Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights (Washington, DC)
24 November 2009
document
Remarks by Jenni Williams, accepting on behalf of Women of Zimbabwe Arise, the 26th Annual Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award, November 23th, 2009 at the White House, Washington, DC.
Good evening Mr. President, Mrs. Obama, honoured guests, ladies and gentlemen.
I would like to add my thanks to that of Magodonga’s to the Robert F Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights and friends here present for the recognition given to Women of Zimbabwe Arise.
WOZA was formed to give voice to ordinary women and men and to demand social justice for all Zimbabweans. We did not set out to seek recognition beyond that of our own government respecting us as citizens and recognising our concerns as legitimate. We are mothers of the nation, longing for the award of dignity, and a bright future for our children.
It is unfortunate however, to note that our activism – demanding our rights as citizens ---- comes at a cost. I personally find WOZA members constant courage inspirational and would like to take this opportunity to salute their dedication. Although some have paid the ultimate price -------- their lives sacrificed at the hands of police harassment, or due to a health crisis, brought about by a government, that prioritises power over human life. As I stand here in the White House, I pay tribute to them – Tembelani Lunga - Julia Chapeyama - Fungai Chabata - Douglas Magwaro - Maria Moyo and others.
Maria’s story is an example of how life is cut short in Zimbabwe. A veteran of the liberation struggle, Maria looked after her six orphaned grandchildren, struggling to educate them by selling tomatoes. Finding that the country’s hard-won independence had been squandered, she once more engaged in struggle and became an active member of WOZA.
It was upon her tenth arrest and two nights in filthy police cells, Maria contracted the flu. Her condition steadily worsened as she had insufficient food and no access to medicine. The final straw came when she was abducted from her sickbed by police early one morning and interrogated in the bush for hours. Maria died days later, never recovering from the trauma of her torture.
Maria embodies the spirit that drives us. WOZA was formed to turn a victim mindset into the one of a survivor -- determined to finally realize the promises of the liberation war – for the ideal of “one person-one vote,” for equality and for the right to education. Blood has already been spilt for these ideals. WOZA leads a nonviolent struggle and we are committed to giving it a chance to complete our long walk to freedom.
To help us, we draw inspiration from the work of Martin Luther King Junior. He challenged us to ‘make injustices visible’ and to work so that ‘fear can be turned into hope.’ We modelled our training programmes on his advice, and today, we have a membership of 75,000 strong to show for it.
We are not fighting a revolution in Zimbabwe, we are leading an evEolution. And civic education is our tool to evolve the hearts and minds of Zimbabweans, to build a strong, new, African democracy, where respect, tolerance and accountability are key. The building blocks of this democracy are being laid in cattle kraals, tiny two-roomed houses and church halls across the country.
Mr President you know how invaluable community mobilising can be – We have learnt that knocking on doors, talking with and listening to people is the way WE CAN rebuild our nation. We call on you, to support community mobilizers who are organized to knock on doors, and empower Zimbabweans to deliver change from the ground up.
Magodonga has already appealed to friends here present, I would like to add my plea that Zimbabweans be allowed to develop their democratic voice without harassment.
The constitutional reform process is currently stalled in Zimbabwe.
Little has been done under the Global Political Agreement to ensure there is a secure environment for people to participate in this process and that they can freely say what they want to be included in the content of our new constitution.
We are extremely worried that the structures of violence organized during the presidential run-off last year are currently being reinstated, to intimidate us into silence, and allow the fast-tracking of the so-called “Kariba Draft” of the constitution, endorsed by the political parties. Why is this money being spent for violence instead of funding the constitutional reform? And where is this funding coming from? Please help us expose this. We need to know. We want to be able to express our views and still live to see the new constitution working.
We ask for help in establishing a Southern African Development Community monitoring mechanism of the GPA, that would focus on individuals’ security, and the constitutional reform process. WOZA can take care of the speaking out, and the freedom to express, but we need help to make sure there is freedom after expression.
I thank you!
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Ha ha ha!
When Zim Heroine, 'Spill Blood' Mujuru, is been awarded by eurocentric devils, then Zim Patriots will make note. lol
Let's see the Americans hand out awards to Iraqi Patriots who have been resisting the mass slaughter of hundreds of thousands of INNOCENT Iraqi women, children, old people, etc by criminal invaders?
