The students — who over the past few years have been complaining
about the “insignificant” grants they receive from government — are
now selling maputi (pop-corns), freezts, cool drinks and fruits in an
effort to make ends meet.
Girls under the age of 21 are now into full-time commercial
prostitution with a view to raising both funds for food and
accommodation as the country’s industry has closed down.
Some students walk to the campus from the city centre, a distance of 7
kilometres to attend lessons.
Timothy Mabasa, a third year Bachelor of Arts student, said learning
at the University of Zimbabwe was increasingly becoming difficult
because of the current economic hardships.
Mabasa said he together with other students, are selling anything
edible to colleagues at the campus in order to make ends meet.
“I sell maputi (pop corns) everyday of the week and from there I get
my bus fare to and from home. Had it not been that, I would not be
able to attend lectures here,” said Mabasa, who lives in Warren Park,
Harare’s high density suburb.
He said he buys a packet of pop-corns for $50 000 (U$0.30) and resale
it at double the price (US$0.60).
Another student Prosper Murombedzi from Mbare, Zimbabwe’s densely
populated suburban of Harare said he passes through Mbare Musika
everyday to buy bananas for resale at the campus.
“I attend lectures and during break or lunch time I sell my bananas. I
make enough for transport but not enough for other needs of a tertiary
student,” said Murombedzi.
The students said the learning environment is not conducive, arguing
that there is a chronic shortage of lecturers, and halls of residence
are inadequate while transport woes are the order of the day.
Due to increasing economic hardships, some female students have
resorted to prostitution to make ends meet.
 “I am from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s second largest city and the
authorities closed the hostels and I am now living in the Avenues area
with friends who are sell their bodies in order to survive,” said a
lady, who requested not to be named.
Because of increasing economic difficulties, some students have
stopped attending lectures because they cannot afford forking out $1,
2 million daily on transport alone.
“I only go to college when I have an important lecture. Its now an
everyday thing that students only see lecturers teaching only half of
the class,” said Murombedzi.
University of Zimbabwe authorities last semester closed the halls of
residence citing poor ablution facilities.
But the students believe the closure was a way of punishing them for
having involved in demonstrations demanding better conditions at the
college.
University of Zimbabwe spokesperson, Daniel Chihombori, could not be
reached to comment on what plans the institution has to ensure a
conducive learning environment. – Own correspondent
Post published in: News