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
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
I want to take this opportunity to thank all the incumbents that took part in the Walk for Freedom event. All participants gathered at the Brighton Pier early morning of Saturday 9th August 2025.
The writing is on the wall.
Zimbabwe is gearing for a regime change.
The walk went on in the night into Sunday as the quest to reach Hampton Court in London was in every participant’s mind.
Devil’s Dyke was our first resting and refuelling stop. At this breath-taking view point we could see far to the North - a patchwork of fields and a great deal of trees and woodlands - very green indeed. Here, we had photos taken, the gropu of 17-18 of us was clearly excited to be here, it was a challenge and 12 km (7.5miles) from the start. The group dynamics were there to see - there we sang, Rashiwe on the Drum, we had shakers to shake - there was harmony and harmoneis (in the singing - see our videos to check this out - Click Here). There was dancing too - even though most were already tired - but the spirit of our group was the perfect remady.
The determination and agility to fight for freedom amongst the people was unwavering. Zanu pf must go. We are now preparing for our decade of enthusiasm to make sure human rights and the democratic ambitions are restored in Zimbabwe. The rule of law in Zimbabwe is too one sided.
The next stop was on the villiage green at Christ's Hospital, where we sat on the grass and ate the food amply provided with Sarah delivering by car, and Talia 'serving' us all individually - including washing our hands - we were undasatandably tired out as a Walk for Freedom group. This stop is 40km (25 miles) from our start at Brighton Peir. But again like at Devil's Dyke - there was jolity and hope. There was also reality too. Many had walked made a huge jump in the distances they had practiced. In addition, the next phase would be overnight.
The overnight section saw 5 of us set off into the dusk along the second stage of the Downs Link path. We marched now at pace. A pace too fast for John, who got to Bramley and Wonersh Railway Station (only 5 km from Guildford Station) were he took over the duty of driving - and Sarah then joined with Rashiwe to head to Guildford Railway Station - our next rendezvous.
Our small group set off from Guildford Station, but before Sarah and Rashiwe had arrived - but at a slower pace now. By Pyrford Lock we were all together and met up with John (now a driver) at the Pub Car Park after dawn. We even took some photos.
Next was Walton-on-Thames for more waters and a bite to eat. Here we discovered that Josephine, Phylis and Dickson had set off (at a very slow pace - they were 'deposited' there by John after he left us at Pyrford lock in the car) to head for Hampton Court itself - a sort of a "race" now for us to catch up with them!
After a total of 34 hours walking we arrived via the Thames Footpath to the outskirts of Hampton Court - turning the last corner we saw John, waving as he had gone on ahead to meet us, Sarah and Rashiwe did the 'honours' of arriving first to the Station. We rested inside the station in the now welcome shade from the sun. Dickson, Henry and Kelvin got onto the trains to head for home. The remaining Walkers we ferryied back home in the car driven by John.
I call upon all Zimbabweans from all walks of life to hold the same event same time next year to mark a decade of Walk for Freedom.
This will put more pressure to the ruling government (or criminal administration to be more accurate!) to recognise that a change is now needed. We will fight for the good of every citizen of Zimbabwe, to emancipate all the people from the grip of lunacy orchestrated by a thuggery regime that is full of “hukoronyera, husvetasimba, hunyasire, humarapatsetse”.
All this has neared enough and Zanu Pf is now trodding on very thin soil.
Lastly I want to thank the members of the driver logistics team with their strength and support, Young man Victor, aunty Sarah and aunty Chipo you are all the best and once again thank you.
Also a big thank you to our 'camera crew' John Burke, Alwyn Mbano and many othersfor doing a great job. Thank you…
On a sweltering day beneath the English sun, we took our first steps from Brighton Pier - more than just a seaside landmark it became the symbolic starting point of a deepening personal and collective mission, a walk for freedom, justice and a better future for Zimbabwe.
This was not just a physical journey It was a testament our commitment to a Zimbabwean free from corruption, injustice and oppression.
Zimbabwe our beloved homeland is burdened by systematic corruption, human rights abuses, economic collapse, electoral fraud and repeated constitutional violations. For many back home these aren't just headlines - they are dialy realities. Families suffer, voices are silenced and futures are stolen. We walked to shine a light on these injustices and to remind the world - and ourselves - that we will not be silent.
The journey from Brighton to Hampton Court was no easy feat. The heat bore down on us. Legs grew heavy, feet blistered and exhaustion threatened to overcome us. There were moments when quitting felt like a tempting option - but we pressed on. We grouped ourselves not just for company but for strength. When one of us faltered others offered encouragement. When someone's pace slowed another stayed back to walk with them. In the struggle we rediscovered the power of unity - a glimpse of Zimbabwe we're fighting for.
As we walked through the English countryside and passed stretches of farm lands and cattle, many of us were reminded of Zimbabwe's once - thriving agricultural sector, now a shadow of its former self. Once the breadbasket of Africa these farms now lie underused, neglected or forcibly seized. The contrast between what was and what could be felt both painful and motivating.