Typical arrogant American politicians thinking that African Patriots will be swayed with the handing out of devilish 'divide and dominate' PROPAGANDA awards by the biggest set of mass murderers on the planet.
Only the mentally enslaved would revel in asinine awards from historically beastly beings and mass murdering hypocrites.
It is very very important that Zimbabwean women do not allow themselves to be tempted by the eurocentric devils and create misery for themselves back home.
in other words, tow the ZANU PF party line, ignor the rape and torture of your sisters, dont protest anything about the corrupt government and you'll be safe.
Otherwise the ZANU PF will make your life a misery.
African intellectuals must understand that Mister Obama is just a "black butler " sitting at the White House. According to Webster Tarpley, the author of "Obama, the Post Modern Coup", Obama is a puppet of Financial Capitalism with a "leftwing imperialist agenda".
An African-American President will definitely not change United States policy towards regimes that are considered hostile to its interests.
"Mister Yes You Can" is facing a lot of problems at home, and his approval rating is collapsing, therefore he should mind his own business instead of interfering in the domestic affairs of sovereign nations.
Obama can go to hell!!.He has become a shameless slave of that white supremacist regime in Washington DC.It's now crystal clear that Obama is becoming a George Bush reicarnation who is working to advance racist imperialist interests of the United States.The U.S gvt launched a vicious destabilization campaign against Zimbabwe a decade ago after President Mugabe's gvt decided to correct colonial injustices by redistributing land to the black indeginous majority.Britain and United States responded to this by creating instability in Zimbabwe using their puppet project-MDC and groups like WOZA,NCA,ZLHR in a bid to effect a regime change and install a puppet government led by the despicable western stooge-Tsvangirai that would subvert land redistribution and protect the western imperialist interets.Let's not forget that these are the same hypocritical americans who congratulated their stooge Hamid Khazai for stealing an Afghan election in broad daylight.These are also the same people who are mercillessly killing Iraqis, Palestinians and Afghans.The United States in its entire history has never supported any genuine african liberation movement,instead it supported racist,colonial oppressive regimes in Africa like Rhodesia under Ian Smith, Apatheid and many others.Americans also created,controlled and financed counter-revolutionary movements like RENAMO,UNITA,MDC etc.Therefore,only a pathetic lunatic will take these americans seriously when they harp about democracy,human rights, good governance etc.
Simba you sound rather stupid in your write up,why do you not see whats in your face,running a country is not about about looting from and killing the same people you claim to care about,If the leadership in Zimbabwe was sane ,why would the people be fleeing in all directions to a point of dying in SOUTH AFRICA to work for same`White man you hate in Zimbabwe?Its because he knows blaming every one for your failures does not put food in shops and pay wages and support the economy,all ways know intelligence is superior to education.Tsangson is intelligent and bob is educated to speak English and that does not butter anyone's bread,As Robert Nester Marley said they all know about it(including farming) but they just can't do it.How do you live in your home , when there is hunger every where,turn a blind eye and blame the west,they the reason the new farmers are framing via cell phone and selling winter diesel to have a braai and using money for inputs to buy new cars or is it they should recolonize and teach you how to share and to be responsible for your selves and not behave like savages.
Simarashe, I'm disappointed in you I really though you were an intelligent Zimbabeni. Please spare us from such old worn out and nonsensical arguements. What I care about what happens in Zimbabe. Now which America that controlled the Gukurahundi murderes, which Amereca brought terror, lawlessnes, human right violations, corruption and theft.
Which america promotes tribalism and racism in Zimbabe, which America looted and distroyed the economy in Zimbabwe. I pity you work up during Ian Smith the average life span in Zimbabe was 60 and now a mere 34, all thanks to your paymasters. Its just that you and your lot are so primitive you do not understand matter matters of national accountability. Go on decieving yourself but remeber that there is one big difference between
America and Zimbabe: 1) America has the rule of law and Zimbabwe has the law of the jungle. So deal with your country and remove the need for Magodonga and others having to go to America to receive awards for standing up to geriatic despots Magodonga you are our heroine. We sulte you.
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