11th October 2020
On Saturday the 10th September
2020, the Scotland Branch of the UK Chapter of Restoration of Human Rights
(ROHR) Zimbabwe held a meeting via zoom. Alvina Chibhamu (Branch Secretary)
chaired the meeting.
Register of attendance
Alvina Chibhamu, Olivia Chamboko, Harriet Ndlovu,
Vongayi Mufara. Guests from other branches were; Nicolate Gwati (ROHR UK
Chapter Chairperson), Delina Mutyambizi (Board Member) and others from the ROHR
Zimbabwe UK Chapter wider community Blessing Goronga, Karen Murove, Vengayi Mutsawu,
Jacob Mhlanga (from Ireland) and Tabeth Mabiza-Nhakaniso.
Agenda
1.
Alvina Chibhamu- Welcome remarks and Apologies.
2.
Alvina Chibhamu - Confirmation and adoption of the
last meeting minutes.
3.
Alvina Chibhamu - Black History month and invite
every member to contribute to their research.
4.
Olivia Chamboko - Black History Month Campaign.
5.
Vongayi Mufara - #JusticeForTapiwaMakore Campaign.
6.
Harriet Ndlovu - Update on subscriptions.
7.
Any other business.
Alvina Chibhamu, the meeting chair, opened the
meeting at 1400hrs and started by welcoming and introductions. She
acknowledged the visiting members from other branches who also introduced
themselves and their respective branches.
1. Minutes
Approval
Alvina called for confirmation and seconding of last month’s minutes and
Vongayi confirmed seconded by Olivia as a true record of what transpired
2. Black History month and individual contributions
· Alvina opened by explaining that Black History Month(UK) runs
throughout October to recognize, celebrate and champion the history of
achievements of people of African descent, informing and educating on black
heritage, value systems and way of life of British society that make black
lives matter. She also mentioned that this year the theme is Advancing Justice
and Equality in Scotland. She called upon attendees to share their
understanding of the black History months.
· Vongayi
mentioned that to her it’s not only about remembering the bad things that
happened to black people but to celebrate contributions from icon Civil Rights
Activist like Martin Luther King who always encouraged people to stand for what
is right. She encouraged people to participate in speaking out against Human
rights violations in Zimbabwe and went on to mention one of Martin Luther’s quotes
“ He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to
perpetuate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really
cooperating with it”
· Karen
mentioned that she is inspired by Steve Biko who was an anti-apartheid activist
and was on the forefront of a grassroots anti-apartheid campaign known as the
Black Consciousness Movement and died for a good cause. He was assassinated for
his activism activities in 1977
·
Harriet talked
about Nelson Mandela- South African anti-apartheid revolutionary and political
leader who later served as President of South Africa.
·
Olivia
recognised all ROHR Zimbabwe Activists who have been fighting for Human rights
in Zimbabwe from the time the organisation started to date. She highlighted why
Scotland branch members were in prison jerseys; as an extension to the campaign
we did last month #UnlawfulIncarcerationMustEnd, we were also hailing activists
on the ground taking a stand on this.
·
Nicolate
mentioned Harriet Tubman an American political Activist who was born into
slavery and she escaped. She went on 13 missions to rescue approximately 70
enslaved people using the network of antislavery activists and safe houses
known as the underground railroad.
·
Vengayi advised
that he was touched by PM Boris Johnson’s Black History month speech when he
encouraged black people and everyone to keep up the fight against inequality
and racism.
·
Tabeth
mentioned that it is good to recognise our own Zimbabwean Activists who are
contributing towards the black History. She pointed out Beatrice Mtetwa who is
doing a lot in fighting for justice in Zimbabwe.
· Alvina
mentioned June Sarpong OBE-activist and established broadcaster for her
contribution in British media spanning over 20years. She became one of the
youngest persons to be awarded an MBE for her services to charity and
broadcasting. In October 2019,Sarpong made history and became the first ever
Director of Creative Diversity with the BBC.Sarpong has forced people to address
underrepresentation and injustices in racial inequality. Alvina went on to tie this
with previous efforts made by ROHR Scotland in speaking out for women who seem
to have no voice in Zimbabwe, with campaigns such as #StopViolenceAgainstWomen lobbying
against rape by state security agents, re-traumatisation and retribution if
women spoke out, the valiant efforts of 2 single women Caroline Bushu and Sandra
Chikwama who are to date feeding over 1,200 children at the Epworth Kid’s
Breakfast. Strong names such as Jestina Mukoko and aforementioned-Beatrice
Mtetwa were also mentioned and perhaps, we also, will one day be celebrated in
history for our gallantry in our fight against injustice and human rights
abuses.
