BULAWAYO, ZIMBABWE // No 7 Elcombe Street, which houses the South African Embassy in the leafy Belgravia suburb, was, until May 1, the busiest diplomatic address in Harare.
Hundreds of Zimbabweans packed the embassy each week, applying for visas to travel to South Africa for shopping or to search for jobs. They were joined by armies of vendors selling food and enterprising touts, whose job was to wake at the crack of dawn and secure places at the front of the queue, later selling the places to genuine applicants for travel permits.
Since South Africa eased its visa requirements of Zimbabweans, however, the embassy no longer bustles with excitement.
The activity has drifted 500km south to the Beitbridge border post, the gateway to South Africa, where Zimbabweans can now get a free 90-day visitor's permit.
Previously they had to apply at the embassy, back their application with travellers' cheques worth 2,000 South African rand (Dh885) and then wait two weeks to hear if they were successful.
Zimbabweans now have three months to find legal work and the option to extend their stay to six months.
On a recent Friday, the three-kilometre stretch of road leading to the Beitbridge border post resembled a car park as vehicles inched forward.
Nyasha Ngwerume, 30, a civil engineer, was one of the hundreds queuing on his way to South Africa to look for work. "It was unnecessary for South Africa to maintain visa restrictions on us when we allow its nationals free movement into our country. I am hoping for the best in South Africa," he said.
Analysts estimate that 3.5 million Zimbabweans have fled the economic and political crises at home, and settled in Britain, the United States, Canada, Australia, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa, among other countries, as political or economic refugees.
Of these, around one million are believed to be in South Africa.
"I just want to get the job for which I am trained, earn a fair salary and lead a decent life. An economist like me earns three times more in South Africa than I do here, and for that it is irresistible," said Joey Munda, 28.
Davies Ndumiso Sibanda, head of the Bulawayo-based Stratways Labour Consultants, said unskilled workers are likely to remain behind because the salaries they are now earning in a stabilising economy, though still low, negate the option of finding work in South Africa.
"For the common worker, the salary he earns here is comparable with what he can get in South Africa," Mr Sibanda said.
"However, we forecast an exodus of skilled professionals because of this new arrangement. Zimbabwean industry is still unable to match South Africa in terms of salaries and working conditions for skilled workers, so the motivation to go south remains or will in fact be enhanced seeing that the tough travel restrictions no longer apply."
Mr Sibanda lamented that a depleted skills base would further complicate Zimbabwe's economic recovery efforts.
South Africa, the continent's biggest economy, has for many years recruited such professionals as engineers, doctors, IT specialists, journalists and teachers from its poorer neighbours. The recruitment has intensified in recent years as a construction boom before the 2010 Fifa World Cup, which South Africa will host, takes hold. The Democratic Alliance, South Africa's official opposition party, has criticised the visa waiver as "irresponsible" because it could increase unemployment and threaten the country's security.
"This is basically opening the gates for anyone to enter the country without any restrictions. It compromises security, passport holders and it has a direct impact on unemployment figures in South Africa," Athol Trollip, a Democratic Alliance official, recently told South Africa's Herald newspaper.
Luxon Zembe, a former president of the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce, accused the South African government of opening its borders simply to get extra help to build its World Cup infrastructure.
He said that considering the operating difficulties they are facing, Zimbabwean employers could be more competitive in the labour market in the short term if they retrench secondary staff and retain those with core skills and pay them well. Employers and the government, he said, also need to invest in education and training to replenish lost labour.
tmpofu@thenational.ae
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
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A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
More coverage from the Future Forum
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NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
RESULTS
Bantamweight: Victor Nunes (BRA) beat Azizbek Satibaldiev (KYG). Round 1 KO
Featherweight: Izzeddin Farhan (JOR) beat Ozodbek Azimov (UZB). Round 1 rear naked choke
Middleweight: Zaakir Badat (RSA) beat Ercin Sirin (TUR). Round 1 triangle choke
Featherweight: Ali Alqaisi (JOR) beat Furkatbek Yokubov (UZB). Round 1 TKO
Featherweight: Abu Muslim Alikhanov (RUS) beat Atabek Abdimitalipov (KYG). Unanimous decision
Catchweight 74kg: Mirafzal Akhtamov (UZB) beat Marcos Costa (BRA). Split decision
Welterweight: Andre Fialho (POR) beat Sang Hoon-yu (KOR). Round 1 TKO
Lightweight: John Mitchell (IRE) beat Arbi Emiev (RUS). Round 2 RSC (deep cuts)
Middleweight: Gianni Melillo (ITA) beat Mohammed Karaki (LEB)
Welterweight: Handesson Ferreira (BRA) beat Amiran Gogoladze (GEO). Unanimous decision
Flyweight (Female): Carolina Jimenez (VEN) beat Lucrezia Ria (ITA), Round 1 rear naked choke
Welterweight: Daniel Skibinski (POL) beat Acoidan Duque (ESP). Round 3 TKO
Lightweight: Martun Mezhlumyan (ARM) beat Attila Korkmaz (TUR). Unanimous decision
Bantamweight: Ray Borg (USA) beat Jesse Arnett (CAN). Unanimous decision
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
The biog
Favourite food: Tabbouleh, greek salad and sushi
Favourite TV show: That 70s Show
Favourite animal: Ferrets, they are smart, sensitive, playful and loving
Favourite holiday destination: Seychelles, my resolution for 2020 is to visit as many spiritual retreats and animal shelters across the world as I can
Name of first pet: Eddy, a Persian cat that showed up at our home
Favourite dog breed: I love them all - if I had to pick Yorkshire terrier for small dogs and St Bernard's for big
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
SPECS
Nissan 370z Nismo
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
Power: 363hp
Torque: 560Nm
Price: Dh184,500
LIVING IN...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
