By Kudzai Makuku

Every year on 25th October, Zimbabweans living in the United Kingdom come together with their brothers and sisters back home and across the SADC region to call for the removal of illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe. This annual day of solidarity is more than a symbolic gesture ,it is a powerful reminder that Zimbabweans, wherever they are in the world, remain united in the fight for justice, dignity, and national progress.

This year will be no exception. Once again, UK-based Zimbabweans are preparing to raise their voices and stand proudly for their homeland.

For more than two decades, these sanctions have done nothing to achieve their intended political goals. Instead, they have punished the ordinary people of Zimbabwe, cutting off opportunities and undermining livelihoods across the nation.

The illegal sanctions which they claim to be targeted measures but infact a collective punishment stifling the economy, discouraging investment, and isolating Zimbabwe from international trade and development.

The effects are clear for all to see ,hospitals struggling with shortages, businesses closing their doors, and young people losing hope for a better future. The sanctions created poverty and suffering.

These measures have not hurt leaders, but the people. They have weakened communities, broken families, and held back an entire generation. It is now beyond doubt that the sanctions have achieved nothing but pain.

In response to this injustice, many Zimbabweans in the UK have chosen not to sit back and watch. They have organised petitions to 10 Downing Street, held constructive meetings with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), and staged peaceful demonstrations outside the American Embassy in London.

These actions reflect a powerful truth , that love for Zimbabwe does not fade with distance. The unity and determination shown by Zimbabweans abroad is a source of pride and a symbol of patriotism. It shows the world that, no matter where we live, we remain bound by our shared identity and our deep desire to see our nation prosper.

This year, the community will once again gather at the American Embassy to deliver a detailed petition highlighting the devastating effects of the sanctions on ordinary people. It will be a peaceful but firm statement , a reminder that the people of Zimbabwe deserve respect, fairness, and the right to determine their own future without external interference.

While the Government of Zimbabwe continues its diplomatic efforts to rebuild international relationships and promote engagement, the Zimbabwean diaspora in the UK plays a vital supporting role. By raising awareness and promoting dialogue, we help to strengthen Zimbabwe’s image as a nation of peace, resilience, and potential.

This year’s event is not only a call for the end of sanctions ,it is also a celebration of Zimbabwean unity. It demonstrates that wherever we may live, we remain part of one family, one nation, and one shared dream of a prosperous Zimbabwe.

To every Zimbabwean in the United Kingdom ,Now is the time to come together. Let your presence be felt and your voice be heard. Join your fellow countrymen and women on 25th October as we stand proudly for Zimbabwe and for justice.

Let us show the world that the sanctions have failed to achieve anything meaningful ,except to cause unnecessary suffering. Let us make it clear that Zimbabwe is ready for a new chapter built on hope, opportunity, and equality.

Together, we can send one united message ,It is time for these illegal sanctions to go. Zimbabwe must be free to grow, to trade, and to prosper once again.