19 February 2009
Johannesburg — Zimbabweans call it the "Diaspora" - the flight of its citizens to neighbouring states and even further afield to such countries as Britain and Australia to escape their country's collapse.
There are no accurate figures of the numbers involved, but it is estimated that more than three million people, from a population of 12 million, have left Zimbabwe in the past decade as inflation spiralled into the trillions of percent and unemployment rose to 94 percent.
Money earned by those in the diaspora - estimated to be in excess each year of Zimbabwe's best ever annual tobacco harvest, once the primary foreign currency earner - has been remitted to relatives at home.
The demise of Zimbabwe's economy - at one time the region's largest after South Africa - and the skills that drove it, are but some of the consequences. Incidents of xenophobia have increased in the region, and a cholera epidemic that has killed thousands is said to have its epicentre in Zimbabwe.
A political agreement which led to opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai being sworn in as Prime Minister of Zimbabwe on 11 February, is seen as a watershed moment and carries with it the expectation of expatriates returning home to begin the task of rebuilding a shattered country.
IRIN spoke to Zimbabweans in three neighbouring countries - Botswana, Mozambique and South Africa - and asked: Is it time to go home?
[ This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations ]
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The underlining statement that there is no accurate figure says it all. I have never trusted most of these numbers. To begin with some Zimbabwean abroad, are really settled immigrants to those countries. And really should not be counted. What is the point counting somebody who has lived in the UK or SA or USA for the last 15 years! Does not make any sense at all.
Mugabe 's been tearing the place down for thirty years almost now.Probably 15 years ago those who saw that whilst Mugabe holds the throat of Zimbabwe they might as well get away for a bit without thinking that the old fart will be running the country by seance for the next hundred years or so.Seems to me that anyone whose heart belongs to their birthplace should still be welcome to come home.Why set time limits ? Mugga's in no hurry.
Active Discussions: Is It Time to Go Home to Zimbabwe?