Zimbabweans from SA yearn for a country they can still call home – The Citizen

On Monday, Zimbabweans will go to the polls, holding the first elections since Robert Mugabe, who led the country for 37 years, was ousted. The main contenders for the presidency are the current ZANU-PF President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa and Nelson Chamisa of the MDC opposition

Groundup asked Zimbabweans in Zimbabwe and South Africa their views.

Killiah Nemasango, a street vendor who lives in "I'm still out of the country – in South Africa, Mozambique or Botswana, ordering goods for resale." I have no time with my family … The Zimbabwean link can not be used anywhere else than in Zimbabwe As sellers, we need US dollars to be able to buy goods for resale from neighboring countries "

Nemasango's daughter graduated last year but did not find work in Zimbabwe. She is a domestic worker in South Africa.

Petros Tsikwa, who lives in Rusape, said, "Public servants are expected to retire at the age of 60, but most ministers and the president himself are well above. this age! … We need young blood to be in a position of power. "

" The new government should quickly create jobs so that we can also have a job, "said Martin Chisetera.For years he has struggled to find a job." I have four children; three of them are in South Africa. They send money for food every month … I am still in the working age group but I do not do anything all day. Life is very difficult for me. "

Nomatter Makudza, a young street vendor, said," I really wanted to finish high school, but my mother could not pay the tuition. My father died when I was still young. I had to drop out of school in July last year. If the new government could create jobs then I could work and then return to school.

GroundUp also spoke to Zimbabweans living in Port Elizabeth, who followed the elections with keen interest.

Itai Mahiya said that the current Zimbabwean government should be re-elected. He said he had managed to buy a house and own land in Gweru as a result of Mugabe's land policy

"I would not have managed to own a house in town if current government policies were not not pro-poor. . I received my money from cross-border trade and built my house. I've also managed to send my kids to college as a result of income from people who were paying rent at my home … I'd like to see continuity. Zimbabwe has been destroyed by sanctions imposed by outside countries. "

But most Zimbabweans GroundUp spoke to wanted to see a change of government.

Shamiso Chikwari said she wants to see the new leadership. She followed her husband to South Africa in 2007.

"My husband was a respected teacher in Bindura. He escaped after government agents accused him of being a member of the opposition. He did not find it difficult to get a job in South Africa but our marriage did not last … It would not have happened if we had stayed in Zimbabwe. "

Trust Kanyepi left Zimbabwe in 2010. He wanted to train as a mobile phone technician in Zimbabwe, but could not get the money to pay the fees because that his parents had been cut off.

"I am bitter with politicians because I did not realize my dream."

He has a small container in Motherwell from which he repairs the cell phones of

"We are called derogatory names by locals. I have been arrested several times … People accuse us of buying stolen goods. Most cases disappeared and turned out to be motivated by hatred. That's why I want the election to make changes so that I can pack my bags and return to Zimbabwe.

Sydney Mukaro also wants to return to Zimbabwe

"I loved working a lot in South Africa but I changed my mind earlier this month when truck drivers foreigners have been attacked in the KZN Our working relationship with local citizens is at a low level, they blame us for everything that happens in the country … I do not support or hate any political party in Zimbabwe. need, it's someone who will change the economy of the country. "

Mukaro's wife is a registered voter. He said that she went to Zimbabwe last week to vote

Anthony Mukuku left Zimbabwe ten years ago. He had helped his parents to cultivate on their communal land in Karoi

"I hope things change because my parents miss me." I like farming a lot. the intention to move to a larger plot and practice commercial farming, all of which failed because of bad policies and political violence, I fled to South Africa for safety. arrived here with practically nothing, I had to learn how to build myself because the FIFA World Cup caused a construction boom. "

Mukuku is married to a South African citizen. said he was ready to emigrate to Zimbabwe with his family if conditions change.

Misheck Marufu said: "Every day, I pray God to bring a new government to Zimbabwe. We have suffered enough. We want a leader capable of bringing prosperity to the people, someone who attracts companies creating jobs … We want better services like education, health and the environment. housing. The country is in a state of disrepair due to decades of corruption and malpractices. I will be the first person to go to Zimbabwe if a new government is installed next week. "

Republished from GroundUp