I’m reaching that age where I will be attending several 30th birthday parties this year, although thankfully I’m still a couple of years away from my own.  This is also the year that Zimbabwe celebrates 30 years of independence, and just like all those who turn 30, we spend time considering all that has past in those 30 years.  In previous years I have always wondered how those born after independence, like myself, will view the events on the 18th April 1980.  But this year had a different theme, as it was time to stop looking backward and start looking forward.

On Friday 16th April I attended an event hosted by the Royal African Society (RAS) at the School of Oriental and African Studies, entitled ‘What Next For Zimbabwe?’.  It was hosted by Richard Dowden (Director of the RAS) and speakers included Lovemore Matombo (President of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions), Gabriel Shumba (Executive Director, Zimbabwe Exiles Forum, South Africa), John Mawbey (South African Municipal Workers Union) and Margaret Ling (Treasurer, Britain Zimbabwe Society and Trustee, Zimbabwe Association).  The format of the meeting was based on brief presentations by the speakers followed by questions and answers and a general discussion.

Lovemore Matombo spoke first, telling us that Zimbabwe is currently undergoing a transition to democracy, but warned us that the current unity government is faltering due to continued state sponsored violence. Margaret Ling pleaded for Zimbabweans in the diaspora to be allowed back into the mix, as many were willing to return but most feared for their safety.  She also reaffirmed the high level of education that most Zimbabweans possess, even compared to the average English person.  But Gabriel Shumba said that the diaspora were still hesitant to become fully engaged, and that many Zimbabweans in South Africa are being treated inhumanely and need better treatment by the South African government.  Finally John Mawbey expressed solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe, and complained that South African President Jacob Zuma is not doing enough to lean on ZANU-PF.

The theme that resonated from the presentations and ensuing discussion was that of the diaspora, and how Zimbabwe needs them if it is to have any hope of recovering.  How exactly this will be done is anyone’s guess at the moment, as there is no unified structure or process in place.  Out of a population of over 12 million people, it is estimated that anything up to 4 million of those are outside Zimbabwe.  1/4 of the entire population of a state being displaced is almost unprecedented. 

South Africa is also experiencing a ‘brain drain’, although not quite to the levels of Zimbabwe.  To counter this, the South African government set up the Homecoming Revolution , a ‘non-profit organisation aimed at reversing the South African skills shortage’.  The website includes information on jobs, schools, banks, citizenship issues and stories of those who have returned from overseas back to South Africa.  They recently had a fair in London which I attended, it was the complete one-stop exhibition for those wanting to return to their home.

From the discussion I attended, I am convinced this is exactly what Zimbabwe needs.  Of course, Zimbabwe is dealing with its own internal problems, and some may think that the issues and concerns of Zimbabweans who have not left are more pressing.  But it is absolutely vital that the diaspora is united and some sort of movement is created to help those return, no matter where they are in the world.  For those that do not want to return as they have set themselves up in their new countries, then they must be allowed and encouraged to send money back to Zimbabwe to their friends and family.  But those millions of returning Zimbabweans will bring skills that their country desperately needs, and an organization that facilitates this can streamline the process of returning skilled workers. 

I have refused to allow myself to become depressed over the downward spiral Zimbabwe has experienced over the past 30 years, it’s time to look forward and to consider what action need taking to help rebuild our home.  The returning of the diaspora must be high on that list.

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