‘I want to work, please help me’:
the casualties of Zimbabwe’s
collapsing economy

By Francois Sieberhagen, UBS Media Consultant

HARARE, Zimbabwe — “Look at me: I am young and strong and I want to work. Please help me,” pleads Gilbert Chisurura, 29.

Having grown up in a relatively prosperous Zimbabwe, which was once the envy of its neighbours, and having studied hard at school, Gilbert had dreams for his future. Today, however, the country is in a state of economic collapse, with inflation a staggering 600 per cent and rising, and more than 70 per cent of the population unemployed. Gilbert has found himself as one of many millions of people desperate for work.

He makes a small income, barely enough to survive on, by offering to repair the shoes of passers-by along one of Harare’s busy roads. With little prospect of improving his circumstances he despairs of the future. His companion during the long hours on the roadside is Lioyd Goremani, 27, who is also educated and unable to find regular work.

“I am trying to make a living by selling roasted mealies [corn on the cob] to people travelling along this road,” he explains. “But I’m struggling to make enough money. I charge ZW$1,000 [US$0.20] for each mealie.”

The Bible Society of Zimbabwe realises that it needs to reach people like Lioyd and Gilbert with the encouragement and hope found in the Bible. But, in the current economic climate, it is finding it very difficult to carry out its work.
“To keep our products, including printed products like Bibles, New Testaments, Portions and even Selections, at an affordable price is a major challenge,” sighs Edward Mutema, the Society’s General Secretary. “We are very aware of the great need that exists for Scriptures but we can only supply a limited amount with no flexibility to produce more if needed, because we are totally cash blocked. We are dependent on what we receive through the UBS World Service Program.

“We recently produced an audio recording of the Portion called Who Is My Neighbour?, which we hope to be able to distribute soon, depending on funding. We have produced this Portion because we want to encourage Zimbabweans to support each other in these difficult times. We know that the Lord is with us and as a Bible Society we believe that he will provide us with what we need to take his Word to those who really need it.” (WR 385/14 - 4/5.04)