Our Request: “On the 18th April it will be 45 years since the Independence in Zimbabwe, fought by ZIPRA and ZANLA. However very little is evident of actual independence in today's Zimbabwe. In addition, as ZHRO we have created a "Walk for Freedom" campaign since 2017 {see ZHRO Walks 2017 - today } to question what is happening in Zimbabwe.”
Update 10th April 2025: Downing St. Police Unit have approved our PETITION delivery 13:30 FRIDAY 18th April
A Call to Action: 45 Years of Stagnation – The “Walk to Nowhere” Campaign
On 18th April 2025, Zimbabwe will mark 45 years since its historic Independence, a hard-won victory achieved through the sacrifices of the Zimbabwe People’s Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA) and the Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army (ZANLA). This milestone should be a time of celebration, reflection, and pride in the promise of a free and prosperous nation. Yet, for many Zimbabweans—both at home and in the diaspora—the reality of independence feels hollow.
Decades of misrule, corruption, and repression have left the country in a state of stagnation, where the dreams of 1980 have faded into a "nowhere" of unfulfilled potential.
To mark this bittersweet anniversary, the Zimbabwe Human Rights Organisation (ZHRO) is launching a bold new campaign: the “Walk to Nowhere”—a combined Independence protest and a symbolic 45-mile (or 45-kilometer) walk. This initiative builds on ZHRO’s established “Walk for Freedom” campaign, which, since 2017, has seen activists cover gruelling distances—such as the 105km trek from Brighton to London—to highlight the ongoing human rights abuses and lack of democratic progress in Zimbabwe. Now, on this 45th anniversary, we invite Zimbabweans and their supporters worldwide to join us in a poignant demonstration that mirrors the nation’s journey: 45 years, 45 miles, and still nowhere near true freedom.
Why 45?
The number 45 is more than just a marker of years since Independence. It is a stark symbol of Zimbabwe’s arrested development. After 45 years, millions of Zimbabweans endure poverty, unemployment, and repression under a regime that has clung to power since 1980, led by the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF). The liberation armies fought for self-determination, equality, and justice, yet today’s Zimbabwe is plagued by economic collapse, rampant corruption, and a ruling elite that prioritizes power over the people. The “Walk to Nowhere” reflects this paradox—a long, arduous journey that has led not to progress, but to a dead end.
The “Walk to Nowhere” Campaign
The “Walk to Nowhere” is both a physical and symbolic act of protest. From 18th April 2025, for a YEAR, ZHRO calls on activists, diaspora communities, and allies to participate in walks spanning 45 miles (approximately 72 kilometers) or 45 kilometers (approximately 28 miles - ideal for a day)—distances that echo and reflect upon the 45 years since Independence. These walks will take place across the globe, from the streets of Harare (given sensible precautions see below) to the countryside of the UK, South Africa, Europe, USA and beyond, wherever Zimbabweans and their supporters reside.
- Purpose: To protest the lack of genuine independence and demand accountability, democracy, and human rights in Zimbabwe.
- Route: Walks can follow circular routes that return to their starting point—symbolizing a nation trapped in a cycle of stagnation—or end at significant locations like embassies or public squares, amplifying the call for change.
- Message: Participants are encouraged to carry placards with slogans like “45 Years, Still Nowhere,” “Independence for Who?” and “Walk for Freedom, Walk for Justice,” drawing attention to the disconnect between the promise of 1980 and the reality of 2025.
- Donations: Donations of any amount can be made via this link {DONATION} or the QR Cash-Back PDF CLICK HERE.
This campaign builds on ZHRO’s legacy of endurance and activism. Since 2017, our “Walk for Freedom” has seen dedicated individuals brave long distances to spotlight issues like electoral fraud, maternal mortality, and the denial of diaspora voting rights (see more at ZHRO/15-105km-"Walks/45 for Freedom 2017- 2025"). The “Walk to Nowhere” takes this spirit further, using the symbolic power of 45 to confront the world with Zimbabwe’s plight.
A Global Movement
The beauty of this campaign lies in its accessibility. Whether you walk 45 miles or 45 kilometres, 45 days at 1 mile or 1km a day, alone or in a group, in Zimbabwe or abroad, your steps will join a chorus of voices demanding change. For those unable to cover the full distance, shorter “solidarity walks” or virtual participation through social media (using hashtags like #WalkToNowhere and #Zim45) can amplify the message. Drumming, singing, and speeches—hallmarks of ZHRO’s past protests—will accompany the walks, turning them into vibrant demonstrations of resilience and hope.
In Zimbabwe, where protests are often met with violence, we urge participants to prioritize safety and adhere to local laws, while still making their voices heard. Abroad, the diaspora can use their freedom to speak louder, pressuring governments and international bodies to address Zimbabwe’s crisis.
Reflecting on 45 Years
As we walk, we reflect. ZIPRA and ZANLA fought for a Zimbabwe where every citizen could thrive, not just survive. Yet, 45 years later, the maternal mortality rate remains alarmingly high (462 deaths per 100,000 live births, according to WHO’s 2024 report), youth unemployment soars, and political dissent is crushed. The “Walk to Nowhere” is a call to reclaim the independence that was promised—a reminder that the struggle continues.
Join Us
From the 18th of April 2025 to 18th April 2026, let’s walk together—not to celebrate a hollow milestone, but to demand the Zimbabwe our forebears envisioned. Register your walk with ZHRO, organize locally, and spread the word. After 45 years of going nowhere, it’s time to chart a new path.
For more details, visit https://zhro.org.uk/45 or follow us on social media. Together, we walk for freedom, justice, and a future worth fighting for.
