The first Vigil of the new year was auspicious if only because it didn’t rain! We have just dried out after last week which ended the wettest year since English records began. That was a long time ago.

But cold water was thrown over our hopes for a better year at home with a report in the Zimbabwe Independent that Tsvangirai had agreed with Mugabe that whoever loses the Presidential election will accept defeat (see: http://www.zimbabwesituation.com/jan5a_2013.html#Z1 – Mugabe, Tsvangirai strike poll pact). If Tsvangirai thinks Mugabe is serious we are in big trouble.

With Mugabe taking a month’s holiday at this supposedly critical time, it seems clear to us that Zanu PF has no intention of implementing the reforms agreed for free and fair elections. The general expectation here in the cold is a repetition of 2008 and another GNU to enable the looting to continue.

The exiled writer Chenjerai Hove also sees no improvement on the election situation of 2008. ‘Mugabe’s party has not changed its approach one inch’ he says. ‘As the country faints under heavy economic and political burdens, the politicians would rather punch the air with empty slogans and worthless promises that are so unrealistic that even illiterate villagers wonder how a politician can be so dumb as to promise a bridge where there is not even a river’ (see: http://www.zimbabwesituation.com/jan5_2013.html#Z18 – Zimbabwe’s war of empty slogans).

Other points

• We hope the Vigil’s gloomy view of the prospects for 2013 is wrong. But it may be better than the prophecy of church leader Makandiwa who says great things are on their way and people will be so empowered that many would import cars. ‘You think you have seen congestion. No you have not; keep your eyes open and see what will be happening. Because of the grace coming upon people, driving shall be difficult in Harare.’ We thought it was bad enough already. (see: Makandiwa sees gold rush – http://www.zimbabwesituation.com/jan4_2013.html#Z11).
• Today we begin a review of Vigil highlights of 2012, covering the first half of the year (see: http://www.zimvigil.co.uk/the-vigil-diary/463-zimbabwe-vigil-highlights-january–june-2012-). It shows our concerns have hardly changed: getting action from South Africa and putting pressure on SADC members. Last year we had the easy targets of Mswati III of Swaziland and Sata of Zambia, Mugabe’s other praise singer in SADC. We are also helping the Zimbabwean global diaspora’s monthly protests and have launched the Zimbabwe Action Forum to plan ways forward to achieve democracy in Zimbabwe. (The second half of the Vigil’s 2012 highlights will be included in next week’s diary.)
• Thanks to everyone who sent new year greetings. We particularly liked this one from Zimbabwe: ‘May ur happiness increase like fuel prices in Ghana. Your troubles fall like Zimbabwean dollar. May your love and joy increase like corruption in Nigeria. May your enemies struggle like they need American visa. Have a blessed prosperous New Year.’
• A Nigerian man came and signed our petitions and said how Africa was full of leaders who clung to power until they were carried away in a coffin.
• 2013 promises a busy time for the Vigil and ROHR. The Central London branch of ROHR is to hold a meeting after the Vigil on Saturday 12^th January at 6.30 pm. It was felt that this branch should play a central role in the Zimbabwe Action Forum (ZAF). The first ZAF meeting in 2013 would be held after the Vigil on Saturday 19^th January at 6.30. ROHR Birmingham is to meet on Saturday 26^th January and ROHR Coventry branch is to be launched on Saturday 2^nd February. See: Events and Notices for details.
• Vigil management team members Ephraim Tapa, Rose Benton and Fungayi Mabhunu thanked supporters for their committed activism in 2012 and spoke about the need for continued activism in a year when elections were likely. After the shock of Bernard Hukwa’s suicide in 2012 they stressed that supporters should share their anxieties with others at the Vigil who might be able to help and that asylum seekers should read the flyer available at the Vigil with information on asylum matters supplied by the Zimbabwe Association.

For latest Vigil pictures check: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/. Please note: Vigil photos can only be downloaded from our Flickr website – they cannot be downloaded from the slideshow on the front page of the Zimvigil website. 

FOR THE RECORD: 51 signed the register.

