Visit us on Facebook

Please visit and Like our Zimbabwe Canadian Support Group page 

on Facebook. 

You can also follow us on Twitter handle @ZimbosinCanada here.

Together we are stronger! 

You Are Invited: Men's Night Out Community Event

We are pleased to share this invitation with you to an event for men of all ages in our community, Men's Night Out. 

Reputable speakers will make presentations and then lead discussions on important issues affecting our community in their areas of expertise. These include mental health issues, funeral policies (what will happen when you die?), developing an entrepreneur mindset, and dealing with unresolved conflict. 

• Date: Saturday, March 4th, 2017 
• Time: 5:30 pm 
• Venue: Common Room, 3077 Lakeshore Blvd West, Etobicoke M8V 1K7
• Food: A traditional Zimbabwe meal will be served for $15 per person (cow foot, tripe, oxtail, samoosas etc). Bring your own favorite drink. 

• Please RSVP: text (647) 703-4472 for catering purposes. 

Men, let us meet to discuss and share ideas that can make us more effective in leading our families, friends and even workmates. Together we can share professional knowledge, share ideas and learn from each other. 

Ladies, please encourage your male partners/friends to attend. Please share and invite others.  

We are stronger together. 

Human Rights Complaint: Join The Fight Against Racism In Our Schools

Despite denials and lack of adequate publicity, black children continue to face racism and other forms of discrimination in our school system. Sadly in 2014 a Zimbabwean-Canadian student, PJ Makuto. was severely beaten at Sutton school in a case that made headline news. 

Our team has been giving support and kept in constant contact with the Vaughan African Canadian Association  (VACA) since that incident occurred. VACA has met with the school board for over 10 years regarding incidents of racism against black children.    There have been several articles and news reports lately regarding the York Region District School Board (YRDSB) and the Minister of Education, Mitzie Hunter has expressed her outrage regarding Islamaphobia and anti-black racism.

After the Sutton school incident involving PJ Makuto, no changes were made, and no one followed up with requests for change. Minister Hunter released a statement a few weeks ago that stated her dismay at the Board.  

On Friday, December  2nd, a press conference was held in Toronto to announce a Human Rights complaint has been filed against the Board.  Your Zimbabwe Canadian Support Group is one of the coalition partners supporting VACA in fighting against racism and the measures now in process. 

This is where you come in. VACA is need of the support of our community.  They are looking for lawyers, human rights lawyers, activists and families who will stand and fight this cause with them for the benefit of our black community.  They are also looking for any families from Zimbabwe or other African communities living in York Region who have experienced incidents of racism based on religion, culture, ethnicity or race who would like advice on their options to seek justice. 

Please contact Shernett Martin, Executive Director, at 386 333-1242 or by emailat vaca@rogers.com if you can help or your children have been affected by racism in the schools under the York Region District School Board.

Together, we are stronger. 

Canada Ends Moratorium on Deportations To Zimbabwe

On December 1, 2014, the Federal government announced an end to the moratorium on deportations to Zimbabwe and Haiti. This unfortunate move leaves many people without status in our community vulnerable to deportation for various reasons, including 348 failed refugee claimants from Zimbabwe. Any one affected has six months to apply for permanent residency based on humanitarian grounds.

I am pleased to inform you that we have been approached by one of Canada's largest social justice organisations and also have information on a virtual meeting with the Canadian Council for Refugees that you can attend. Their two separate initiatives will help our community to understand and address this change.

1. The Canadian Council for Refugees will be having a teleconference/virtual meeting for the general public this Saturday January 17th, 2015 which you may join to obtain further details and hear from experts about options if you are affected. Time: 3 pm EST in English. You will need a computer and internet connection to participate in the webinar. If you are interested please register here
2. A leading social justice organisation in Canada has sent us a proposal to organise a public protest supporting the right of those affected to be granted permanent residency. They will mobilise and coordinate their members and the general public to join the march. However Zimbabweans would need to spearhead the effort, speak at the protest, and help to organize the event. If you are interested in participating or organising this event with them, please contact us by email atzimcasso@gmail.com with your name and telephone number. Every law abiding Zimbabwean deserves a chance to stay permanently in Canada, despite their circumstances, and no one is "illegal."

We also advise all those affected to seek legal advise as soon as possible before the six months expires. If you feel the Zimbabwe Canadian Support Group can help you in any way, please do not hesitate to contact us directly at zimcasso@gmail.com. 

You can obtain more information on the lifting of the moratorium and answers to Frequently Asked Questions here

Let us offer support to those affected as one family. United we stand.

Gospel Tour: Zimbabwe Artists Are Coming To Canada this Summer

Zimbabwe has some of the best and most inspirational gospel music in the world.

