Zimbabwe’s failure to hold credible elections will likely not only cement our northern neighbour’s pariah status but also trigger a fresh exodus of disillusioned citizens in search of greener pastures.
The economic hardships at home, driven by hyper inflation, higher interest rates and a grinding economic crisis, are simply too much to bear. In short, it’s a crisis of dignity that is likely to see embattled Zimbabweans vote with their feet in search of a better life.
And who can blame them?
Some people canvassed by TimesLIVE after the contested poll returned President Emmerson Mnangagwa to power for a second term, along with Zanu-PF, are already weighing up their options.
Wellington Chitembu, a 43-year-old civil servant is one of them, whose salary barely supports his three children. “I have never been so certain about leaving Zimbabwe as l am now,” he explained.
“I am leaving for dignity because as a man l should be able to look after my family and give them a better life. I want to rid my family of this poverty. I have family members in South Africa, I want a good future for my children and across the border l am certain l will find it.”
I have held on until now and no longer can. I have to leave. There is no future here. I wake up every day feeling hopeless. I want to give a good life to my little girls, but if l remain in this country it won’t happen.
— Tererayi Chisomba, 34
Mother of two, Tererayi Chisomba, 34, has a university degree but plans to sell everything and relocate to the UK to work as a caregiver.
“I have held on until now and no longer can. I have to leave. There is no future here. I wake up every day feeling hopeless. I want to give a good life to my little girls, but if l remain in this country it won’t happen,” she said.
Margaret, 28, who wanted to use only her first name because she doesn’t have a passport or a final destination, simply said “there is no life in Zimbabwe” and she has “never had a job”.
“l am leaving because l want to be able to look after myself. My parents are struggling and l can’t continue to burden them to look after me and my siblings. It’s better to go, find a job and send money back to my parents.”
She has a friend living in Johannesburg who offered to help find work. “I know going without papers or a passport is dangerous, but l am willing take my chances. I will go through the Limpopo River, risking my life to the crocodiles and police.”
South Africa will be viewed by many as an attractive destination to escape the hardships encountered in Zimbabwe.
One can only pray that cool heads prevail over the disputed election results in the coming days. Some are calling for the establishment of a transitional government in Zimbabwe. Others have called for protests and a re-run of the poll.
Cool heads will also be needed if people desperately seeking better economic opportunities make a beeline for South Africa.
The last thing we need is a backlash fuelled by xenophobia.
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