Details

Written by: John Burke

Published: 28 March 2023

Last Updated: 13 May 2023

Hits: 4166

UPDATE: 13th May 2023

Well it's that time of the year again, when Zimbabwens, and their faithful supporters, need to dust off their walking boots and get outside to stretch their legs in anticipation of the "Walk for Freedom"! Practice is extremly important if this year's potential participants are attempting to try the full-monty! 

This year our provisional dates are as the flyer namely, 12-13th August 2023 - [OR POSSIBLY THE 5-6th AUGUST as it's another FULL MOON] - simply ideal for the night section by the Rivers before and after Guildford.

but please, do not let the provisional date stop you from readying yourself with some PRACTICE!! However, as indicated in previous years, the "Walk for Freedom" is in 'bite-sized' chunks. See later for all the chunks, their description and maps.

20th May the High Force Walk Link HERE

Same route as all the previous years {since 2017, with some minor revisions} - We did infact organise a Walk in 2016 under the guise of ROHR, with Rashiwe and myself both path-finding and participating! Although, we all "checked-out" at the camp site we had organised at Edenbridge around 11:30pm - but that's another story!

Read more: August 2023 Walk 4 Freedom

Details

Written by: John Burke ZHRO

Published: 15 August 2022

Last Updated: 19 August 2022

Hits: 5634

This year's "reflections" dwell on the voting 'fiasco' in Zimbabwe and the failure of ZEC and Zanu PF to implement any of the recommendations offered by many Election Observers. 2023, what will happen this time - will the 'de facto' opposition party - the re-branded CCC, win again, with a simple majority, or will ZEC, again take weeks to "fiddle" [allegedly] the voting returns and numbers - backed up by a corrupt and "number blind" Judiciary?

As ZHRO, we have with the MyRight2Vote campaign and ROHR petitioned SADC, AU, FCDO and the BBC [on 20th July 2022 - see link to this HERE]. As a direct result we have an invitation to the FCDO [Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office] on the 18th August at 14:00 - a discreet and confidential meeting to discuss from a purely Human Rights perspective - The Right to a Free and Fair Election - as defined in Article 21 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948.

Wish us luck and further lobbying within the FCDO for the right to a free, fair and genuine election in Zimbabwe in 2023.

Our Flickr page of the 13-14th August is now available Click HERE there are more photos being added over this week.

Let's start our "reflections" with the comment from Rashiwe Bayisayi from last years as it's still highly relevant today.

"Walk for Freedom" started in 2016 as a symbol of solidarity with Zimbabweans 'back-home', and those within the diaspora. The 'Walk' symbolises the struggles we face at home and in 'Foreign Lands. Walking in the sun, rain, cold, day and night to give "awareness" to the British Public, and the World at large of what is happening in our Home Country. I call upon my fellow Country men and women to come and join the 'struggle' because united we stand and our 'plea' may reach all corners of the World. I trust that one day Freedom will come our way. I believe in our lifetime Human Rights will be respected, Freedom of speech will be recognised without fear of persecution. 

• We are not going to stop until Zimbabwe is FREE. Let's "Walk for Freedom".
• #Walk for Freedom
• #Take2Zimbabwe
• Aluta Continua

by Rashiwe Bayisayi - Principal Walk Pathfinder, 2016 completion to Embassy, plus ZHRO 6 time completion medal winner. 

It Was Too Hot!

What can we say - a high pressure over the Atlantic has caused hot air from the Sahara to be re-directed over the UK - especially the South Coast!

Joking aside, the plan {we did some considerable planning - see previous articles on this Walk Section} was to start early at 7:00am so that we would get to the Downs Link section {and the shade of the trees along that route} by 12:20 pm, as the temperatures were climbing. BUT - the best laid plans...of mice and men...{Robert Burns} So it is with some embarrassment that things went wrong immediately! We had some worries.

