Zimbabwean immigrants wait to be deported from the Lindela Repatriation Centre outside Johannesburg in this August 22, 2007 file photo.By Abel Dzobo
While Zimbabwe is reeling from a massive brain drain that has almost crippled he engineering, medical and teaching sectors, among others, the tide is set to increase as University students are set to leave in droves.
They said that even the xenophobia attacks that once ravaged South Africa will not deter them from seeking their Eldorado as they want to maximise on their four years of grueling study by finding employment where they would afford high living standards. A survey by the writer of this story of students in their fourth year and final semester at Midlands University in Gweru revealed that 90 percent of them have set their sights on lush pastures across the border. Of the 50 students studied in this survey, 45 of them, that is, 90 percent, said that they are definitely going into the Diaspora. 6 percent said that they would not be going anywhere due to family commitments (members of child-headed families) while 4 percent said they believed Zimbabwe still had a lot to offer for entrepreneurs.
“Ten years ago one could buy a bed, stove and a televison set using one salary, but now if you work in Zimbabwe you may never buy all that for the rest of your life. You find that commuting to work costs more than your salary,” an Accounting student said.
A Media and Society studies student said that she was leaving such that she could make up for the torture of her four year degree period.
“It was four years of suffering, characterised by hunger, lack of money, queues for mealie-meal and other basic commodities. I also want an enabling environment where I can pursue my career and advance my studies,” she said.
A male student, giggling shyly, noted that he wanted to marry in a year’s time and wanted to raise money, thus had to cross the border.
“I want to marry next year, my fiancé and I have been in love for the past four years. If I stay here, I will never amass the money needed to pay lobola and also wedding expenses,” he said.
High inflation, unemployment rate over 70 percent and an unprecedented market distortion that has seen teachers, nurses and most of formal employees living like paupers are reasons that have solidified the resolve in the youngsters to jump ship.
Those in informal employment have become rich overnight, a list that includes black market basic goods peddlers, street forex dealers and illegal miners (makorokoza), while their “highbrow” counterparts are bonded in a vicious circle of poverty. Although talks are underway to thaw MDC-ZANU PF stalemate, the respondents are of the view that it would still take more time for Zimbabwe to canter on an even keel. Possible destinations cited during the interview are Botswana, South Africa, Malawi, UK and Australia.
A study undertaken by the Scientific and Industrial Research and Development Centre (SIRDC) in 2003 found out that 479,348 skilled personnel had left the country. SIRDC further pointed out that most Zimbabweans who had left the country since 1990 had gone to the United Kingdom (36.8 percent), Botswana (34.5 percent) and South Africa. South African government minister recently said there were two million Zimbabweans living in South Africa - Joyce Dube of the South African Women’s Institute for Migration Affairs estimates the figure to be even higher, around three million.
The Zimbabwe Diaspora Civic Society Organisations (CSO) Forum, a coalition of about 40 Diaspora based Zimbabwean civil society organisations in South Africa, whose chairperson is Daniel Molokele, has been formed to represent Zimbabweans in the Diaspora.
While Zimbabwe is reeling from a massive brain drain that has almost crippled he engineering, medical and teaching sectors, among others, the tide is set to increase as University students are set to leave in droves.
They said that even the xenophobia attacks that once ravaged South Africa will not deter them from seeking their Eldorado as they want to maximise on their four years of grueling study by finding employment where they would afford high living standards. A survey by the writer of this story of students in their fourth year and final semester at Midlands University in Gweru revealed that 90 percent of them have set their sights on lush pastures across the border. Of the 50 students studied in this survey, 45 of them, that is, 90 percent, said that they are definitely going into the Diaspora. 6 percent said that they would not be going anywhere due to family commitments (members of child-headed families) while 4 percent said they believed Zimbabwe still had a lot to offer for entrepreneurs.
“Ten years ago one could buy a bed, stove and a televison set using one salary, but now if you work in Zimbabwe you may never buy all that for the rest of your life. You find that commuting to work costs more than your salary,” an Accounting student said.
A Media and Society studies student said that she was leaving such that she could make up for the torture of her four year degree period.
“It was four years of suffering, characterised by hunger, lack of money, queues for mealie-meal and other basic commodities. I also want an enabling environment where I can pursue my career and advance my studies,” she said.
A male student, giggling shyly, noted that he wanted to marry in a year’s time and wanted to raise money, thus had to cross the border.
“I want to marry next year, my fiancé and I have been in love for the past four years. If I stay here, I will never amass the money needed to pay lobola and also wedding expenses,” he said.
High inflation, unemployment rate over 70 percent and an unprecedented market distortion that has seen teachers, nurses and most of formal employees living like paupers are reasons that have solidified the resolve in the youngsters to jump ship.
Those in informal employment have become rich overnight, a list that includes black market basic goods peddlers, street forex dealers and illegal miners (makorokoza), while their “highbrow” counterparts are bonded in a vicious circle of poverty. Although talks are underway to thaw MDC-ZANU PF stalemate, the respondents are of the view that it would still take more time for Zimbabwe to canter on an even keel. Possible destinations cited during the interview are Botswana, South Africa, Malawi, UK and Australia.
A study undertaken by the Scientific and Industrial Research and Development Centre (SIRDC) in 2003 found out that 479,348 skilled personnel had left the country. SIRDC further pointed out that most Zimbabweans who had left the country since 1990 had gone to the United Kingdom (36.8 percent), Botswana (34.5 percent) and South Africa. South African government minister recently said there were two million Zimbabweans living in South Africa - Joyce Dube of the South African Women’s Institute for Migration Affairs estimates the figure to be even higher, around three million.
The Zimbabwe Diaspora Civic Society Organisations (CSO) Forum, a coalition of about 40 Diaspora based Zimbabwean civil society organisations in South Africa, whose chairperson is Daniel Molokele, has been formed to represent Zimbabweans in the Diaspora.
1 comment:
hello abel
please note that there are several new developments pertaining the network in SA
It now has a new name and a new chairperson altogether
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