Hardworking Zimbabweans forced out of South Africa following threats of xenophobic attacks have found it difficult to sit idly at home, waiting for the recovery of the countrys battered economy. They failed to resist the urge to cross back into neighbouring South Africa, but now they are working cross border traders.
Sheillah Kambarami, 48, from Nyazema suburb in Macheke has just returned from a cross border shopping trip in Johannesburg, barely a week after fleeing xenophobic attacks. She could not imagine making a living without such regular business trips, as she spent the past seven years as a flea market vendor in Clarewood, Durban. She expressed bitterness in her sudden change of fortune due to social intolerance.
I had settled well in South Africa, and for the past seven years I have been selling clothes at a flea market. I commuted daily to the town as I lived some 13km from Umlazi High Density Suburb. Despite being a crime-ridden suburb, life in Umlazi was affordable.
A dollar disappears
Though threats of xenophobic attacks in the suburb had not been put into practice, verbal threats were too scary to ignore. At first I considered shifting my base to Clarewood where I plied my trade, but later decided to relocate back home. The forced decision was not easy as I have been supporting my extended family at home.
My life savings were spent on transport as I had to ferry all my property home. Barely a week after arriving home, I learnt that a dollar spent was hard to replace as economic activity here is still agonizingly slow.
Armed with a few remaining Rand, I crossed into South Africa to purchase items in large quantities for sale at flea markets and around farms. The trade looks promising for now. If business continues to bloom, I may not settle in South Africa again but make a living out of cross border trading.
Zimbabweans made an honest living through hard work in South Africa, but if the host country was not willing to accommodate us there was no way we could forcibly stay in a foreign country. Despite the volatile economic and political environment here, our forced repatriation could be a blessing in disguise. It could be an opportunity to help draft a people driven constitution and participate in eventual elections which could usher democracy in the country. God has a plan and purpose for our returning home.
Another returnee, Joramu Mbedzi,43, of Gokwe said he would be crossing Beit-Bridge Border Post regularly, to purchase goods for sale to cotton growers in his home area.
We realized xenophobic attacks would affect foreigners resident and working in the country. Temporary visitors would not be affected. In this regard I would settle for cross border trading for now. Our economy is shrunk and can not offer formal employment. Cross border trading is the only rewarding option.
Lucrative venture
Though basic commodities are available in the country, prices remain relatively higher than across the Limpopo. Electrical gadgets and furniture are too expensive here. This make cross border trading a lucrative venture.
Since some returnees lost goods and unpaid salaries in South Africa, others pooled resources and formed cross border trading cooperatives. They would mobilize financial resources and make contributions towards purchasing of merchandise. With time they would become self-sustaining. We have also considered sending a few cross border traders to make purchases for a number of people remaining home. This helps cut our travel expenses.
With well managed cross border trading one can not go wrong. I have resolved to settle at home and help bring about democracy in the country. Since I located to South Africa six years ago, I never participated in elections here. I feel non participation of people in the Diaspora in home politics helped prolong Zanu (PF) hold onto power. This time around our participation in both the constitution making and next elections would make deference. I am here to stay, life in South Africa is over.
Most returnees have accepted the reality of xenophobic attacks and resolved to turn into cross border traders for a living. They said there was a ready market for imported South African products.
Post published in: News