Alvina invited ideas in commemoration of Black
History Month as we had so many valuable contributions from speakers today.
·
Olivia suggested we come up with a campaign to
celebrate and recognize our activists in Zimbabwe.
·
Karen suggested that we come up with short videos
recordings with a speech about Activists who inspire us.
·
Tabeth supported that videos are more effective and
powerful than writing as most people do not read anymore.
·
Vongayi suggested that everyone could come up with
a short statement of their chosen activist; giving a summary and history about
why the Activist inspires them to go across all our social media platforms and
ROHR blog.
·
Nicolate pointed out that it will be good to
highlight all these Activists starting with people like Itai Dzamara and his
brother Patson, Namatai Kwekweza, Takudzwa Ngadziore, The MDC trio, Hopewell
Chin’ono, Beatrice Mtetwa just to mention a few, who have stood firm in this
struggle. She also pointed out that writing has more traction as it attracts
more participation and it also ties the individual to the campaign. And it will
be good if it becomes an ongoing campaign starting this month.
· Delina suggested that we could write a letter
directed to the government and post it on social media tagging people like Nick
Mangwana who engages people on social media.
Action
Start
a campaign for the black history month – write up with the chosen individual’s
picture
3. Stop
Ritual Killing Campaign
Vongayi spoke about the gruesome ritual murder of a 7-year-old
boy, Tapiwa Makore of Nyamutumbu village in Murehwa by his uncle Tapiwa Makore
(Senior) with the help of his herdsman Tafadzwa Shamba. The child was
kidnapped, drugged, killed, and had his head, arms and legs cut off in the
ritual murder. The perpetrators have since been arrested on murder charges and
are in custody as the police continue to hunt for the witch doctor accused of taking
the other body parts for rituals. She pointed out that as Human rights Activist
we need to speak against these ritual killings of minors as these killings are
on the rise in Zimbabwe.
Action
It was suggested
that we start a campaign #StopRitualKillings, #JusticeForTapiwaMakore
4. Albino Community Highfields
Donation Initiative
Alvina spoke about the Albino community in
Highfields, Harare that cannot cope with the costs of sun creams and pointed
out that the children cannot go out and play without applying the cream as the
sun badly damages their skin. The community is not looking for food but
appealing for ordinary sun creams they use on daily basis. Each cream cost
USD25 in Zimbabwe, ZAR100 in South Africa and £2.25 in Aldi in the UK.
Action
It was agreed that we start fundraising for the
Albino Community to enable us to buy the sun creams here in the UK and ship
them to Zimbabwe. To also approach sun cream giants and try and get them to
sponsor the children.
5. Treasury
Report
Harriet reported on what we have in our kitty for
subscriptions and fundraising. She encouraged all members be up to date with
their monthly subscriptions.
Current
fundraising for Epworth kitchen is £295 from the below contributions/fundraisers.
1. Alvina
Chibhamu- £140
2. Harriet
Ndlovu- £20
3. Vongayi
Mufara- £30
4. Lindah
Chenyama- £10
5. Olivia
Chamboko- £10
6. Abigail
Wadzanayi Chidavayenzi- £40
7. Panyika
Karimanzira- £10
8. Pradzai
Mapfumo- £20
9. Delina
Mutyambizi- £10
10.
Lillian Nleya- £5
Bringing
our total to £295
Harriet asked when the donation was going to be
done and Alvina responded that it was going to be as soon as our
representatives on the ground avail themselves.
8. Any Other Business
Vongayi reminded Scotland committee members to
remain logged on for the committee meeting to follow. Vongayi, announced that the date of the next branch meeting 7thNovember 2020.
All agenda items and any other business having been
exhausted, Alvina thanked everyone for attending and declared
the meeting closed at 1530hrs
To
view pictures taken at the event, follow the link below
.
By: Information &
Publicity Department
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