EVENTS AND NOTICES:

• Leeds protest against deportation of failed Zimbabwean asylum seekers. Monday 7^th January from 11.30 am – 1.30 pm. Venue: UKBA, Waterside Court, Leeds LS4 2QB. Contact: Kevin Ngwenya 07717206366.
• ROHR Central London Branch meeting. Saturday 12^th January from 6.30 pm. Venue: Strand Continental Hotel (first floor lounge), 143 Strand, London WC2R 1JA. The meeting will take place straight after the Vigil. Directions: The Strand is the same road as the Vigil. From the Vigil it’s about a 10 minute walk, in the direction away from Trafalgar Square. The Strand Continental is situated on the south side of the Strand between Somerset House and the turn off onto Waterloo Bridge. The entrance is marked by a big sign high above and a sign for its famous Indian restaurant at street level. It’s next to a newsagent. Nearest underground: Temple (District and Circle lines) and Holborn. Contact: Fungayi Mabhunu 07746 552 597.
• Next Swaziland Vigil. Saturday 12^th January from 10 am – 1 pm. Venue: Swazi High Commission, 20 Buckingham Gate, London SW1E 6LB.  Please support our Swazi friends. Nearest stations: St James’s Park and Victoria. www.swazilandvigil.co.uk.
• Zimbabwe Action Forum (ZAF). Saturday 19^th January from 6.30 – 9.30 pm. Venue: Strand Continental Hotel (first floor lounge), 143 Strand, London WC2R 1JA. For directions see entry for ROHR Central London branch above.
• ROHR Birmingham Branch Meeting. Saturday 26^th January. Further details as they become available.
• Launch of the ROHR Coventry Branch. Saturday 2^nd February. Further details as they become available.
• Zimbabwe Vigil Highlights 2011 can be viewed on this link: http://www.zimvigil.co.uk/the-vigil-diary/363-vigil-highlights-2011.  Links to previous years’ highlights are listed on 2011 Highlights page.
• The Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHR) is the Vigil’s partner organization based in Zimbabwe. ROHR grew out of the need for the Vigil to have an organization on the ground in Zimbabwe which reflected the Vigil’s mission statement in a practical way. ROHR in the UK actively fundraises through membership subscriptions, events, sales etc to support the activities of ROHR in Zimbabwe. Please note that the official website of ROHR Zimbabwe is http://www.rohrzimbabwe.org/. Any other website claiming to be the official website of ROHR in no way represents the views and opinions of ROHR.
• ZBN News. The Vigil management team wishes to make it clear that the Zimbabwe Vigil is not responsible for Zimbabwe Broadcasting Network News (ZBN News). We are happy that they attend our activities and provide television coverage but we have no control over them. All enquiries about ZBN News should be addressed to ZBN News.
• The Zim Vigil band (Farai Marema and Dumi Tutani). To download the band’s theme song Vigil Yedu visit: www.imusicafrica.com and to watch the video check: http://ourvigil.notlong.com. To watch other Zim Vigil band protest songs, check: http://Shungurudza.notlong.com and http://blooddiamonds.notlong.com.
• Vigil Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8157345519&ref=ts.
• Vigil Myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/zimbabwevigil.
• Useful websites: www.zanupfcrime.com which reports on Zanu PF abuses and www.ipaidabribe.org.zw where people can report corruption in Zimbabwe. 

Zimbabwe Vigil Highlights: January – June 2012

Saturday 21^st January: Zimbabweans from all over the UK gathered outside the South African High Commission calling on President Zuma to force Zanu PF to implement the Global Political Agreement. The demonstration marked the beginning of a campagn of monthly demonstrations by Zimbabweans in the diaspora, including those in South Africa and the United States. Over 300 people attended the Vigil at which a petition to President Zuma was launched.

Saturday 4^th February: As London was blanketed in the first snow of the winter, Zimbabweans from several different groups met after the Vigil to launch the Zimbabwe Action Forum to discuss ways to help achieve democracy at home. Our sister organization, Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHR) earlier held a general meeting and expressed confidence in Ephraim Tapa as leader and elected a new UK Executive.

