Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe

The meeting started at 3 pm. Opening the meeting was Mr Mapfumo the event’s master of ceremonies. He then gave the platform to Mr Makotsa who welcomed all those present including two special guests Mr Ephraim Tapa, the founder and president of ROHR, Zimbabwe and Mr Tapfumaneyi from Bake & Co Solicitors. He went on to thank all the members of the Gravesend branch formation Steering Committee: Davie Maswodza (Secretary/ Organising), Paul Makuchete (Fundraiser), Piniel Munatsi (Treasurer) for a job well done and the rest of team for their efforts to make the whole thing a success.  

Next Miss Shingirai Mudyiwa led the song Ishe Komborera Africa with the lyrics being specially dedicated to Zimbabwe our beautiful nation after which Miss Caroline Magwaza gave a prayer. The moment was described by Mr Tapa as very touching and we couldn’t help getting emotional when thinking about the suffering of Zimbabweans as a people.  

After the prayer Mr Tapa explained the origins of ROHR and what it stood for, which is to conscientise and educate the people of Zimbabwe and the rest of the world about human right abuses in Zimbabwe and also take the bold stance of naming and shaming the perpetrators. He said Zimbabweans have been forced to leave their beloved country to do menial jobs and living in very difficult conditions because of the poor political and economic environments.  

Taking over the floor after Mr Tapa was Mr Tapfumaneyi who spoke in detail about issues pertaining to asylum and immigration; it was quite informative. There was then an opportunity to ask Mr Tapa and Mr Tapfumaneyi questions. 

Finally, it was time to announce the newly elected Gravesend branch executive and once more Mr Tapa took over the floor.    

The Interim Executive  
Chairman:                             Onward Robson Makotsa (07727900558)
Deputy Chairman:                Leslie Chaipa Mukaronda 
Secretary:                               Davie Maswodza (07865645418)
Treasurer:                              Paul Makuchete
Deputy Treasurer:                 Dionne M Maswodza
Organizing Secretary:           Charity Munjoma
Publicity:                                  Piniel Munatsi Deputy
Deputy Publicity:                    Shingirai S Mudyiwa
Fundraiser:                             Gladys V Makuchete
Deputy Fundraiser:                Caroline Magwaza
Assistant Fundraiser:            Suzen Mwale
Assistant Fundraiser:            Stenley Mushawatu    
Activists: Shadreck Munatsi, Zachariah White, Carol Mushore, Sandra Magara, Josiah Maseya, Suzan Fambisai, Elisheba Chinyani, Tendai Musendekwa, Patience Mazire, Tendayi Musiringofa

The sumptuous traditional dish was prepared and served by Ms Caroline Magwaza, Gladys V Makuchete, Dionne M Maswodza, Ms S Mwale and Ms Charity Munjoma and being helped by Stenley Mushawatu.  

The meeting ended at 6 pm with a vote of thanks from the newly appointed branch chairman Mr. Makotsa who thanked the guests for coming and making the day a memorable one.  

On a personal note; on my on behalf and on behalf of our Chairman and of the former Gravesend Branch Formation Steering Committee I would like to congratulate and thank all members and attendees for their contribution in making this launch an easier task to achieve. Without you it wouldn’t have been possible and I hope we will continue to work as a team and make ROHR Gravesend even more successful.  

Davie Maswodza, Secretary ROHR Zimbabwe Gravesend, April 2009