ROHR Zimbabwe Combined Manchester & Liverpool Branches Meeting Saturday 14th June, 2014 Report
By: Panyika Karimanzira – Information & Publicity Secretary 16th June, 2014
On Saturday 14th June, 2014 Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe human
rights activists from Manchester, Rochdale, Bolton, Liverpool, Darwen and Crewe in
the UK converged at Salford University (Room MS1.32), in Manchester for a combined
Manchester & Liverpool Branches meeting which started at 2:00 pm and ended at
4:00 pm.
The meeting was also attended by a member of the Board of Trustees, namely
Panyika Anselm Karimanzira (International Spokesperson). Apologies were received
from Paradzai Mapfumo (a member of the Board of Trustees), Delina Mutyambizi
(Treasurer in the National Executive Committee – UK Chapter and outgoing
Chairperson of Manchester Branch), Lorraine Mudyiwa (Co-ordinator – North –
UK Chapter), Phyllis Chibanguza Co-ordinator – UK Chapter), Eve Mwadiwa, Kelly
Muranganwa and Susan Ndlovu.
Other attendees included Pythias Makonese (Vice Chairperson of Manchester branch
and from Crewe) as well as activists Chipiwa Stella Makaranga (fundraiser), Mavu
Chinyani (fundraiser and from Darwen), Petronella Mahachi (Secretary and from
Liverpool), David Ngwenya (Treasurer and from Bolton), Mishell Chirunga (from
Liverpool), Tichapondwa Shoriwa, William Shoriwa and Chris Deda
Panyika Karimanzira updated the meeting on current human rights situation in
Zimbabwe as well as the activities of ROHR Zimbabwe on the ground in Zimbabwe
and also in South Africa and the UK. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was
discussed in great detail and so were the Aims & Objectives of ROHR Zimbabwe.
This was in line with the ongoing theme “Who is a human rights activist”.
The meeting was interactive with everyone participating in the proceedings. The
issue of the way forward for the UK Chapter of ROHR Zimbabwe and, by extension,
Manchester & Liverpool Branch in its ever-important role of providing material and
intellectual resources to the people on the ground in Zimbabwe was revisited and
deliberated upon and so were the implications of the mooted easing of targeted
sanctions on some of the ruling elite in Zimbabwe by the EU on the human rights
situation in Zimbabwe.
There was also a lively question and answer session during which everyone present
contributed to the ensuing debate on a wide range of topics, including ROHR
Zimbabwe’s ongoing involvement with and impact on the activities on the ground
in Zimbabwe.
The meeting then proceeded to elect a substantive Manchester & Liverpool Branch
Committee. The resultant substantive Branch Committee is as follows; –
Chairperson: – Pythias Makonese, Vice Chairperson: – Mavu Chinyani, Secretary: –
Petronella Mahachi, Vice Secretary: – Sithembiso Sibanda, Organizing Secretary: –
William Shoriwa, Deputy Organizing Secretary: – Vacant, Information & Publicity
Secretary: – Vacant (Panyika Karimanzira to act), Deputy Information & Publicity
Secretary: – Vacant, Fundraiser 1: – Chris Deda, Fundraiser 2: – Mishell Chirunga,
Activist 1: – Chipiwa Stella Makaranga Activist 2: – Hedwig Tabikira, Activist 3: – Artwell
Pfende. Delina Mutyambizi would act as Deputy Organizing Secretary.
It was agreed that the new committee’s immediate task is to steer the revitalization
of the two branches and the resumption of the Manchester and Liverpool Vigils and
petitions.
The meeting ended at a around 4:00 pm.
To view pictures taken at the event, click here or follow link below.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/rohr_zimbabwe__manchester/sets/72157645234748613/