Read more: 2022 Reflections - Walk for Freedom

Details

Written by: John Burke ZHRO

Published: 01 August 2022

Last Updated: 02 August 2022

Hits: 2054

In this update, made on the sombre anniversary of 1st August 2018 when Zimbabwe's Soldiers opened fire indiscriminately on unarmed civilians - who were quite correctly protesting about the rigging of the 2018 election, we must remind all Zimbabweans, the AU [African Union], SADC [Southern African Development Community] and the rest of the World, that there are currently NO Free and Fair Elections - nor has there been in practice since the 1980 [False] Independence. We will also repeat this item on our  website that highlights the fact that there is a Military Cabal controlling Zimbabwe, the Zanu PF party. https://take2zimbabwe.com

So our WALK FOR FREEDOM is as relevant as ever on this 7th time we have planned this event [the first time was in August 2016 just prior to the formation of ZHRO in October 2016]. Our 'practice walks' this month in London and North Yorkshire, have tied-in with other events to do with campaigning for Free, Fair and Open Elections - as highlighted below:

"Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives. . . . The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures."
Article 21, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948

As in previous year's we will attempt to predict our walking timetable for those who may wish to cheer us on, or join us for part of this well trodden route of ours. So we will publish maps, timetables, and for those with a 'tech savvy' outlook - live navigation links to the UK's Ordnance Survey Mapping software. The same as the organiser's on the day. {Due shortly}

This year we are actively seeking supporting donations so that we can [as we have done in every year previously] have a support team(s) to ferry the walkers, food, bandages, blister plasters etc., In addition as necessary, finally collect the "walking wounded" (!) - joking - but some of us have very delicate feet - and the stony footpaths can take their toll on those without practice, multiple pairs of socks {for keeping the feet cool}, good footwear, ankle support, blisters and cramps! Plus a bit of sympathy at times too!

So our donation PayPal button on this page would welcome your spontaneous generosity. Or this QR code using your phone.

Now those wishing to be at the start, we must emphasise that the walkers will hope to leave the Brighton Pier forecourt at 7:00am sharp. This is to facilitate the 8 miles to stand and take in the stunning beauty atop the "Devil's Dyke" hill within the South Downs.

As the organisation is very 'minimal' we cannot accommodate people leaving at different times - as each group would need navigational support - since so few have taken onboard the mapping software in the past. So for practical reasons, we start at one time, in a group, ideally keeping together. This will facilitate the taking of photos, Twitter, Facebook, ZHRO Live, Zim Eye Live and other media we will employ throughout the full 25-30 hours of the "Walk for Freedom"

This link is the most important, its the original detailed full route as plotted on the OS Online platform from Ordnance Survey UK. It is scaleable, in that it can be enlarged right down to individual footpath levels. If you have the OS App then you can navigate "live" in the field using your phone as a direction finder. 100km Route CLICK HERE

Timetable {Approximate}

This timetable is AN APPROXIMATION for arriving and leaving times at the locations identified with Sat Nav Post Codes

Route Maps here - Along the full Walk for Freedom

Ready for further Updates Here  

Details

Written by: John Burke

Published: 27 July 2022

Last Updated: 28 July 2022

Hits: 2197

10.5 mile (17km) circuit from Barden Bridge on the Bolton Abbey Estate via the 485m (above sea level) “Simon’s Seat” and to view Bolton Abbey itself. Then back to our starting point

A very good day 10:30 am at Barden Bridge (BD23 6AS ) and finishing around 17:30 pm. 7 hours walking, climbing and scrambling over heath, hill and dale!

So looking forward to the 13-14th August 2022 "Walk for Freedom" Brighton Pier to Hampton Court Application form to register CLICK HERE Please print and Complete and e-mail to us. Also our Facebook Event Page to register Interest FB Click Here

Selection of images from the day: FULL PHOTO LOG - CLICK HERE

Mervis and John on top of Simon's Seat - with Flag	Mervis and Moses - with flag
The walk up - now past the tree line	the signpost shows the route to Simon's Seat
Mervis and John relaxing now as we are partway down after visiting Simon's Seat	The Squaddies who we met {as they were coming down} whilst we were climbing UP!
THe SADC "reminder" {of their duty and ethos} at 485m above sea level [Simon's Seat]	at 17:30 after a long day walking {7 hours or thereabouts} plus the River team were walking too
A nice scene of the River Wharf new Bolton Abbey -with Moses	Next to the Rocks around Simon's Seat
Full photo log on our Flickr Album dated 26th July 2022 https://www.flickr.com/photos/zhro-uk/albums/72177720300863408