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
Walking for Activism: for fitness, for publicity; for a public reaction. But just to mingle in the wonderful British country-side and to enjoy the scenery
As a Zimbabwean Political and Human Rights activist. I'm a proud member of (ZHRO) Zimbabwe Human Rights Organisation. I have been privileged to participate in series of powerful events across the UK. Most notably - Walk for Freedom in Blackburn on the 5th of April 2025. We had a another recent one, at the Tees Barrage in Stockton on Tees on the 3rd of May 2025.
These walks are a cry for justice, a demand for accountability and a reminder to the World that the people of of Zimbabwe deserves to live in a nation where freedom of speech, press and peaceful political participation are respected. These events are not just public demonstrations, but deeply personal journeys, for those of us who are fighting for a free Zimbabwe. Through these long walks we remember the pain and suffering our people continue to endure back home under a brutal and corrupt regime.
With each step, is a symbol of resistance, hope and of unwavering call for justice and democracy in Zimbabwe. Carrying banners, singing songs for freedom and engaging with the public, allows us to raise awareness and ensure that the plight of Zimbabweans is not forgotten. The message behind our walk is clear - ZIMBABWE DESERVES BETTER!
Our country has collapsed under the "government" regime, that disregards the constitution and tightens it's grip on power through violence and fear. We walk for a free Zimbabwe where leaders will be accountable and every citizen treated with dignity.
The Blackburn Walk was a turning point - not only in the physical sense, as we brought message of change to a new town, but emotionally as well. It demonstrated the strength of our unity, our growing support among Zimbabweans in the Diaspora and the power of a peaceful protest. The energy and compassion shared that day gave renewed courage as activists. In Stockton, the walk at the Tees Barrage was powerful and emotional. It reminded me of the resilience we carry in our hearts. The sounds of our chants echoing along the river, symbolised the call for freedom, rippling across the borders. I felt empowered knowing that together we were making our voices heard.
HEALING THROUGH ACTIVISM AND FINDING STRENGTH IN THE WALKS!!!
Participating in long walks for freedom has not only allowed me to raise my voice against injustice, but has also helped me personally as someone battling depression. Being surrounded by fellow activists who understand the weight of our shared struggle. It gave me a sense belonging and purpose. Every step I took, felt like a release of pain and trauma that I have been carrying. In solidarity, chants and powerful messages reminded me that I am not alone - that even in exile our voices are heard. It is not easy to speak up, knowing the risks that many of us are facing.
Through the ZHRO and Flickr Photo-log publication, where are our faces are visible. Let's refuse to be silent. Silence only strengthens oppression. These walks have given me hope again. They've helped me clear some of the emotional fog, even if it's only for a moment and they've reminded me why I should keep going. Not just for justice in Zimbabwe but for my own healing too.
***The Struggle Continues.
Our work continues, as we are preparing for another crucial demonstrations in London on the 24th May, 4th June and the 17th of June, Where we will peacefully protest against the visit of Auxilia Mnangagwa. The petitions are handed over at No 10 Downing Street, on the 24th May 2025 for Africa Day (and its poor cousin - Zimbabwe) AND on the 4th of June 2025 regarding Auxilia Mnangagwa's unwelcome visit to the UK.
Our voices as "Empowered Women" (in Auxilla's own words from her false campaign) must be heard. Our message is clear, Auxilia Mnangagwa must be stopped from attending the Flair Summit in London. Her attendance in such events undermines the suffering of Zimbabweans and whitewashes the crimes of her husband's regime.
We will stand once again, with banners, voices and the spirit of togetherness, and of people who refuse to be silenced.
An intial circuit of the famous Tees Barrage on Saturday 3rd May, followed by a Walk to Elesewhere or Nowhere, as a Walk for Freedom! Josephine Jenge with support from Phylis Melody Magejo and Dickson Chikwizo have found this tour location central to Stockton. SEE FLYER - CLICK HERE AND SEE LARGE MAP - CLICK HERE OR Click on either image below to see larger version
will complete the write up of the 3rd May - after the event - obviously!
And here it is!! A really great day for all the 15 Walkers, their support, which included 2 Cleveland Police constables and the Local Aurhority Event's Team - to be accurate, it was because Josephine informed them of our planned walk - and we had given them sufficient information about our valid and respected purpose.
