Vigil supporters were not surprised by the squirming of Zanu-PF when confronted by the reality of implementing the Global Political Agreement. We don’t think it came as a surprise to President Zuma either and we look to him to make Mugabe honour his word. Zuma must know that South Africa’s credibility is at stake. 

To underline Zimbabwe’s dependence on South Africa for freedom from tyranny we plan to mark the thirtieth anniversary of Zimbabwe’s Independence Day at our Vigil on 17^th April by placing candles on the steps of the South African High Commission. Our ‘lights for freedom’ will be carried there by groups of supporters at intervals during the Vigil. We hope to be joined at that Vigil by Lovemore Matombo – President of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, Irene Petras – Executive Director of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights and Gabriel Shumba – Executive Director of Zimbabwe Exiles Forum. The three will be attending a conference ‘Zimbabwe 30 years on: Rights, challenges and opportunities’ in London that day organised by Action for Southern Africa, the successor to the Anti-Apartheid Movement. ACTSA are encouraging their visitors to attend the Vigil from 4 pm. (See Events and Notices for more information about the ACTSA conference.) 

We are pleased to say that the equipment paid for by a generous donation to the Vigil from pupils at the Dolphin School in London has now been delivered to four schools in Zimbabwe selected by Vigil management team members. We earlier reported pupils and staff at Gwinyai Primary School (selected by Fungayi Mabhunu) were delighted to receive sports equipment and stationery.  Arnold Kuwewa’s brother delivered a package to Southerton Primary School and Arnold reports that there was a special assembly to celebrate the delivery. Moses Kandiyawo similarly reports that the Gumbo Primary School was delighted to receive the sports equipment and stationery. These three schools are in the Harare area but the fourth Baring Primary School is in Mutare. Again a special assembly was held.  The children of all four schools are very keen to make contact with the children of the Dolphin School and start penpal friendships.  The Vigil will get in touch with Steve Garvey the teacher who organised the donation to facilitate this. 

Other points:
·           Thanks to Sue Toft for standing in for Vigil Co-ordinator Rose Benton and to Kimpton Samkange and Reginald Gwasira for making sure the Vigil paraphernalia was delivered safely. 
·           The special Prayer Vigil for Zimbabwe outside the Zimbabwe Embassy on Sunday 4^th April (Easter Day) was attended by about 100 people. It took place after a procession from nearby St Martin-in-the-Fields with a big banner ‘Release (in Shona, Ndebele and English) Zimbabwe’. Vigil supporter Josephine Zhuga led the choir. Bishop Michael Doe who returned from Zimbabwe about 4 weeks ago talked about his ministry there.  He said the lockout of Anglicans from their churches was widespread affecting many large towns including Harare, Bulawayo, Mutare and Masvingo.  The funeral service for Bob Stumbles, the prominent Zimbabwean lawyer, had to be held in a school hall. 

For latest Vigil pictures check: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/. For the latest ZimVigil TV programme check the link at the top of the home page of our website.  For earlier ZimVigil TV programmes check:  http://www.zbnnews.com/home/firingline  

FOR THE RECORD: 114 signed the register. 

EVENTS AND NOTICES:
·       ‘Lights for Freedom’: Zimbabwe Independence – 30^th Anniversary. Saturday 17^th April.  Vigil supporters to place candles on the steps of the South African High Commission.
·       ‘Zimbabwe 30 years on: Rights, challenges and opportunities.’ ACTSA Independence Day Conference. Saturday 17^th April at 11.15 am. Venue: Unite, 128 Theobald’s Road, London WC1X 8TN. Speakers: Lovemore Matombo – President of Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, Irene Petras – Executive Director of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights and Gabriel Shumba – Executive Director of Zimbabwe Exiles Forum The conference will examine the country’s current challenges and opportunities for the future from a diaspora, trade union and human rights perspective.
·       Swaziland Vigil. Saturdays 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. For more information check: www.swazilandvigil.co.uk.
·       Zimbabwe Association’s Women’s Weekly Drop-in Centre. Fridays 10.30 am – 4 pm. Venue: The Fire Station Community and ICT Centre, 84 Mayton Street, London N7 6QT, Tel: 020 7607 9764. Nearest underground: Finsbury Park. For more information contact the Zimbabwe Association 020 7549 0355 (open Tuesdays and Thursdays).
·       Strategic Internship for Zimbabweans organised by Citizens for Sanctuary which is trying to secure work placements for qualified Zimbabweans with refugee status or asylum seekers. For information: http://www.citizensforsanctuary.org.uk/pages/Strategic.html or contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .