Zimbabwe holds on to fragile hope

By Munyaradzi Makoni

As the bus leaves the last immigration check point at the Beitbridge border post into Zimbabwe, a South African customs official flags it down and gets in. He waves an open palm, shouting: “Change, change” — the slogan of the anti-Mugabe Movement for Democratic Change (MCD) and nobody responds. He weaves a clenched fist in the air shouting viva Zanu-PF, Robert Mugabe’s ruling party. No cheers either. As he turns to get out, someone quips: “We don’t care about politics anymore, we only care about God.”

The official does not stop, but the message is loud enough. This is the palpable feeling of ordinary Zimbabweans who have endured all forms of harsh suffering in the past six years.

Even as pot-holes on the major and small township roads in the country remain unrepaired, Zimbabwe seems to be slowly rising again from the brink. The unmaintained infrastructure constantly betrays that all is not well, but the visible numbers of heavily emaciated people are shrinking, especially in the cities where access to foreign money is easier.

“There are times in 2008 when you prayed that you would not fall sick, knowing you would simply die. Those were the days of cholera outbreak,” said Joylene Kamhando.

When the coalition government was formed in February 2009, it offered a new hope for Zimbabwe, which was economically at a stand-still. Though the unity pact was fraught with fights over control of money and government positions, it brought sanity to political and economic governance.

The adoption as official currency of the US dollar and the rand in April enabled people to trade and to keep some companies afloat. While many manufactures have closed shop, many businesses involved with selling basic goods and eateries have sprouted. From toiletries to canned beer from South Africa, supermarket shelves are now full.

Still, the fuel shortages have not completely disappeared, and the money is not easy to get. Most civil servants earn an average of US$150 a month. The majority of the 80% jobless are driving the informal sector.

While there is the promise of better times in Zimbabwe, the improvements are perceived by many to be marginal.

Jesuit Father Oskar Wermter, for example, pointed out that the current changes in the country are largely due to charitable gifts from foreign donors. Hospitals are working again because donors pay staff, schools continue working as donors help and parents pay extra contributions to add to teachers’ low salaries. But many parents cannot afford this, said Fr Wermter, the former social communications secretary for the Zimbabwean Catholic Bishops’ Conference.

“The economy as a whole is still down. Farms are still being invaded, agriculture is still not very productive. Unemployment is still extremely high, so most people rely on street vending — though the police may arrest them — or by cross border trading to neighbouring countries,” said Fr Wermter

He insisted that “big money” from the international community will come only if the rule of law and respect for human rights are restored, the media are free and unfettered debate on the new constitution can take place.

The priest was not hopeful: “As long as the ruling party remains in control, there is little hope.”