Zimbabwe Vigil Diary 22nd June 2024
Our virtual Vigil activists today were: Milton Bingwa, Shepherd Gandanga, Simbarashe Jingo and Charles Kanyimo who kindly contributed to Vigil funds. They carried placards showing their concern at the human rights abuses and lack of democracy in Zimbabwe.
However some activists didn’t realise the Vigil was not meeting at the Zimbabwe Embassy today. They contacted Vigil Co-ordinator Ephraim Tapa who was fortunately in the vicinity and he joined their impromptu protest.
Milton Bingwa (Scotland) and Charles Kanyimo (Leeds) were there. Despite being mistaken about a Vigil meeting at the Embassy, they were determined to have their voices heard. They hastily created their own posters with protest messages directed at the regime and stood outside the Embassy, demonstrating.
A little while after their departure, Eva Mbanje, Margaret Manyande, Benson Mbanje, Chester Manyande, Chantelle Manyande, Dumisani Manyande (all from Surrey) and Sifanele Sibanda (Manchester) arrived. They also demanded to make their day count by continuing the impromptu demonstration. Again posters were hastily organised with messages expressing their distaste of the state of affairs in Zimbabwe . . . rampant corruption facilitated by the military dictatorship.They all committed to the struggle for human rights and democracy . . . what one described as ‘standing in the gap for those without a voice’.
For photos, see:
For Vigil pictures check: Please note: Vigil photos can only be downloaded from our Flickr website.
Events and Notices:
Next Vigil meeting outside the Zimbabwe Embassy. Saturday 6th July from 2 – 5 pm. We meet on the first and third Saturdays of every month. On other Saturdays the virtual Vigil will run.
ROHR Barbecue and Beach Party. Saturday 13th July.
2024 ROHR sponsored 15 mile walk. Saturday 3rd August. More information as plans develop.
The Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHR) is the Vigil’s partner organisation based in Zimbabwe. ROHR grew out of the need for the Vigil to have an organisation on the ground in Zimbabwe which reflected the Vigil’s mission statement in a practical way. ROHR in the UK actively fundraises through membership subscriptions, events, sales etc to support the activities of ROHR in Zimbabwe.
The Vigil’s book ‘Zimbabwe Emergency’ is based on our weekly diaries. It records how events in Zimbabwe have unfolded as seen by the diaspora in the UK. It chronicles the economic disintegration, violence, growing oppression and political manoeuvring – and the tragic human cost involved. It is available at the Vigil. All proceeds go to the Vigil and our sister organisation the Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe’s work in Zimbabwe. The book is also available from Amazon.
Facebook pages:
Vigil : https ://www.facebook.com/zimbabwevigil
ROHR:
ZAF:
The Vigil, outside the Zimbabwe Embassy, 429 Strand, London meets regularly on Saturdays from 14.00 to 17.00 to protest against gross violations of human rights in Zimbabwe. The Vigil which started in October 2002 will continue until internationally-monitored, free and fair elections are held in Zimbabwe.
Post published in: Featured