This is yet more activism after our recent Petition to the UK Prime Minister, the FCDO and the Commonwealth Commission {CLICK HERE} - on the so called 45th Anniversary of "Independence" Only Zanu PF celebrate this but the rest of Zimbabwe are less than happy with the mafia criminals who are masquerading as a regime in Zimbabwe having stolen yet another election via the heavily compromised ZEC - 'Zimbabwe Electoral Criminals'
Comments are incoming and Twitter posts have been made by many of the Walk 4 Freedom activists and their supporters:
@melmagejo"On World Press Freedom day, a stark and somber truth we find, Blessed Mhlanga remains confined, his voice unjustly bound. A poet's verse, a journalist's plea, silenced by a heavy hand, On this day for truth and freedom, his absence stains the land." Phylis Melody Magejo
@mamomurozvi"Walking for Zimbabwe freedom 45 years later no freedom of speech or association" Shamiso Moyo
Josephine Jenje Posted: Good morning all. We had a great Walk for Freedom. Thank you ZHRO for that unity of purpose as we walked to remove the shackles of oppression in our beloved country, Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 Thank you all, and special thanks to the veterans of the struggle, Patson, John, Yuda, Xoliso, Shami, Rukaya and Melody for the tirelessly continued support as we promote the walks. United We Stand!!! Melody will update our next walk. All those who shared videos and pictures thank you for sharing. All who traveled to Stockton/Middlesbrogh region; Dickson, Diana, Romancia, Shami and Daughter thank you. A blessed Sunday to everyone.
We all enjoyed the drum - and lessons were given too {Flickr}Drumming Lesson{Flickr}
It was also an event for ACTIVISM and we started the day just befor 10:00am on Saturday 3rd May 2025 with some serious testimonies from the Walkers {Flicker}Testimony and Statements{Flickr}
Charles Kanyimo has initiated a Walk for Freedom practice event on the 6th April 2025 Sunday - less than a day away for those local to SHEFFIELD, South Yorkshire. SEE FLYER - CLICK HERE
Due to other claims on Charles's time he needs to start this short walk at 8:00am but due to its short and circular nature, the Practice Walk can start again at 10:00am for those who cannot arrive so early. We should make sure we can all meet from both 7:30am and/or 9:30am next to the Sheffield's main Railway Station - Ready for the PHOTO LOG we have already created the Flickr Album for the Day
Check back here to see further updates
we will be be using this BANNER for our ongoing activism (this photo was from our
High Force walk in 2023)
Meeting at the Sheffield Main Railway Station
Arriving at Either or BOTH 7:30am AND 9:30am for
prompt 8:00am AND 10:00 am starts. {Do not attempt to arrive by 10 please}
This map from Ordnance Survey shows Central Sheffield
CLICK on the MAP to see a much larger image
Every Step Counts: dateline 7th April 2025 by Charles Kanyimo
Yesterday, I joined fellow activist John Burke for a 9km practice walk in Sheffield. It was part of our preparations for a much bigger challenge this coming August — a sponsored walk from Brighton to London.
Our mission is clear: to raise funds and awareness for human rights in Zimbabwe.
This walk isn’t just about fitness.It’s about solidarity. It’s also about standing with the people of Zimbabwe who are facing some of the worst human rights abuses in recent history. Mnangagwa’s government has intensified its crackdown on freedom of expression, peaceful protest, and political dissent. A big example is the recent imprisonment of journalist Blessed Mhlanga, jailed simply for doing his job —reporting the truth. His arrest is part of a wider pattern of repression where journalists, activists, lawyers, and ordinary citizens live in fear for daring to speak out.
The newer campaign started today - entitled "Walk to Nowhere" is detailed at the ZHRO website {Click Link for details} It uses the 45 year anniversary of "Independence" to reflect upon just how Independent are Zimbabweans? So a 45 kilometre circular walk is envisaged - going nowhere!! It is a year long campaign starting on the 18th April 2025 and we hope making a global impact too!
