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Written by: Chief Felix Ndiweni

Published: 04 December 2023

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I am Chief Felix Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni of Ntabazinduna.
I was born and raised in Ntabazinduna Zimbabwe where I then completed my primary and secondary education. I came to the United Kingdom in 1981 to complete my further education at Polytechnic and University. I then worked in Local government in the East of London for many years. During this period I was always returning to Zimbabwe and also travelling extensively to some 62 countries.

My father was Chief Khayisa Ndiweni who was a signatory to the Lancaster House Agreement for Rhodesia / Zimbabwe. He was a Paramount Chief for 71 years. On his passing away in August 2010 through the Ndiweni Clan I ascended the Ndiweni Chieftaincy.

I have been assaulted, harassed and victimised many times by the Zanu PF government. I have also been detained and jailed by the Zanu PF government. Because for standing for the principles, of Rule of Law and democracy. Having sustained injury in detention I am now in the United Kingdom where I have and continue to receive treatment

REFERENDUM

FOR THE VOTE
and
THE DIASPORA VOTE

Fighting for the Right To Vote
“DEEDS AND NOT WORDS “
(The slogan for women fighting for The Vote as Suffragettes in 1903)
{There is no country in the world that can indefinitely deny its citizens their Human Right to Vote}

This year 2023 there are 108 political elections world-wide. Should we give or not give, these 108 elections legitimacy, purely on the basis that the word “election “has been used to describe them?

There is now need for a broader and stronger definition of what is an “election“. An international standard for an election.

Regarding the definition of what constitutes an election, we already have Election Observers, who write reports about the election they have observed. However, the Election Observers do not carry the necessary authority to make nation states comply with the international standard for elections.

Read more: Diaspora Vote

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Written by: John Burke

Published: 24 May 2023

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From our petition to 10 Downing Street regarding corruption and #GoldMafia on the 18th April, and the following day's demonstration regarding Job Sikhala on the 19th April, the FCDO has written an encouraging response. Although certainly a political reply, it contains several tacit acknowledgements regarding the errant faux-government in Zimbabwe.

Rt Hon Andrew Mitchel, MP and Minister for Development & Africa, has personally signed a response, although carefully couched in terms 'not to offend' it does indicate certain issues that are acknowledged. A copy is available here to view or download [Click Here]. Sent from the desk of the Minister for Africa is appropriate for the issues that were raised over the 18th and 19th of April 2023.

This reply {From Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell MP} was sent to CCC, ZHRO and ROHR who were all represented on the day of the Petition {18th April - Zimbabwe's {ironic} Independence Day anniversary - 43 years ago} and he following day at Parliament Square with Lord Oates, Baroness Hoey and other supporters of justice in Zimbabwe. Lord Oates had also raised these issues {#GoldMafia and Job Sikhala} in the House of Lords, with written questions, verbal questions to the Government Benches.

Read more: Minister for Africa Reply to Petition

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Written by: BHM UK & ZEM plus end comment ZHRO

Published: 22 May 2023

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Africans in UK struggling to make ends meet

Africans in the UK are struggling to keep up with rent, food and electricity bills and this has resulted in most incurring debt and also seeking assistance from families back home. Despite contributing to the country’s economy, the majority do not qualify to receive financial assistance from the government as they don’t meet eligibility criteria such as income level, residency status and immigration status.

Even with the hardships, Africans are continuing to flock to the UK, and 2022 saw a huge increase in those seeking temporary work. Study migration post-pandemic has also contributed to the surge.

Enitan Kehinde, lead consultant and general manager at BHM UK {Black House Media UK https://bhmng.uk/col-report/ }, an African communications services company which sheds light on the financial struggles faced by the African immigrant community in the UK, said these individuals were also facing lack of job security and mounting debt. [Review full report or Download - CLICK HERE]

“Some have turned to family for financial support in recent times, while others admit to borrowing to pay for everyday needs. As the crisis bites deeper, several say they have had to cut down on essentials to survive.”

