Blessings of shalom for 2009! I have just come back from a four week visit to Zimbabwe. As I have mentioned before, for me the Zimbabwean people are the heroes in the midst of extremely challenging times, economically, politically, and socially.
Inflation is estimated at around quintillion percent (18 zeros!). To meet the challenge of this mind-boggling, ever-rising inflation, the government continues to print new money bills with higher denominations, e.g. Z$1 million (there is talk of a new Z$1 billion note). Banks don’t have enough money and are forced to impose withdrawal limits on their clients. With prices going up on a daily basis, the withdrawal limits force people to withdraw money everyday. Many sleep overnight outside banks.
This financial crisis has resulted in the “dollarization” of the economy where the U.S. dollar has become the main currency used for most transactions, including purchase of basic food stuff. The U.S. dollar is used in conjunction with currencies from neighboring countries such as the Botswana Pula and South African Rand. This has brought some form of stability, but the irony is that workers are not paid in U.S. dollars, Pula. or Rand! This money comes from remittances from Zimbabweans working outside the country and circulates among citizens. There is a high level of money literacy where people are able to operate efficiently within the different currencies.
The tragedy is that there are many who have no regular income, are unable to access foreign currency, and continue to suffer. It was so hard for me to listen to families telling me of their struggle to live; some go for days without food and others can only manage one meal a day. Ways of survival include working in exchange for food and clothing. I saw a group of young boys (aged around 10) filling up potholes along a strip of road and holding out their hands to passing motorists -– they were laughing and playing as they filled the potholes –- their efforts were rewarded by grateful motorists who gave them money!
One of the advantages of being in South Africa is that I am able to give and make a difference in the lives of a few families. It helps to break the overwhelming paralysis that I often experience when I think of the situation in Zimbabwe.
However, not all is depressing. The onset of the rainy season has brought hope, and many have planted maize and other crops. Shortage of seed has been a major problem for farmers. Residents living in cities are allocated vacant land to plant their crops. The efforts of UNICEF, World Vision, and other donors have contributed to education and control of cholera outbreak. December continues to be a month busy with social activities, especially weddings. Every December, we receive at least two wedding invitations! One wedding that was the talk of the town was between Bongani, son of one of the leaders of the opposition parties in Zimbabwe, and Ntokozo, daughter of Jacob Zuma, the president of the ANC (South Africa)! Political implications? We will wait and see!
The political impasse continues. There are voices within the region that feel that Zimbabwean citizens are not doing enough and are waiting for someone else to liberate them. The perception of ‘passiveness’ of Zimbabweans fails to recognize their commitment to use the ballot box as an instrument of political change. Violence is not an option. It is politicians who refuse to acknowledge the will of the people through the ballot box that must be held accountable. The political climate remains uncertain and unpredictable. The latest news is that Mugabe has gone on a month’s leave and has promised that on his return in early February, he will form a new government. Your prayers during this time are requested. Thank you for your support last year, and please continue to journey with us. God bless.
Nontando Hadebe, a former Sojourners intern, is originally from Zimbabwe and is now pursuing graduate studies in theology in South Africa.
