FROM THE ZIMBABWE VIGIL

The former Archbishop of Cape Town and Nobel laureate Desmond Tutu has asked for forgiveness on behalf of South Africa for the recent xenophobic violence against foreigners. He was speaking on Monday, 9th June, at St Martin in the Fields, the famous London church on Trafalgar Square, where he blessed three Zimbabwean sculptures which have been positioned near a room named in his honour. Archbishop Tutu recalled that South Africans had taken refuge in other African countries during the apartheid years and said the attacks on foreigners were unacceptable. But on the positive side, South Africans had been horrified and many had been wonderful in offering help to the victims.

Turning to Zimbabwe, Archbishop Tutu said it used to be a showpiece in Africa: “It has now turned into the most horrendous nightmare”. He called for a peacekeeping force to be sent to Zimbabawe and advised Mugabe: “How about stepping down? Oppression will not have the last word. Freedom will come to Zimbabwe.” Archbishop Tutu accepted a copy of a petition from the Zimbabwe Vigil which has been protesting outside the Zimbabwe Embassy every Saturday for the past 6 years. The petition calls on President Mbeki of South Africa to stop supporting Mugabe and allow a change of government in Zimbabwe so Zimbabwean exiles can return home.

The petition was presented by Chipo Chaya and Arnold Kuwewa of the Vigil management team. The pettion proper is to be presented to the South African High Commission at a demonstration by the Zimbabwe Vigil on Thursday 12th June from 12 noon to 2 pm. The Archbishop was introduced to the crowded assembly by the Reverend Nicholas Holtam who recalled the days when there was a vigil outside South Africa House against the apartheid regime. Now, he said, it had been replaced by the Vigil outside Zimbabwe House.

For photos of the event check: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/.

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 by the current regime 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