ROHR Zimbabwe Scotland Branch Launch Meeting Saturday 20th July 2019 Report

20^th July 2019

ROHR Zimbabwe Scotland Branch Launch Meeting Saturday 20^th July 2019 Report

On Saturday 20th July 2019 Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe human rights activists from various cities and towns in the UK converged at Motel One, 78 – 82 Oswald Street, Glasgow G1 4PL, Scotland for a meeting and the official launch of the Scotland Branch of the UK Chapter of ROHR Zimbabwe. The meeting was chaired by Panyika Karimanzira (Board member and Spokesperson for ROHR Zimbabwe). It started at 15:00 hrs.

Also, officiating at the meeting was another Board member, Delina Mutyambizi who, together with two other ROHR Zimbabwe members Magadaline Moyo and Estery Dhliwayo had travelled all the way from Manchester to partake in this special event.

The meeting was a culmination of a process, the brainchild of Olivia Chamboko that started with the coming together of members resident in Scotland to form a branch. After a period of caucusing via a bespoke WhatsApp group they then agreed on a date for the official launch of the Scotland branch.

Register of attendance

Olivia Chamboko, Alvina Chibhamu, Vongayi Mufara, Edward Rhappozzoh, Lindah Chenyama, Abigail Chidavayenzi, Sean Chipango, Delina Mutyambizi, Estery Dhliwayo, Magadaline Moyo and Panyika Karimanzira.

Apologies were received from Don Mangisi, Bethuli Makuwe and Margaret Jenkins.

Upon calling the meeting to order at 15:00 hrs Panyika Karimanzira asked for self-introductions before delving into the business of the day. He went on to narrate the history of Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe first before explaining, in detail, the roles and responsibilities of each portfolio (Chairperson, Secretary, Organizing Secretary, Treasurer, Information & Publicity Secretary, Committee Members, Fundraising Committee Members and, where relevant, their deputies). Participants were afforded an opportunity to ask questions or seek further clarification and the Chairperson duly obliged.

Delina Mutyambizi explained, in detail, the role of Organizing Secretary and also took questions from the floor on this topic.

Magadaline Moyo explained the importance of activism, networking and forging alliances with other human rights organizations and social movements, e.g. LIST and LGBT Foundation, both of which are LGBT organisations in Manchester of which she is also a member.

Once everyone had confirmed that they had understood what would be expected of them if they were nominated and accepted a role in the new Branch’s executive committee, the chairperson called for the nomination and election process to start in earnest.

The process was presided over by the two Board members present. The process led to the election of individuals into portfolios. At the end of the process Delina Mutyambizi officially announced the new executive committee of the Scotland Branch of the UK Chapter of Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe as follows;

The new Scotland Branch committee

Chairperson: Olivia Chamboko

Secretary: Alvina Chibhamu

Organizing Secretary: Vongayi Mufara

Treasurer: Abigail Wadzanayi Chidavayenzi

Information & Publicity Secretary: Sean Chipango (acting) with the assistance of Olivia Chamboko

Fundraising Committee Member: Lindah Chenyama

Committee Member: Don Mangisi

Committee Member: Edward Rhappozzoh

After the usual congratulatory civilities and protocols Panyika Karimanzira handed over the chairing of the meeting to the newly elected Chairperson of the Scotland branch committee, Olivia Chamboko to mark the official birth of the branch.

Olivia Chamboko led a robust discussion covering several topics including the potential of the new branch, the recruitment of new members, campaigns, demonstrations, petitions and networking. Everyone in the meeting participated in the ensuing discussion.

Abigail Chidavayenzi described how she had since established contact and rapport with a prominent human rights activist on the ground in Zimbabwe and how the new branch could benefit from this relationship. The meeting agreed to pursue this matter further together with that of potential networking partners mentioned by Sean Chipango.

Vongayi Mufara, Lindah Chenyama and Edward Rhappozoh were upbeat about their new roles and each promised maximum effort in seeing to the success of the new branch.

During her closing remarks, she singled out the following members for a special vote of thanks; -

·         Sean Chipango for securing the venue of the meeting and for offering to assist the Information & Publicity portfolio.

·         Alvina Chibhamu for volunteering to take the minutes of this meeting.

·         Delina Mutyambizi and Panyika Karimanzira for mentorship in the run up to the branch launch

·         Estery Dhliwayo for the travel logistics of the delegation from Manchester

·         The Manchester delegation comprising Delina Mutyambizi, Estery Dhliwayo and Magadaline Moyo for travelling all the way to officiate at and support the launch of the new branch.

The meeting ended at 17.15 hrs.

To view pictures taken at the event, click here or follow link below.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rohr_zimbabwe__manchester/albums/72157709791449212

By: Information & Publicity Department

Cover Picture:- https://www.flickr.com/photos/rohr_zimbabwe__manchester/48341044737/in/album-72157709791449212/