Stamcan Promotions and Jambs Multimedia will be presenting gospel music festivals this summer in Canada featuring 6 top Zimbabwean gospel artists:

• Machanic Manyeruke
• Lloyd Tevedzai
• Bethen Pasinawako
• Primrose Njewa
• Wellington Kwenda
• Tembalami 

Toronto :  June 21, Rhema Christian Ministries, 40 Carl Road Doors open 4:30 pm, show starts 5:30 pm -  $35 Adults and $15 kids

Other Cities;

    Vancouver May 31, Shannon Hall, - 4050A 176 St, Surrey

    Edmonton, June 7, Hellenic Centre - 10450 - 116 St NW

    Calgary, June 13, Parkside UC - 2919 - 8 Ave NW, Calgary

    Winnipeg, June 14, Immanuel FC -  479 St Mary Rd, Winnipeg

    Montreal, June 28, Sorrento - 1275 Dollard Ave, La Salle 

You can watch some of the music from these artists here;

PRIMROSE NJEWA

Sungano

TEMBELAMI

LLOYD TEVEDZAI

Bata Ruoko Rwangu

WELLINGTON KWENDA

Tinodiwa NaJesu

5) BETHANY PASINAWAKO

Anotida

MACHANIC MANYERUKE

Nyika Yakanaka 

For further details please contact the organizers directly:

Joe Kundishora
Stamcan PromotionsStamcan@yahoo.com
416-689-9006

Like Us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

March in the Lions International Parade, July 5th, Toronto

We have been contacted by members of the African diplomatic community in Ottawa to invite you to participate in a Lions Club 'Parade of Nations' on Saturday, July 5th, at 10:00 am. This will be during the Lions Club International Annual Convention in Toronto. 

The parade will take place on University Avenue in Toronto - from Queen's Park, south to Queen Street. With 14,000 Lions members currently registered to attend the convention, at least 10 000 people are expected to march in the parade.

They are looking for volunteers to participate. If the marchers are of high-school age, they will be able to offer them community service hours. There will also be a small token of appreciation for their service from Lion Jean.  Lion Jean Mathanga is the incoming District Governor for Lions District 412 - Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Botswana. We understand the outgoing president, Charles Zvobgo, will also attend the convention.

If you and\or your kids are interested in this international parade, please contact Lion Duane Malcolm, President of the Tillsonburg Lions Club at duanemalcolm@hotmail.com as soon as possible. 

We encourage you to join us as we continue to work with other organisations in Canada for the benefit of our community.

United we stand!

Stand up against Racism and Hate: Support the Makuto Family

As you may have seen recently on TV, newspapers and online media, PJ Makuto was viciously assaulted by four assailants in a racially motivated hate crime at Sutton District High School. He is the 17 year old son of Charles and Desiree Makuto. 

     

As a community, we cannot afford to stand by and watch this atrocity at the sidelines and carry on with business as usual. Our children are under attack. Many social justice organisations are rallying around the family to offer support and help the family to fight for justice. We are now calling upon you, our Zimbabwe Canadian community, to join these efforts. 

Here are concrete ways in which you can help:

• Attend the court case: The court case will begin next week, May 15th, at the Newmarket Couthouse, 50 Eagle Street W, L3Y 6B1 905-853-4801. We will send you the exact time next week.
• Call the school to express your outrage and request the expulsion of the students; Sutton District High School 905-722-3281
• Call the York Region District School Board 905-895-7216
• Call the Town of Georgina
• Call the School Superintendent for Georgina, Trustees, Board officials and Politicians
• Contact social-justice and equity-seeking groups for their support
• Spread the Word Get the word out by forwarding this email to your contacts.  Share and spread the story through Social media
• Contribute Financially; the family faces huge legal bills as they seek to get justice for their son and possibly lodge a Human Rights complaint. Please visit the fundraising page set up by the Vaughan African Canadian Association here
• Your Zimbabwe Canadian Support Group is also actively submitting letters of complaint and seeking to engage the authorities in order to express our outrage at this violent act.

If you wish to contact the family directly or wish to help in other ways, you may also call Mr Charles Makuto at 705-437-2677.

We will send further updates on this case as it evolves but please act on this, we have to do something for the safety and future of our children and our community.

United we Stand!

United Methodist Church Easter Conference

The Zimbabwe United Methodist Church Hamilton and Toronto would like to invite you to their  Easter Conference this Saturday April 19th in Hamilton. This will be a full day of worship. It will be held at 105 King Street East, Stony Creek, L8G 1L1. 

Time: 10 am - 10 pm.  

