RAISING THE FLAG HIGH – MAVIS HARRISON

4^th October 2021

Amongst the activists who are raising the ROHR Zimbabwe flag high is non-other than Mavis

Harrison, the Deputy Organising Secretary for the North Branch of the UK Chapter of ROHR Zimbabwe.

Activism is about fighting for human rights, raising awareness on human rights issues as well as pointing out cases of human rights abuses when they occur.

It also often means working with like-minded organizations and individuals who are also in the same struggle. 

Such has been the case with ROHR Zimbabwe’s relationship with MyRight2Vote, an initiative of the popular Chief Felix Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni who is fronting the fight for the diaspora vote. ROHR Zimbabwe members have participated in a number of activities with the Chief, including demonstrations at the Zimbabwe Embassy in London and petitioning the British Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street (21/10/2021 & 02/12/2021) and COP26 in Glasgow (1st & 2nd November 2021).

We are proud of Mavis Harrison, not only for taking part in these events but also for helping with the publicity of the events.

In one instance where she tweeted about the occasion of Chief Felix Ndiweni presenting a petition at 10 Downing Street on 2nd December 2021, the tweet went viral, earning more than 1000 likes and being re-tweeted more than 200 times within a few hours.

Activism also stimulates dialogue on difficult subjects. It encourages finding solutions and educates people. Judging by the comment section many people are getting educated more about human rights as well as Traditions and Culture and their importance in today's politics.

Commenting on Mavis Harrison's tweet, the popular  France based Zimbabwean hip-hop artist, Awa Khiwe said "So people who are calling @Felix Ndiweni a sell out don't want the people in the diaspora to vote. It is not the first time a Zimbabwean leader has communicated with @BorisJohnson about Zimbabwean issues. Are they also sell outs? I come in peace".

This particular tweet is confirmation of the power of social media as a tool at our disposal as human rights activists. It is more powerful than ZBC and is dreaded by the regime. Little wonder the regime is now introducing the “Patriotic Bill” which once passed will become the Patriotic Act, a piece of law purportedly designed to outlaw what they broadly call “unpatriotic acts” which include criticizing the President or the government of Zimbabwe from abroad. This is exactly what our members and activists do. This includes Mavis Harrison who has been part of most of our demonstrations at the Embassy in London and petitioning at 10 Downing Street.

Inserted by

Information & Publicity Department
ROHR Zimbabwe