The common stereotype of the current wave of Zimbabwean migrants is that of the ”fence jumpers” who, according to popular wisdom are ”here to steal our jobs and our women”. What this picture ignores is the number of highly skilled Zimbabwean professionals and entrepreneurs who have established themselves in South Africa, developing skills and creating jobs.
According to a report by the Southern African Migration Project (Samp) entitled The New Brain Drain from Zimbabwe, 57% of skilled Zimbabweans had given serious thought to emigrating, particularly those in the 25 to 35 age group.
Released last year and based on research conducted among a representative sample of 900 skilled Zimbabweans in 2001, the survey found that 51% expressed a desire to leave permanently, while 25% planned to leave for less than two years.
It is difficult to gain hard data on the numbers of people emigrating from Zimbabwe, as data collection systems are often inadequate, according to Vincent Williams of Samp. He says that no specific research has been done on the impact that Zimbabweans have made on the South African economy, but believes it is significant. ”These people are skilled and are earning and spending money here, even if they do send a certain percentage home.”
The brain drain from Zimbabwe has become a brain gain for South Africa in many instances.
Dr Kennedy Mubaiwa came to South Africa to specialise in anaesthetics. He worked in a public hospital, in KwaZulu-Natal, contributing to health care in the province.
”I was hands-on from day one and helped with skills and knowledge transfer as I worked with locally trained doctors.”
He then went into private practice as an anaesthetist and also managed a 24-hour emergency service in Gauteng. He went on to complete his MBA and is now a medical director at American pharmaceutical giant Lilly.
Mubaiwa says that at least half of his medical school classmates are now working in South Africa, and 90% are specialists. ”If I consider [gross domestic product] per capita, I feel that Zimbabwe is losing a lot to the advantage of South Africa.”
Mubaiwa is optimistic about the future of his homeland. ”A diamond is the result of coal under pressure. I am convinced that Zim will sparkle again one day.”
Tatenda Sibanda* (28) is a marketing manager of a news agency in South Africa. ”I wouldn’t be as effective as I am now because in Zimbabwe things like telecommunications are not reliable. And also because I’m working in the media I’d also have to duck and dive.”
Sibanda says she has mixed feelings about her home country, but home remains sweet for her. Going back to Zimbabwe is not an option for now, but Sibanda doesn’t rule out the possibility of returning home in future.
Wellington Chadehumbe, chief executive officer of Triumph Venture Capital (TVC), left Zimbabwe in 1996 before the rapid economic decline set in.
”Before my departure, I participated in numerous forums as president of the Zimbabwe Economic Society, warning about the dangers of fiscal indiscipline,” he says.
”I never expected that I would be vindicated in a manner that would be associated with so much economic loss and political turbulence.”
TVC manages investments for the Southern African Intellectual Property Fund, a venture capital fund that focuses on the commercialisation of technologies developed by South African science councils and research institutes.
Chadehumbe is excited about being in South Africa.
”I am in a more vibrant economy, the government of which has a refreshing vision for the growth of South Africa and the economic restoration of the continent,” he says. ”That is most refreshing. This has positively impacted on my quality of life.”
He believes Zimbabwe’s situation can change.
”My commitment to Zimbabwe is as unwavering as my conviction that economic growth in Africa requires a pan-African platform,” he says.
”From Japan’s experience we learn that a country’s most valuable resource is its people. Given the skills set of its people and the strong work ethic, Z+imbabwe’s economic recovery is certain, once the political stalemate has been resolved,” said Chadehumbe.
* Not her real name
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