For further details please contact Mrs P Mutsikamahwe 647-262-9106 or Mrs R. Muzorewa at 705-321-6089 

The Women of Virtue Canada would like to invite all ladies to their Annual Conference May 16 - 18 in Hunstville, Ontario. Women of Virtue is an inter-denominational Christian organization.

The theme for this year's conference is Walk In the Spirit: UNLEASH the DIVINE Power Within.

A message from the organisers:

'We do believe that at this year's conference, God will use each session and activity to better equip us to understand who God has purposed us to be and the authority we possess as committed women of God. The Planning Committee has diligently been praying and working hard in putting together a program that will allow numerous opportunities to fellowship, pray and experience the powerful anointing of the Holy Spirit through worship and His Word.'

 

 

If you would like to attend, please contact Mrs Memory Mangwiro directly at 905-593-2370 or 647-894-5593 or email mmangwiro@gmail.com to register and make your payment.

 

 

Zimbabwe Independence Day Celebrations in Toronto April 19 2014

As Zimbabwe celebrates its 34th year of Independence this week, Moonraiser Entertainment are inviting  you to the following event on Saturday April 19th in Toronto

Zimbabwe Indepence Day Toronto 2014

Time for Elections after 2 Great Years of Growth and Achievement

After two years of sustained growth and high achievement for the current Board, it is time for the Zimbabwe Canadian Support Group to have our Annual General Meeting and Elections. This is stipulated in the rules and regulations of our constitution.

With your valuable support, we have achieved a lot in the Zimbabwe Canadian community in the past two years, including:

1. Providing valuable and timely information online to our community
2. Professional Networking events for our community
3. Insurance, Financial Planning, Homebuyers, Wills and Estates workshops
4. Bereavement Support
5. Strategic Plan
6. Participation in community forums and television show
7. Won awards for our work in the immigrant community
8. Building strategic alliances with the Kenyan Community
9. Building strategic alliances with Zimbabwean Canadian business community
10. Organizing summer social events at High Park
11. The first Zimbabwe Community Wasaga Beach Festival

We are grateful for your continuing support and the work of our outgoing Executive Board to make all these things possible since 2011.

This is your opportunity to join and serve a dynamic, non-political organisation that is committed to unite our community and make a difference. There is still more to be done to unite us and help uplift the lives of our community in Canada.

Here are details for this special meeting:

• Date:  Saturday November 2nd
• Time: 1:30 pm start
• Venue: Meeting Room 224 ABC, Northern District Public Library,  40 Orchard View Blvd, Toronto, ON, M4R 1B9 @Yonge and Eglinton
• TTC Directions: Get off at Eglinton subway station, walk 1 block north, on west side of Yonge Street.
• See Map 

Call for Nominations 

• Please let us know in advance if you wish to stand for election or nominate another member of good standing. Send an email to the Chairman, zimcasso@gmail.com with your name and telephone number by Wednesday, October 30th
• Our Executive Board is made up of 8 members who serve for a 2 Year term, renewable if elected. 2 members continue with the new board for continuity.
• Please note that only registered members who have paid the $10 joining fee can vote.
• Further details, financial statements and other pertinent information on the Support Group will be available at the meeting.

See you all on Saturday November 2nd

Thank You from our Chair Pastor Elliott Gwaza

Last Saturday, June 22nd, our community made history. Nearly 180 people, their families and friends, drove from Toronto, Hamilton, Oshawa, London, Brampton, Kitchener, St Catherine's and other cities in Ontario to Wasaga Beach for the first Zimbabwe Wasaga Beach Festival. We swam in the water, took boat rides, tubing, braai, we ate and drank together as one community. We played volleyball and other games, laughed and celebrated together on the beach. It was an amazing day for everyone.

 

We would like to thank you all for coming to Wasaga Beach and the care, love and respect that everyone showed for each other. We are grateful for your support and were humbled by the large turnout. 

 

Raffle Winners

• Congratulations to the Choto family, Darlington, Ivy and their daughter Sharlene, they won the barbecue 
• Congratulations to the Moyo family, Finch, Primrose and their daughter Vuyela, they won the Gift basket

We would like to extend our appreciation to the event planning committee for the event:

• Diana Mavunduse
• Thamsanqa Moyo
• Phenias Phiri
• Likwa Nkala
• Nozipho Moyo
• Xolisiwe Ndlovu
• Vusomuz Moyana
• All the ladies who served the food on site and the braai experts.

We are grateful for the support of the Zimbabwe Canadian business community and others who financed the event or supported the event with materials and their services:

• Memories of Africa - The South African Store
• Greenwill Security - Farai 
• Dr and Pastor Hanya
• Nozie Weddings and Events - Nozipho
• City Movers - Gift 
• Chiggy's Touch Salon - Patience
• Moonraiser Entertainment - TK and Eddie
• Punjab International
• Dumo Siziba Law Office
• Zimbabwe Association in Hamilton
• Kubantu - Edgar 
• Rollins Moyo
• Richard Kuzviwanza
• Phenias Phiri

Plans are already underway for other events and the second Zimbabwe Wasaga Beach Festival in the summer of 2014. 