Kehinde added that petrol had become a luxury, with many unable to afford to fill up their cars.

“Some plan to reduce the use of power while others have had to miss meals so they could pay bills,” she said.

Lead researcher Robert Ekat said the grim situation has necessitated an urgent need for attention, which has informed BHM UK’s research. He said cultural or language barriers also made it difficult for African immigrants who could qualify to access and navigate the UK’s social welfare system.

Read more: Africans in UK Struggling

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Written by: John Burke

Published: 18 April 2023

Hits: 306

6:30am London; Several hardy and brave Zimbabweans from Glasgow, Manchester and Newcastle arrive at Victoria Bus Station - most getting onboard at 23:50 on the 17th April - traveling overnight! 6-7 hours travel.

10:30am A good number of Zimbabweans, including some of the early birds above, congregate outside the UAE Embassy located in the prestigious address in 1-2 Grosvenor Crescent, London, SW1X 7EE - very plush, close to Harrods and Belgrave Square. This reflects the prestige of the UAE {Dubai} and its wealth - let's not forget that Dubai's success is recent in historical terms. The Persian Gulf War of 1990, in which Dubai as part of the UAE provided military aid to the coalition, unsettled the economy; however, in the mid-1990s this stabilised and many foreign trading communities moved their businesses to Dubai. Now Dubai is synonymous with wealth now. But has no more resouces than Zimbabwe.

Their approach to wealth and luxury has been ruthlessly exploited by the regime, the #GoldMafia has been drawn like moths to a flame, to Dubai.

By 12:00 noon the masses of Zimbabweans were camped out at the Zimbabwe Embassy at 429 The Strand, London. We passed around a register of those present, 66 people completed their details. but I know personally of 5-6 who did not get round to adding their names. Others, too have mentioned various missing personalities. Only time will tell. 

13:30: As a group a procession formed and we perambulated the short distace to the South African High Commission on Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DP. Our group sang and chanted on the street outside. Chief Ndiweni and a few others ventured inside. They were met with a sympathetic ear - as the Petition was e-mailed to the SA Hign Commission in the morning of the 18th. One of the Counsellor's at the High Commission had received the petition with thatnks and the message, and circulated to His Excellency Jeremiah Nyamane MamaboloHigh Commissioner to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and other key staff.

Dear Chief Ndiweni

This serves to inform that the South African High Commission acknowledges receipt of the documentation handed over on 18 April 2023.

Your kind understanding is appreciated.

Our appreciation and the sympathetic responce at the High Commission was well recieved by all who had met there. We then continued along the edge of Trafalgar Square and onto Whitehall towards the entrance to Downing Street itself.

14:00: Much discussions and conversations centred upon the 43rd anniversary of the {not} Independence Day, and the task ahead to gain International recognition and condemnations as to the #GoldMafia exposition. This view was ably argued within 9 pages of the Petition itself. {Click Here to View or Download} The main body of the demonstrators now established an 'encampment' next to the statue of Lord Montgomery and proceeded with song, music and speeches.

At the same time the group of 6 petitioners were ID checked into the Downing Street security perimeter by the Metropolitain Diplomatic Unit - in their normal and friendly manner! This in itself is in stark contrast to the lowly and politically motivated 'police' in Zimbabwe. Inside the security net the 6 petitioner were entertained with a history lesson regarding the 800 year old architiectural heritage within the sight of 10 Downing Street itself.

The Petitioners then had time on their own to take photos and discuss their objectives. At the same time no overt police 'supervision' was percieved by those present. After a while the group knocked on that door - 10 Downing Street and handed over the petion to the staff member inside - indeed he was happy to be photographed with the petitioners as can be seen in the Flickr Album of the 18th April 2023 {Click Here} - Of note, and as at 6:30 am on today {19th April 2023} the Twitter Post of this handover has been viewed 20,900 times and still climbing. {see Tweet here}.

During the coming days we will upload personal accounts, opinions, thought and reactions from both those present and those affected by the lack of Independenc ein Zimbabwe.

