Zimbabwe:No Money Same Problems

In June this year (2019), Zimbabwean Youth body NAYO tried to alert the world to

University Fees Hikes occurring in Zimbabwe where, students paying in Zimbabwes

own RTGS currency were charged 40% more than those paying in US Dollars.

To participate in Zimbabwe’s Civic space (where any challenges to issues such as Fees Hikes commence) is a brave endeavor that many young people have taken up as a personal responsibility despite the restrictions placed on their freedoms.

In conversation with one Zimbabwean Youth Leader, MacDonald Munyoro, I realized that crackdowns on freedoms to association, expression, assembly and demonstrations, still continue even though the Mugabe administration, famed for violating these Rights, has long gone.

These and other limitations on Zimbabwe’s Civic space are preventing Citizens and

Youth in particular from co-creating, with Government, a Zimbabwe that represents the aspirations of its People.

One of Zimbabwe’s main accomplishments, is that of having Africa’s highest Adult

Literacy Rates, which stood at 90.7% in 2013.

As opposed to garnering gains from the statistics which have remained positive during trying times in Zimbabwe, the instituted Fees Hikes at Universities have resulted in drop-outs, which will undeniably have a negative impact on the workforce meant to develop the economy.

Those educated in Zimbabwe enjoy great opportunities internationally. Chartered

Accountants, Doctors and Engineers undergo short conversion processes to utilize their qualifications in countries across the Globe. Young people need access to Universities for the purpose of escaping Poverty and breaking Generational cycles that came about because of Zimbabwe’s life long economic crisis.

To increase the cost of Education in the Country, only adds More problems to a

population that in all honesty has seen more than enough of them.

Zimbabwe’s old currency, the Zimbabwean Dollar, was declared inactive after

hyperinflation. This, the result of a political climate that forced economically active

individuals to flee participation in the economy during former President Mugabe’s

tenure.

The new currency, The Real Time Gross Settlement, operates as legal tender together

with the South African Rand, United States Dollar, Botswana Pula, Pound Sterling,

Indian Rupee, Australian Dollar, Chinese Renminbi and Janapese Yen.

How did you pay your University Fees?

How would a sudden 40% increase to that cost have impacted on your life?

We can only hope that Young people in Zimbabwe, see the Zimbabwe of their Prayers

in their Lifetime.