Our upcoming Brighton to London walk also symbolises the long, hard journey towards justice and freedom for Zimbabweans. Yesterday’s 9km in Sheffield may seem small, but every step we take is for those who cannot walk freely in their own country — those silenced, imprisoned, and persecuted for demanding a better Zimbabwe. We are walking to raise funds, but also to raise awareness. The world must not look away. Blessed Mhlanga’s story, and the stories of so many others, deserve to be told. Their struggle is real. Their courage inspires us. And their fight for human rights is one we all have a duty to support.
Phylis Melody Magejo has initiated a Walk for Freedom practice event on the 5th April 2025 - less than a day away for those local to BLACKBURN, Lancashire. SEE FLYER - CLICK HERE
We should make sure we can all meet from 9:30am next to the main car park at the park - postcode BB2 2TP or Witton Park Car Park, Witton Park Main Entrance, 293 Preston Old Rd, Darwen, Blackburn BB2 2TS for those using Sat Nav and driving. Ready for the PHOTO LOG we have already created the Flickr Album for the Day
Check back here to see further updates
Meeting at the Car Park area at the Entrance to Witton Park, Blackburn
BB2 2TS. Arriving at 9:30am for a prompt 10:00 am start. {Do not attempt to arrive by 10 please}
This map from Ordnance Survey shows Witton Park, Blackburn
PLUS Walking Routes further afield.
CLICK on the MAP to see a much larger image
WhatsApp Conference Minutes:
Walk for Freedom at Wilton Park
Today, 30 March, 2025 at 14:00 hrs four (4) Zimbabwe Human Rights (ZHRO) members including John Burke held a telephonic conversation in preparation for a Walk for Freedom at Wilton Park in Blackburn. The other three present were Phylis Melody Magijo, Theophilas Mkuhlani and myself, Josephine.
The idea was proposed by Melody and John was informed and agreed to the noble idea of resuming the Freedom Walks.
It was suggested that the walk would be best done during the weekend and a date was proposed. All present agreed for Saturday 5 April, 2025. People will meet in the park at 9.30am and the walk is scheduled for 10.00am. The exact meeting point would be advised in due course.
Melody volunteered to design the banner as soon as possible assisted by Josephine. John urged members to extend invitation to the scheduled walk.
John encouraged those attending to bring water and wear sensible shoes with socks and a cap or hat including other essentials. The distance of the walk is approximately 6 kilometers.
More information would be channeled via the group platform.
In early 2016 Rashiwe Bayisayi and myself started to explore walking routes from Brighton to London. It took quite some time and over 100 miles of footpaths, bridleways and byways {all thanks to Ordnance Survey Map APPs}.
It was Rashi's idea to commemorate Zimbabwe's Hero's Day - {Second Monday in August} with something heroic in the UK. And a 100+ km 30 hour Walk seemed to fit that notion. So we set about planning. This was whilst we were a part of Ephraim Tapa's ROHR/Zimbabwe Vigil - which we were funding at that time {another long story!!}.
History and Development
The 2016 Walk proved far too arduous to be completed over the two days - which included an over-night camping experience in Edenbridge, Kent. Since in the morning very few of the exhausted walkers could be roused. Indeed several had to retire with injuries to muscles and giant blisters. {we still feel bad about that to this day}. See the link to some photos of that ROHR Walk - with the ROHR Walk T Shirts {several are still available!! - but the web links on those T Shirts, are now incorrect}. Click for PHOTOS Here - uploaded in 2025 but all originally from 12-13th August 2016}
So Rashiwe and I refocused the Walk for Freedom {we changed the name once ZHRO was Formed in the October 2016} to use a gentler, mostly level route partly using the Downs Link at Henfield, West Sussex and onwards {see Details Here} and the Rivers Wey and Thames Navigation footpaths. It was a little shorter - but most importantly it was achievable! And the 3 ladies who walked the full route in around 30 hours need to be respected. Myself {john Burke} could only manage Brighton to Guildford Railway Station before ther pain from all my blisters beat my desire to walk any further - I was driven home!!
So a big hats off to Rashiwe Bayisayi {route leader}, Salom Nkiwane and guest Patience Musasawa who completed our first Walk for Freedom.
We were also in a position to fund a drone video production of the Walk from Brighton to Devil's Dyke and a little beyond. {Click DRONE VIDEO item to play it - please also listen to the musical accompanyment too}