Social media was abuzz in support of a planned march on Saturday, in Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare, calling for leadership that will “relieve the suffering endured” by the nation under President Robert Mugabe.
On Saturday morning and Friday night, the hashtags “Arise Zimbabwe”, “Mugabe must go”, and “Fresh start” saw a flood of tweets worldwide from people supporting the march and people rallying others to stand together.
The Zimbabwe solidarity march is reportedly expected to start at 8 am at the Zimbabwe Grounds in Highfields, gathering at 4th Street bus terminus in Harare CBD at around 9 am, before moving to the Statehouse.
In a banner circulated on social media messenger application WhatsApp, Zimbabweans are called to “arise Zimbabwe arise” for the march that will start at 10 am in Freedom Square in the capital.
On Saturday morning, Twitter user @Kimmo_Santana tweeted: “Today is a big day for Zimbabweans all over the world #freshstart.”
While @Staera_Ndini tweeted: “So I have 1. flat shoes on; 2. backpack with water; 3. whistle in my neck; 4. Zim flag tied in one hand; 5. my iPhone 100% charged for the memories; [and] 6. A #MugabeMustGo placard. It’s #FreedomDay in #Zimbabwe ladies and gentlemen…leggo!”
Some users also mentioned the unity amongst Zimbabweans.
Twitter user @shaddy_mud1 tweeted: “#Zimbabwe has never been so united. This is a defining moment for our future. Let’s not see colour or ideology our country is ours let us all stand together for the greater good #freshstart #freshZimbabwe.”
While @Mavis73658076 took to Twitter and said: “so proud to be Zimbabwean right now #freshstart # betterfutureforourchildren.”
People took the opportunity to call on others to rally behind the march.
User @blessmunyuki said: “I’m going to march today in solidarity with fellow Zimbabweans for a fresh start in Zimbabwe…are you?”
A march is also planned in Johannesburg, South Africa, is solidarity with the march in Harare. The march will take place at the Zimbabwean Consulate in Bedfordview in the east, at 10 am
Some Twitter users took the opportunity to ask others to join the march.
User, @DougColtart tweeted: “Citizens, let’s turn our in our numbers tomorrow to shape the future of Zimbabwe. We want a new Zimbabwe, let’s play a part in bringing it about!” to his 30,000 followers.
User @blackpearl263 called on Zimbabweans to fight for their freedom, saying: “It is our duty to fight for our freedom. It is our duty to win. #IamWalkingForFreedom. #freshstart #Twimbos #MugabeMustGo”.
While @thejustinevans said: “Tomorrow is a defining day in Zimbabwe’s history. It’s time. #MugabeMustGo #FreshStart”.
Twitter user @tenni_sista called on Zimbabweans in other countries to join the march, saying: “Zimbabweans all over the world should come out and peacefully protest outside their embassy”.
Marches have been planned in other countries in solidarity with the main march in Harare.
According to Twitter user @povozim, there is a march planned in Windhoek, Namibia at the Zimbabwean embassy from 10 am to noon.
While @AliceChigumira mobilised Zimbabweans in Cape Town and the United Kingdom, saying: “Calling all to those in UK #Zimbabwe and their friends in London tomorrow please support #HumanRights if you believe it #AriseZimbabwe #Zimbabwe diaspora marches in solidarity with Harare march. =>Ireland Belfast City Hall at 10 am; =>Cape Town – Grand parade; [and] =>London Zim Embassy then Trafalgar Square”.
Another Twitter user posted that the march in London would take place from 11 am to 6 pm at the Zimbabwean embassy.
One Twitter user indicated that he was trying to organise a march in Toronto, Canada.
More details were not immediately available and African News Agency (ANA) could not confirm the marches in other countries.
However, not everyone was in support of the planned march.
Twitter user @InnoKamutando tweeted: “#mugabemustgo I appeal to all not to go for the demonstration tomorrow and edge the organizers to cancel the demo its a very wong move plizz (sic)”.
Another user said the march was a waste of time, @sahrtengbeh tweeted: “Wasting your time. This is Africa. You remove leaders via the ballot box. They don’t leave because you protest”
The Zimbabwean military said it would allow a mass march in the country’s capital. In a statement on Friday, the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) informed the nation that in respect of freedom of expression and movement it would fully support the march planned for Saturday morning.
On Wednesday, the ZDF seized control of state television ZBC and said it is acting against “criminals” surrounding 93-year-old Mugabe.
The head of the defence forces, General Constantino Chiwenga, warned the army would take “drastic action” if factions in the ruling Zanu-PF did not stop purges against party members with military backgrounds.
On Friday, Chris Mutsvangwa, a leader of Zimbabwe’s veterans of the war against British colonial rule, said Mugabe’s rule was about to end.
– African News Agency (ANA),