Saturday 18^th February: There was a special birthday party at the Vigil for Mugabe as he celebrated the easing of sanctions by the European Union. Vigil management team member Fungayi Mabhunu, wearing our Mugabe mask, was given a birthday present labeled ‘looted diamonds’.

Tuesday 21^st February: For the second month, the Free Zimbabwe Diaspora Campaign targeted South Africa over its lack of action on Zimbabwe. Vigil supporters joined MDC members outside the South African High Commission.

Saturday 25^th February: The Vigil expressed to the European Parliament our puzzlement at remarks by the EU Foreign Affairs representative, Baroness Ashton, about the easing of sanctions on Mugabe’s cronies. We said that, contrary to her statement, there had been little progress in implementing the GPA. In fact the situation had deteriorated in the past year.

Saturday 3^rd March: After the Vigil the Zimbabwe Action Forum held its second meeting, tasking a team with bringing forward proposals to achieve change at home.

Thursday 8^th March: Women from the Vigil took part in a programme to mark International Women’s Day. Led by management team member Josephine Zhuga, they danced, sang and drummed at a well-attended event at City and Islington College, one of England’s largest further education colleges. Josephine told how rape was used as a form of political control in Zimbabwe.

Saturday 17^th March: Following the lifting of the moratorium on sending back failed Zimbabwean asylum seekers, the Vigil noted more and more reports of people being given orders to leave. Some Vigil supporters have been detained when they reported to sign in at police stations.

Wednesday 21st March

Fungayi Mabhunu wore the Vigil’s Mugabe mask again outside the South African High Commission during the

third monthly Free Zimbabwe Global Protest attended by about 60 people. Mugabe carried posters reading ‘Vote MDC and DIE’ and ‘Vote for me or DIE’

Saturday 31^st March: The Vigil sent a letter to the British Prime Minister David Cameron thanking him for the commitment he gave during talks with Morgan Tsvagirai to help achieve free and fair elections in Zimbabwe. The Vigil asked for an opportunity to present Mr Cameron with the Vigil’s petition to the UN for passing on to the Security Council. The petition, signed by more than 12,000 people who had stopped by the Vigil, called on the UN to ensure the next elections in Zimbabwe are free and fair.

Saturday 7^th April: Sister Beverley led prayers for David Moyo who has been served with a third deportation order.  His mother and aunt were with us at the Vigil.

Saturday 21^st April: The MDC in the UK joined the Vigil to mark Independence Day. After gathering at the Vigil, about 200 people moved on to the nearby South African High Commission to continue the Global Diaspora Campaign to get President Zuma to call Mugabe to account. People then moved on to Whitehall to present the Vigil’s petition to the British Prime Minister to pass on to the UN calling on it to ensure free and fair elections in Zimbabwe. Five delegates from the Vigil were allowed into Downing Street to hand over the petition. We were sorry to report that, despite our campaign for him, David Moyo was sent back to Zimbabwe.

Saturday 28^th April 2012: We were glad to welcome Vincent Dlamini, National Organising Secretary of the Trade Union Congress of Swaziland and Secretary General of Swaziland’s National Public Services Union. He expressed gratitude for our support for the Swazi Vigil which has been campaigning for democracy outside the Swazi High Commission in London.

Wednesday 9^th May: About a dozen people from the Vigil attended the Globe Theatre for a performance in Shona of Shakespeare’s Two Gentlemen of Verona. It was part of a festival to mark the Queen’s jubilee during which Shakespeare’s thirty-seven plays were performed in thirty-seven languages. We were given free tickets for the play and were invited to join the two stars Denton Chikura and Tonderai Munyevu in the staff bar after the show. They had both been to the Vigil.

Saturday 12^th May: The Vigil had its annual visit by the Westminster Morris Men, traditional English male dancers who perform around the Borough of Westminster every year on the second Saturday in May. They grabbed hold of Vigil supporter Francesca Toft, danced round her and at the end of their performance lifted her aloft and then announced that they had just performed a fertility dance . . . The predominantly elderly dancers kissed her on the cheek in turn at the end.