This walk was never about comfort - it was about conviction. It was about saying;
"We see what is happening and we wont turn away".
We walked for those who cannot. For the brave voices silenced in prison cells, for the children robbed of education, for the citizens whose votes are disregarded and for the millions who still dare to hope. Our steps may not have changed everything overnight - but they added to a growing call for change. And more importantly, they reminded us of our collective power.
We walked for Zimbabwe AND we will keep walking until freedom is not just a hope, but a reality!
On a bright, slightly overcast Saturday morning at 5:30am, just after dawn, activists gathered at Brighton Pier, ready to begin their challenging 100km journey to raise awareness and solidarity for Zimbabwe. Setting off just after 6:00am along Brighton's promenade towards Grand Avenue. Once there we began the long gentle slope up and out of Brighton.
We stopped in a small park for a few photos at around 8:00am, before moving past the Football-Golf facility, that our 'Walk for Freedom' route skirts, towards the footbridge crossing of the A27 Dual carriageway. With walkers coming from all over the UK, the atmosphere was filled with determination and hope, as the warming summer sun begun to shine down on our faces as we crossed the A27 and up a steep incline to the start of the long, long footpath up to Devil's Dyke. [Benfield Hill Local Nature Reserve in fact! see photo at this link taken at 8:30am]
We got to the Devil's Dyke area around 9:45am and as you can realise well over three hours to get up here - remember we started at sea level and now we are at 217 metres (712 ft) high - the view over the open Weald is breath-taking - so much space - all those trees and fields - such an uplifting experience. .....And we danced, and we sang and we played the drum too - the other tourist up there were asking questions, what was it about? Many were taking photos and videos - already our activism is making an impact. [See one of our video of our shenanigans at this link CLICK]
It was all exhausting - but the dance gave us renewed strength! Now came the surprisingly difficult descent from atop of Devil's Dyke down to the village of Fulking. So steep in places that John had advised us to walk sideways to avoid falling. Once down on the level again - we set off towards Henfield to the Locomotive Public House - where we would start on this part of the Downs Link - which would take us to Christ's Hospital Railway Station and Beyond that on the next leg of this Walk for Freedom to Guildford (in the early hours of Sunday 10th August as it transpired) - aided in our night manoeuvres with head torches and a full moon.
Taking the Downs Link route towards London, the walk was far from easy; it demanded speed and stamina, especially as we aimed to reach 'Christ's Hospital' Railway Station before nightfall.
Fellow Zimbabweans — in the UK, in the diaspora, and back home — Today, we walk not just with our feet, but with our hearts. We walk for freedom. We walk for justice. We walk because ZANU PF must go!
The pain and betrayal of the people:
For over four decades, we have been ruled by a system that has turned against its own people. ZANU PF, a party that once promised liberation, has become the very machinery of our suffering. Our mothers go to sleep hungry. Our youth have no jobs, no future. Our hospitals are collapsing, our teachers are unpaid, our elders are disrespected.
We are not here because we hate our country. We are here because we love it too much to keep silent.
From Brighton Pier to Hampton Court, London, dubbed the Walk for Freedom — 105km of relentless walking. Two days of pain, fatigue, and pushing past our limits. It wasn’t easy. Every step was a battle against tired legs, sore feet, and exhaustion. But for my country, it was worth every moment of hardship. The two-day journey shone a light on the regime’s long-standing record of political oppression, election rigging, corruption, enforced disappearances, and economic mismanagement — all of which continue to suffocate millions of Zimbabweans at home and in exile.
Why 105KM?
The distance symbolises the endurance and resilience of Zimbabweans across decades of suffering. It represents the long, painful road the nation has travelled — and the hope that still remains for freedom, justice, and democratic change. We walked because Zimbabwe is suffering under the weight of human rights abuses caused by the ZANU-PF regime. We walked for the silenced, the oppressed, and those who cannot walk for themselves. We walked to say: enough is enough.
“We walked for those who cannot walk— for every Zimbabwean whose voice has been silenced, for every activist who’s been jailed, for every citizen living in fear.”
“This isn’t just a walk. It’s a cry for justice. It’s a call to the world to stop ignoring Zimbabwe’s pain.”- Kelvin T Mhlanga
I want to take this opportunity to thank all the incumbents that took part in the Walk for Freedom event. All participants gathered at the Brighton Pier early morning of Saturday 9th August 2025.
On a sweltering day beneath the English sun, we took our first steps from Brighton Pier - more than just a seaside landmark it became the symbolic starting point of a deepening personal and collective mission, a walk for freedom, justice and a better future for Zimbabwe.
On a bright, slightly overcast Saturday morning at 5:30am, just after dawn, activists gathered at Brighton Pier, ready to begin their challenging 100km journey to raise awareness and solidarity for Zimbabwe. Setting off just after 6:00am along Brighton's promenade towards Grand Avenue. Once there we began the long gentle slope up and out of Brighton.
Freedom Walk Speech: “ZANU PF Must Go
WALK FOR FREEDOM – 105KM FOR ZIMBABWE
