The Sunday Mail
Victoria Ruzvidzo
Zimbabweans in the Diaspora continue to play an important role in sustaining families and can be a real game changer at the macro-economic levels with more engagement.
The past few years have seen the Government and some of its partners come up with studies and policy frameworks to harness this constituency, but we need to see a more aggressive drive that yields greater participation in the economy.
That Diaspora remittances grew to US$1 billion last year from about $600 million in 2019 is an illustration of how important non-resident Zimbabweans are to this country and the potential they have in shaping our economy.
We applaud their contributions to families back home, that has often saved the situation for many, particularly in drought years and lean economic periods when some have lost their jobs or needed capital to engage in meaningful projects.
In fact, funds from abroad will always come in handy.
Many economies in Africa, Asia and other parts of the continent are sustained, to a large extent, by their Diaspora.
The capacity to remit funds was somewhat curtailed over the past two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic that reduced incomes even in big economies such as the United States and the United Kingdom.
But conversely, for Zimbabwe, the highest figure in terms of remittances was reached during the Covid-19 peak. Some fundis have argued that the increase was because many resorted to sending funds through formal payment channels as opposed to the malayitsha and other informal means, owing to restrictive movements under lockdowns.
More money coming through is great news for the economy and happy days if the figures continue to rise.
However, we believe that more medium to long term benefits can be accrued if those in Diaspora become more engaged in terms of transfer of skills and knowledge acquired from their exposure.
Zimbabwe needs the new skills and better ways of doing things to ensure efficiency and more effectiveness in efforts to turnaround the economy.
Those in the Diaspora are more exposed to new technologies and trends which they can impart to the local economy through structured programmes at private sector or Government levels.
For example we can have skilled Diasporans periodically visiting home to assist university innovation hubs with new inventions and processes that will leave the country in better stead. They can also initiate foreign internships for students and companies to acquire the requisite skills and technical know-how in their respective fields.
Zimbabwe accounts for thousands of its citizens that occupy key positions in most sectors in the Diaspora. They head technological companies, mining firms, run banks and occupy senior positions in the medical field and other sectors where experience accrued will be of great use back home.
This country will not have to reinvent the wheel in most respects, but can draw on the experience and expertise of its Diaspora.
It is in this regard that the Government and its partners need to aggressively pursue strategies to involve the Diasporans more in rebuilding the economy.
Last week’s instalment elicited interesting feedback, with many Zimbos expressing their desire to see the manifestation of the Zimbabwe we want.
Below are some of the messages I received:
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Dear Editor
Firstly l would like to thank you for what is an outstanding Sunday read. I write in this instance with reference to l last week’s instalment entitled “The Zimbabwe We Want Beckons”. It was an incisive piece which dealt with a broad range of issues which every Zimbabwean should actively consider.
We clearly need to seize our destiny, for it is in our hands. I was impressed by your thrust that we should do more. While indeed there has been traction on quite a number of issues, our work is still cut out. We need to incrementally build on it.
This is the place we call home and no one should divorce himself or herself from what is happening here. We are all mandated to be active participants in shaping it’s destiny.
Even for those in the Diaspora, not only are their kith and kin here,but they will ultimately come back home.
You covered issues on health, education, business, entrepreneurship,the ordinary citizen and our entire ethos as a people. It is good to note that you still keep eyes on the ordinary persons who in instances might not have a voice. That is hugely appreciated as well.
It goes without saying too that we need to be a peaceful nation to be able to achieve the levels we are capable of. A quick example would be Rwanda, we need not look any further than the rate of its progression.
Your emphatic stance on corruption needs to be noted as it decimates economies.
A very instructive piece which must galvanise each and everyone of us. May you continue with your exceptional pieces. — Fredric Maore, Mt Pleasant.
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Zimbabwean author based in South Africa Arthur Malinga says: Great to hear such powerful words from my own people. Straight to the point. You are not alone in this fight. We might be far from home, but our hearts long for that land.
We need such mindset for our country to be the best again. I am talking to the right person. Your prayers will be answered very soon. We have to stand up and build our own nation ourselves. I have done and obtained what I have for the engineering sector (jus a glimpse).
We will together stand for that land to bring back its Africa’s bread basket title.
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Another wrote: My name is Francis Gadzikwa Nhubu. I am a writer and an avid reader of your column “Editor’s Brief”. I have discovered that we share a common vision for Zimbabwe — a united and progressive country. What inspires you to write in your column is perhaps what has inspired me to write the book “Now Is The Time”.
As you shall see, I am an advocate of unity. It is my belief that once united the Holy Spirit can easily work among us and revelations will flow leading to abundant solutions and rapid economic development. It’s my intention to reach out to as many Zimbabweans as possible with the message of unity. Your advice shall greatly appreciated.
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Well articulated. As long as we are not united in freedom to work out our common destination as a common people we will not advance. If we aim at nothing as a common people we will hit it. — Stan in Harare.
In God I Trust!
Twitter handle: @VictoriaRuzvid2; Email: [email protected]; [email protected]; WhatsApp number: 0772 129 972.
