Britain Zimbabwe Society (BZS)

PRESS RELEASE 13 SEPTEMBER 2006

Raymond Majongwe, one of the speakers invited to address the forth-coming Open Forum on Zimbabwe, has been refused an entry visa for the UK. Organisers of the event learned about the visa refusal from Majongwe`s organisation, the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ), on Friday and are deeply concerned by the decision.

Raymond Majongwe, who has frequently come into conflict with authorities in Zimbabwe, was due to address the UK forum on issues such as the need for skills in the promotion of democratic governance, human rights and socio-economic recovery in Zimbabwe. For the UK authorities to deny such a prominent civic leader the chance to be heard seems totally counterproductive.

The rationale behind the refusal is unclear as Raymond`s circumstances are very similar to those of other invited speakers who have been granted a visa. Whatever the reasons, his contribution to the debate on skills and reconstruction in Zimbabwe will be sorely missed by many in the diaspora.

Open Forum 2006, which will take place at University of London Union, Malet Street, London WC1 on Saturday 16th, is the third in a popular series of networking events held annually in the UK. The Open Forum brings civic leaders and commentators from Zimbabwe to analyse and debate key issues with Zimbabweans and the wider Southern African community in the UK. This year’s forum will focus on the loss of skills in the diaspora, especially in the health and education sectors as well as the wastage of human resources through inappropriate employment, the flight of urgently needed skills from Zimbabwe and the potential of the diaspora to promote and support reconstruction.

Back Story:- Similar line-ups of civic players from Zimbabwe, the region and the wider international constituency of support have spearheaded previous Open Forums. In 2004 Moeletsi Mbeki director of one of South Africa's leading television production companies and Thoko Matshe, women’s activist and former National Constitutional Assembly chair were amongst those who addressed a debate on the relationship between Zimbabwe and South Africa and last year author and academic, Elinor Sisulu joined Ahmed Motala, Director of the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation in South Africa, in contributing to a discussion on supporting human rights in Zimbabwe.

For further information email zimforum2006@yahoo.co.uk

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