Other external Views regarding the 43rd Anniversary.

Amnesty International Contrasts this 43rd Anniversary with the propaganda as spouted by the regime, under the international spotlight, of their "own-goal" of #GoldMafia

“Forty-three years after independence, authorities are yet to guarantee in practice the rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly which are increasingly being threatened despite being guaranteed under the constitution and international law,” said Flavia Mwangovya, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for East and Southern Africa.

“The right to freedom of peaceful assembly has continuously been violated and undermined with the authorities refusing to give clearance for some of the main opposition party’s rallies, arresting and convicting peaceful protesters and using unnecessary and excessive force to stop protests.

“As Zimbabwe approaches elections later this year, freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly have come under increasing attack. Dissenting voices are being criminalised, with some opposition activists put in lengthy pre-trial detentions.” said Flavia Mwangovya.   

Zimbabwe Economic Movement commentator Divine Mafa opines:

Another factor that contributes to support for dictators in Africa is the lack of strong democratic institutions. In many African countries, there are weak or non-existent institutions that are meant to provide a check on the power of the government. This includes a free press, independent judiciary, and effective opposition parties.

Without these institutions, there is little to prevent a dictator from consolidating power and suppressing dissent. Furthermore, some dictators have been able to use ethnic or tribal divisions to their advantage. By playing one group against another, they can weaken any opposition and maintain their hold on power. In some cases, dictators have even used violence against specific ethnic groups to intimidate others and consolidate their power.

One example of a dictator who used ethnic divisions to maintain power is Zimbabwe's former president, Robert Mugabe. Mugabe came to power in 1980 after leading the country to independence from British colonial rule. He was initially seen as a hero, but over time his regime became increasingly authoritarian and corrupt. One of Mugabe's key tactics was to play the Shona, his own ethnic group, against the Ndebele, a minority group in the country. In 1983, he launched a brutal campaign against the Ndebele that came to be known as the Gukurahundi.

Thousands of Ndebele were killed, and the campaign was used to intimidate and silence opposition groups. The legacy of the Gukurahundi still looms large in Zimbabwean politics, and many Zimbabweans continue to be divided along ethnic lines. Mugabe also used violence and intimidation to suppress opposition to his rule. He used state security forces to harass, arrest, and torture opposition leaders and activists. He also cracked down on the press, closing independent newspapers and harassing journalists who criticized his regime.

Despite these abuses, Mugabe continued to enjoy support from many Zimbabweans, particularly in rural areas where his policies had delivered some benefits, such as land reform. Many Zimbabweans saw Mugabe as a hero of the liberation struggle, and were willing to overlook his flaws in the belief that he was working to improve their lives. However, by the time Mugabe was forced to resign in 2017, Zimbabwe was in a dire state. The economy was in shambles, with hyperinflation and a shortage of basic goods.

Corruption was rampant, and the country had become an international pariah. Mugabe's legacy was one of repression, economic mismanagement, and political corruption. Since Mugabe's resignation, Zimbabwe has seen some political reforms, including the election of a new president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, in 2018. Mnangagwa has promised to bring about an era of political and economic reform, but progress has been slow. Zimbabwe still faces significant challenges, including widespread poverty, corruption, and political violence.

In conclusion, the support for dictators in Africa is a complex issue that is rooted in a variety of factors, including fear, poverty, lack of education, cultural factors, history, and the lack of strong democratic institutions. To build more democratic societies, African countries need to invest in education and civic engagement, build strong institutions that can provide a check on the power of the government, and work to heal ethnic and tribal divisions. Only through these efforts can Africa move beyond the legacy of dictatorship and build more prosperous and just societies for all its citizens. Divine Mafa:

Is ED A DICTATOR? The question of whether Emmerson Mnangagwa is a dictator or not is a subject of debate. Mnangagwa rose to power in Zimbabwe in 2017 after the ousting of long-time leader Robert Mugabe. Since then, his government has been accused of human rights abuses, including crackdowns on opposition parties and civil society groups, as well as media censorship.