 

If you are on Facebook, please LIKE our Facebook page here in order to stay informed and receive regular updates on Facebook.

 

We feel humbled and honored to serve this great community in the diaspora. Great things happen when a community comes together.

 

Thank you, tatenda, siyabonga.

 

Your servant

 

Rev Pastor Leo Elliot Gwaza

 

Chair

on behalf of the Board

 

The 2013 Wasaga Beach event is over but the spirit leaves on

What an incredible weekend.

We were stunned and humbled by the overwhelming turnout of the Zimbabwe Canadian community and friends at Wasaga Beach. Thank you. More exciting community events to come.

To receive timely updates and announcements follow us on Facebook here

Directions to Wasaga Beach and Where to Find us

 

 

Tomorrow, Saturday June 22 is the big day that we have all been waiting for, the first annual 

Zimbabwe Wasaga Beach Festival 

We look forward to seeing you at Wasaga Beach area 2 as we swim, ride on the boat, boat ski, water tube, play volleyball, tug of war, games, braai, eat and drink, raffles, and of course, laugh and dance* together as we build our community. Bring your family and friends. It is going to be a fun and very active day. 

 

Location at Wasaga Beach:

• We will be located in Beach Area 2 on the beach.
• Look for your people or a Zimbabwe flag if there are many people.
• Call 416-700-9437, 647-960-0743, 416-816-3109, 647-378-5735,  if you can't find us.

Directions from Toronto

• Here are the Google map directions from Toronto

Directions from Hamilton

• Here are the Google map Directions from Hamilton

Directions from London

• Here are the Google map directions from London

 

We are grateful to our Partners  in the Zimbabwe Canadian business community and others for their support.

Bring your own meat only as we share, eat and drink together potluck style. 

This is where we belong, what a great community.

 

 

 

 

 

Bus to Wasaga Beach Pick up point

 

 

  

Here is the location where you can board the bus to Wasaga Beach on Saturday

 

• TTC Finch subway station Parking lot\Passenger Pick up point.
• Finch station has Free parking on weekends for your car
• Right outside the subway station on Yonge, Yonge\Hendon
• :GPS - use this address opposite the parking lot to find it 5700 Yonge St, Toronto, ON, M2M 4K2 (On Hendon).
• If you get lost on the day or need any help call Diana 647-378-5735 or any of the numbers above.

 

Bus Tickets are still available if you wish to take our bus to Wasaga Beach and back. There is limited seating, get yoursNOW if you haven't!

 

You can buy bus tickets online at Eventbrite here 

 

OR Call any of the following people who are selling tickets:

• Likwa 416-816-3109
• Diana 647-378-5735
• Thamsanqa 416-881-3606
• Xoli 416-843-0984
• Phenias 416-880-8933
• Vuso 416-700-9437
•  OR Email zimcasso@gmail.com with your name and phone number, number of tickets, and we will call you.

What to expect

• Braai barbecue, Amawoso, Gochi Gochi
• Boat rides, boat skiing, boat tubing, swimming
• Beach volleyball, tug of war, games, live music*
• Raffles, 50/50 Draws and lots of prizes to be won!
• Free Burgers for the Kids
• Isitshwala, Sadza, salads, pop and water available
• Just bring your own meat only and enjoy!

Are you ready to get wet and enjoy the waves?  We look forward to seeing you and your family and friends next Saturday at Wasaga Beach.

 

 

 

Precious Moments - Your photo album

Do you treasure creating memorable life events for yourself,

your family and friends?

 

This is what your photo album might look like after next Saturday!

 

Enjoy and capture your precious moments with family and friends

 

Come and join us at the Zimbabwe Wasaga Beach Festival, 

Wasaga Beach area 2, Saturday June 22

 



 

Braai Barbecue, Amawoso, Gochi Gochi!

Boat rides, boat skiing, boat tubing, swimming

Beach volleyball, games, music

Raffles, 50/50 Draws and lots of prizes to be won!

Free Burgers for the Kids

Isitshwala, Sadza, salads, pop and water available

Live band music*

Just bring your own meat only and enjoy!

Questions or to buy tickets in person? Call (416) 700-9437 - (416) 816-3109 -

(647)-378-5735 Hamilton (289) -456-1512

 

 We are grateful to our Partners in the Zimbabwe Canadian business community

 

 



*8 Top Canadian bands will be having a Free live concerts on the beach the whole day a short distance from us. Wow! what a deal.