables and the Local Aurhority Event's Team - to be accurate, it was because Josephine informed them of our planned walk - and we had given them sufficient information about our valid and respected purpose.
Charles Kanyimo has initiated a Walk for Freedom practice event on the 6th April 2025 Sunday - less than a day away for those local to SHEFFIELD, South Yorkshire. SEE FLYER - CLICK HERE
Due to other claims on Charles's time he needs to start this short walk at 8:00am but due to its short and circular nature, the Practice Walk can start again at 10:00am for those who cannot arrive so early. We should make sure we can all meet from both 7:30am and/or 9:30am next to the Sheffield's main Railway Station - Ready for the PHOTO LOG we have already created the Flickr Album for the Day
Check back here to see further updates
we will be be using this BANNER for our ongoing activism (this photo was from our
High Force walk in 2023)
Meeting at the Sheffield Main Railway Station
Arriving at Either or BOTH 7:30am AND 9:30am for
prompt 8:00am AND 10:00 am starts. {Do not attempt to arrive by 10 please}
This map from Ordnance Survey shows Central Sheffield
CLICK on the MAP to see a much larger image
Every Step Counts: dateline 7th April 2025 by Charles Kanyimo
Phylis Melody Magejo has initiated a Walk for Freedom practice event on the 5th April 2025 - less than a day away for those local to BLACKBURN, Lancashire. SEE FLYER - CLICK HERE
We should make sure we can all meet from 9:30am next to the main car park at the park - postcode BB2 2TP or Witton Park Car Park, Witton Park Main Entrance, 293 Preston Old Rd, Darwen, Blackburn BB2 2TS for those using Sat Nav and driving. Ready for the PHOTO LOG we have already created the Flickr Album for the Day
Check back here to see further updates
Meeting at the Car Park area at the Entrance to Witton Park, Blackburn
BB2 2TS. Arriving at 9:30am for a prompt 10:00 am start. {Do not attempt to arrive by 10 please}
This map from Ordnance Survey shows Witton Park, Blackburn
PLUS Walking Routes further afield.
CLICK on the MAP to see a much larger image
WhatsApp Conference Minutes:
Walk for Freedom at Wilton Park
Today, 30 March, 2025 at 14:00 hrs four (4) Zimbabwe Human Rights (ZHRO) members including John Burke held a telephonic conversation in preparation for a Walk for Freedom at Wilton Park in Blackburn. The other three present were Phylis Melody Magijo, Theophilas Mkuhlani and myself, Josephine.
The idea was proposed by Melody and John was informed and agreed to the noble idea of resuming the Freedom Walks.
It was suggested that the walk would be best done during the weekend and a date was proposed. All present agreed for Saturday 5 April, 2025. People will meet in the park at 9.30am and the walk is scheduled for 10.00am. The exact meeting point would be advised in due course.
Melody volunteered to design the banner as soon as possible assisted by Josephine. John urged members to extend invitation to the scheduled walk.
John encouraged those attending to bring water and wear sensible shoes with socks and a cap or hat including other essentials. The distance of the walk is approximately 6 kilometers.
More information would be channeled via the group platform.
In early 2016 Rashiwe Bayisayi and myself started to explore walking routes from Brighton to London. It took quite some time and over 100 miles of footpaths, bridleways and byways {all thanks to Ordnance Survey Map APPs}.
It was Rashi's idea to commemorate Zimbabwe's Hero's Day - {Second Monday in August} with something heroic in the UK. And a 100+ km 30 hour Walk seemed to fit that notion. So we set about planning. This was whilst we were a part of Ephraim Tapa's ROHR/Zimbabwe Vigil - which we were funding at that time {another long story!!}.
History and Development
The 2016 Walk proved far too arduous to be completed over the two days - which included an over-night camping experience in Edenbridge, Kent. Since in the morning very few of the exhausted walkers could be roused. Indeed several had to retire with injuries to muscles and giant blisters. {we still feel bad about that to this day}. See the link to some photos of that ROHR Walk - with the ROHR Walk T Shirts {several are still available!! - but the web links on those T Shirts, are now incorrect}. Click for PHOTOS Here - uploaded in 2025 but all originally from 12-13th August 2016}
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
A PERSONAL JOURNEY THROUGH ACTIVISM AND HEALING.
In early 2016 Rashiwe Bayisayi and myself started to explore walking routes from Brighton to London. It took quite some time and over 100 miles of footpaths, bridleways and byways {all thanks to 
