Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe

The celebrations of the newly born branch “Thurrock & Basildon” ended at 7:30pm on the 27^th March the day when demons and evil spirits were fighting vigorously to stop the labour. The day started slowly and having people leaving the meeting before it even started was disheartening. The doors to the meeting room remain locked; “where is the caretaker?” everyone asked, keys could not be found until 3:30pm. It looked like a disaster but yielded a happy ending. Thank God the meeting went ahead.

At exactly 3:45pm, the launch kicked off in our traditional style – opening prayer from Berittar W Bare. The prayer was mainly focusing on asking for God’s mercy to help the victims of human rights abuses in Zimbabwe. The kids who are left without parents and wander on the streets to seek for help. “God help us to have the resources to support them that need help in Zimbabwe”, she pleaded.

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 (UK - National Chairman) for coming to the launch meeting. “Before moving forward”, he continued, “Lets all be aware that we are all here to launch a branch in Thurrock and Basildon which will make an impact to the local community and to the victims of human rights abuses in Zimbabwe”.

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 Zimbabwe. “ROHR has members on the battle field who fight and campaign for Human Rights to be respected in Zimbabwe,” he said. “We go to dangerous places in Zimbabwe and collect evidence of what we fight for; Human Rights in Zimbabwe.” He also stated that everyone in Zimbabwe should be free to express their right of choice of who they want to vote for without any fear of being beaten up. He spoke of the history of Zimbabwe and the 1979 elections which were won by ZANU PF and Robert Mugabe. Zimbabwean independence was celebrated in April 1980 and everything was done freely and fairly. Mr Nedie emphasised the point that ROHR is non political and it does not represent either ZANU PF or MDC or any other political party in Zimbabwe. 

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 Zimbabwe and in our local communities”. He went on talking about unity and its strength, how we should stand together to fight the cause of consistent human rights violations in Zimbabwe irregardless of the unity Government which seems to fail to address human rights perpetrators.

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 Zimbabwe and we have send clothes, cash, medicines, books, etc. Everthing is on the website. 

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.