Wednesday 16^th May: Vigil supporters joined the Swaziland Vigil in a demonstration outside a leading London hotel against the visit of King Mswati III of Swaziland – Africa’s last absolute ruler – who was in the UK to attend a diamond jubilee banquet for the world’s monarchs hosted by the Queen at Windsor Castle on Friday 18^th May. Amid drumming, singing and chants of ‘Mswati must go’, the demonstrators carried banners reading: ‘King Mswati buys £30m plane while his people eat cow dung’, ‘Mswati and his 30 strong entourage stay in £400 a night Savoy Hotel while his people starve’, ‘End human rights abuses in Swaziland’, and ‘Democracy now for Swaziland’.

Saturday 19^th May: After the Vigil we processed from the Zimbabwe Embassy to the Savoy Hotel about 200 yards down the Strand to join the Swazi Vigil as guests arrived for a dinner hosted by King Mswati. We heckled them with cries of ‘Shame on you, Shame on you’.

Saturday 26^th May: The Vigil broke the news to the world of the arrest in Zimbabwe of the BBC classical music presenter Petroc Trelawny. We were informed by relatives in Bulawayo that he had been taken into custody for taking part in the city’s music festival without permission to work in Zimbabwe, even though he was not being paid.

Saturday 2^nd June: The British government has assured the Vigil that it is ready to help SADC in its efforts to ensure free and fair elections in Zimbabwe. The assurance came in a letter from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in response to our petition submitted on 21^st April calling for UN intervention in Zimbabwe. Here is part of their reply: ‘We share your concerns over the potential for violence in the forthcoming elections in Zimbabwe and that the international community, particularly SADC, have a critical role to play in ensuring that this does not happen.’ People from the Vigil went on to a lively and well-attended meeting of the Zimbabwe Action Forum (ZAF) to discuss what we could do to keep up pressure on SADC.

Wednesday 6^th June: The Vigil

staged two demonstrations against the visit to London of President Michael Sata of Zambia who was a guest at the Jubilee celebrations for the Queen. Vigil Co-ordinator Dumi Tutani said ‘Sata is an unashamed supporter of Mugabe. His parroting “Pamberi ne Zanu PF (Forward with Zanu PF)” at last week’s SADC meeting was disgraceful.’  The first demonstration took place at Marlborough House where the Queen attended a lunch for Commonwealth leaders. The demonstrators then went on the Zambian High Commission to deliver a letter deploring President Sata’s interference in the internal affairs of Zimbabwe. President Sata, a former platform sweeper at London’s Victoria station, was offered a new broom by the Vigil ‘so that you can resume a profession for which you seem better equipped than your current one’. Zambian diplomats refused to accept the letter and broom so we posted the letter in a letterbox across the road.

Saturday 9^th June: A Zambian website which carried a report about our demonstrations against President Sata soon had more than 80 comments – mainly supportive of our action. Someone even suggested regular Friday ‘broom’ days.

Thursday 21^st June: The Vigil’s Mugabe mask made an appearance outside the Zambian High Commission for the sixth round of the monthly Free Zimbabwe Global Campaign aimed at pressuring SADC leaders into ensuring democratic reforms in Zimbabwe. Fungayi Mabhunu, wearing the mask, made another attempt to deliver a new broom for President Sata but once again Zambian diplomats spurned the gift. The Zambians seemed particularly unnerved by the Mugabe mask (not surprisingly!) and called the police for help. The police explained to them that we were acting within our rights.

30th June 2012: The monthly Zimbabwe Action Forum (ZAF) met after the Vigil and adopted a cartoon as a symbol. It has the caption ‘The people don’t know their true power . . .’ showing a dictator pontificating at the end of a plank suspended over a precipice – only kept from falling by subservient people standing on the other end of the plank and listening to him. 

Vigil co-ordinators

The Vigil, outside the Zimbabwe Embassy, 429 Strand, London, takes place every Saturday from 14.00 to 18.00 to protest against gross violations of human rights in Zimbabwe. The Vigil which started in October 2002 will continue until internationally-monitored, free and fair elections are held in Zimbabwe. http://www.zimvigil.co.uk.