The Zimbabwean government has been urged to urgently develop programmes that harness the skills and experience of Zimbabweans returning from South Africa, with analysts warning that failure to do so could turn a potential economic asset into a social and economic burden.
The call comes as increasing numbers of Zimbabweans return home amid growing anti-immigration sentiment in South Africa.
Speaking on This Morning on Asakhe, during a discussion titled “June 30 Aftermath: Business as Usual or the Beginning of a New Crisis” on Wednesday, political analyst, Butler Tambo, said the Ministry of Skills Audit and Development should take the lead in identifying and integrating the expertise of returning Zimbabweans into the country’s economy.
He said although the influx of returnees presents significant challenges, it also offers Zimbabwe an opportunity to benefit from skills acquired by its citizens while working in South Africa.
On this topic
“These returnees are bringing back valuable experience and practical skills. If the government puts the right policies in place, Zimbabwe stands to benefit immensely,” Tambo said.
He noted migration to South Africa has become a defining feature of many Zimbabwean households, particularly in Matabeleland.
“There are families that we know, whether in Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South, Bulawayo or other provinces, where almost every household has someone living in South Africa. Those people have been sending remittances, whether R100 or R1 000, helping sustain families and building homes back in Zimbabwe,” he said.
However, Tambo warned many returnees would face difficult conditions upon returning home, including limited employment opportunities, deteriorating infrastructure and overstretched public services.
He said some Zimbabweans who had spent decades working in South Africa were returning to the same homes they left years ago, often having to share accommodation with several generations of family members.
“What are they coming back to? They are coming back to dilapidated infrastructure. For those who have not managed to build homes or establish businesses, we are looking at 40, 45 or even 50-year-old men and women who have spent 25 to 30 years in South Africa, sending money home to support elderly parents, only to return to the same house they grew up in,” Tambo said.
“We are going to have three or even four generations living under one roof in the same house they left years ago, whether in Makokoba or any other suburb.”
Tambo also expressed concern over the healthcare needs of returnees, particularly those receiving antiretroviral treatment in South Africa.
He warned that disruptions in access to medication could arise if Zimbabwe failed to adequately prepare for the increased demand.
“Some of them have been receiving anti-retroviral treatment in South Africa. They are returning to a Zimbabwe whose HIV treatment programme has relied heavily on USAID and other donors. These are people who will now have to find ways of accessing their medication, so this is likely to place significant pressure on local authorities and government,” Tambo said.
Despite these concerns, Tambo said Zimbabwe could derive substantial economic benefits if it capitalised on the practical skills many migrants had acquired while working in South Africa.
He noted thousands of Zimbabweans had gained expertise in construction, carpentry, tiling, painting, paving, plumbing, hairdressing and other trades, with some having worked on infrastructure projects ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
“If those people can come back into Zimbabwe and receive government support, this is the time for the Ministry of Skills Audit, led by Jenfan Muswere, to implement policies and programmes that empower returnees to utilise the skills they gained while working in South Africa,” he said.
Tambo also urged the Ministry of Youth Empowerment and the Ministry of Women’s Affairs to work together in providing transport assistance, entrepreneurship training and financial support to help returnees establish businesses.
“If this situation is handled well by the Zimbabwean Government, Zimbabwe can benefit from the skills repatriated by returning citizens. If it is not handled properly, then we have a serious problem,” said the analyst.
He said targeted support could enable many returnees to establish small businesses, create employment and contribute to economic growth instead of joining the country’s already large unemployed population.
However, Tambo cautioned authorities to also prepare for possible security challenges associated with large-scale returns.
While many returnees would bring productive skills, Tambo warned that others could also return with criminal expertise acquired abroad.
“Remember, some are coming back with skills, but not all of them are good skills. Some have perfected sophisticated methods of robbery, while others may have adopted anti-social behaviours. The police must be prepared to deal with more sophisticated forms of crime that could emerge,” he said.
The analyst also warned that social challenges, including prostitution and other forms of economic survival strategies, could increase if returning Zimbabweans struggle to find livelihoods.
“Activities like prostitution are likely to increase significantly in Zimbabwe as well,” he claimed.
Tambo stressed that coordinated planning involving Government ministries, local authorities and security agencies would be essential to make sure that the return of Zimbabweans from South Africa strengthens the country’s economy rather than placing additional strain on already stretched public services.
Leave a Reply