The celebrations of the newly born branch “Thurrock & Basildon” ended at
At exactly
After the prayer, the whole room joined in singing Ishe Komborerara Africa. Not forgetting the chanted ROHR slogans from Mr Tapa. It was a moving moment.
Mr Billy Machekano welcomed all the people who attend the meeting. “Thank you all for your patience and support to ROHR with such vigour and commitment, it was cold out there." He also thanked the President of the organisation Mr Ephraim Tapa and Mr Bellie Nedie (
After his introductions he passed the time to the national Chairman Mr Nedie. He explained the ROHR logo, what it stands for and the ROHR slogan. This was an insight revelation to many. In his speech, he mentioned that ROHR is not just there to collect statistics about
As he finished, the whole room echoed their appreciation by clapping of hands before Mr Tapa featured and iced the cake.
Mr Tapa gave a brief history of ROHR formation, origin and its vision, he wholeheartedly welcomed all new members and stated that, ROHR is an organisation for everyone to take part and ideas from any member are welcome. “We have done our best so far and I agree that there is still room for improvement. Moving forward, we can go a step further together if we all get more involved in
After Mr Tapa’s speechwas followed by Question Time.
Q 1) Asked by Bertha Musengezi – “Since we are a new branch, how can we get involved in community support to help the local community? Are we allowed by law to be working on the community since some of our members are not allowed to work due to other circumstances?”
A) Answered by Billy Machekano – It not work, you don’t get paid and you not benefiting from it personally. It’s the community that benefit not individuals. Chelmsford Branch does it and the first people you need to approach as a branch are the local authorities.
Q 2) Asked by Enisa Saunyama – “As an organisation, what does ROHR do to help victims such as one that came out on BBC4 programme ‘Zimbabwe Forgotten Children’?”
A) Answered by Mr Tapa – We are greatly involved in helping victims of Human Rights activists in
Charlene Ndebele contributed that, it will be nice if all members of our branch would try to bring second hand clothes, cash, books, pencils and pens considering that its almost exam time in Zimbabwe. This was agreed and contributions will commence in the next general meeting.
Tobokwa Malikongwa also added that, child rights empowerment is our role as ROHR. Children should be educated at early years to know their rights. He referenced to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).
Q3) Asked by Loveness Chikwanje – “Human rights activism, advocacy and defending is the best way to express how one feels about human rights violations in Zimbabwe, Can one do all three or one has to be one of the three?"
A) Answered by Mr Nedie – A human rights activist is someone who ensures that people are treated fairly. A human rights defender is someone who promotes and strives for the protection and realisation of human rights and advocacy is speaking, acting and writing on behalf of the disadvantaged person human rights.
After question time, a committee was elected as follows:
Chairman Tobokwa Malikongwa 07533660621
Vice Chairman Shepherd Mabhena 07830910782
Secretary Charlene Ndebele 07857211543
Vice Secretary Tapiwa Makumba 07765636167
Organising Secretary Nhamo E Kamumvuri 07962337115
Information and Publicity Secretary Joao E M Matandirani 07886631728
Treasurer Stella Tabva 07958437202
Fundraiser Loveness Chikwanje 07556081129
Gender Clayton Tsiga 07984171576
Committee Member Billy R Machekano 07765459538
Tobokwa, the newly elected chair, gave a vote of thanks and Manyara I Munyedziwa closed with a prayer.
After the meeting everyone rushed to the kitchen as they failed to resist the delicious and appetising smell of well cooked food Zimbabwean style.
In the kitchen was Loveness Chikwanje who was helping Charlene Ndebele with the food. Charlene worked so hard running around buying all the food stuffs and preparing the food with help from Joao Matindarani. A special thank you guys for all the hard work, keep this up.
In October 2009 ROHR members of Chelmsford branch joined with the local community of Chelmsford and the Chelmsford Borough Council staff to do community voluntary work, litter picking along the riverbanks of river Chelmer.
