Written by: Erin Georgiou, editor
Article source: JOY! Magazine

Hundreds of thousands of Zimbabweans have flocked to South Africa to escape economic hardship since the 1990s. The South African government has, since 2010, granted the migrants a special permit to live and work in the country. Its latest iteration is the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP). Now the government says the permit has run its course and wants to scrap it. This has sparked fears that the move will jeopardise the lives of the permit holders and their dependants. With the expiry of the special ZEP looming, many Zimbabweans in South Africa are now hastily returning to their homeland. In 2009, the South African government introduced the “Dispensation of Zimbabwe Permit (DZP)” for Zimbabweans who wanted to live and work here. At the time ± 245 000 DZPs were granted, until it was renamed the “Zimbabwe Special Permit (ZSP)”. In 2017, it was renamed to the current ZEP, which was granted to around 180 000 Zimbabweans. In 2021, the South African government decided not to renew the ZEP system and the 180 000 ZEP holders received a one-year grace period until 31 December 2022, after which it was then extended until 30 June 2023.

Empty promises
Now these desperate/frustrated Zimbabweans are flocking back to their homeland – it is estimated that it affects between 700 000 and 1 000 000 people because many of the 180 000 also represent their children and other dependants. The Zimbabwean government says that measures have been put in place to assist the returning citizens, but many of those who have already returned are struggling to get by – especially to pay school fees. According to an article from the Daily Maverick (March 29, 2023) Jack Mutsvairo, the chairman of the Union of Zimbabwean Educators Western Cape, said: “We have so far not come across any returnee who has received any help from the Zimbabwean government … returning Zimbabweans are struggling to re-establish themselves in the country”.

An uncertain future
For the anxious Zimbabweans, it is an uncertain future ahead, with no job opportunities and no fixed income. Many Zimbabweans are catching buses and taxis with bulky luggage – they are taking back as much as they can to start all over again.

Hope in the midst of disappointment
If someone does not have hope in Jesus Christ, it will be overwhelming. With Christ by their side, they can start again, even with very little. For 40 years the Israelites travelled through the wilderness with very little, and they were able to build a large and prosperous nation in the end. It will be the task of born-again Christians to contribute and to help develop a thriving economy. There must be a voice of peace in the midst of the chaos, hope in the midst of bitter disappointment.

What can you do?
If you have Zimbabwean employees or know any Zimbabweans, please buy them a copy of our new JOY! Africa discipleship book to take back with them. You can also take hands with us and sponsor books that will be distributed to the returning Zimbabweans. Sponsor ten books at R1000 (R100 each). Help us to offer hope, because if someone has hope in their heart, God gives them a vision and a future.

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Date published: 16/06/2023

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