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Arron Nyamayaro recently in DOTITO, Mt Darwin
When the national leadership says sanctions are affecting everyone across the country, some people claim it is just a political statement not backed by evidence.
In urban areas, some had been left jobless in the last two years, with others moving to other countries in search of jobs.
As a result of the illegal sanctions, people that used to go to urban areas after completing their secondary education so they look for jobs or pursue their education at tertiary institutions could not do so anymore as parents did not have money to send children for further education.
Industries were the worst affected by the illegal sanctions as machines broke down and owners could not import spares from Western countries where most of the machines came from.
Ordinarily, if people migrated from the rural areas to urban settlements, they were expected to visit parents from time to time and help in the fields during the cropping season.
On October 25, Zimbabwe commemorated the SADC Anti-Sanctions Day, which was declared by SADC during its summit held in Tanzania in 2019.
On this day, African countries embark on various activities aimed at condemning the illegal sanctions imposed by Western countries, and have them unconditionally removed.
This year, Zimbabweans across the country marched, calling for the removal of sanctions, with many other activities taking place across the continent and globally.
After the marches and addresses in Zimbabwe, a musical gala was held in Dotito to entertain people, at the same time reminding them that sanctions must be removed.
In separate interviews, people from Dotito described the sanctions as modern day slavery.
Narrating the effects of sanctions in rural areas, a villager Mr Mathias Makunde (62) said the sanctions had caused untold brain drain.
“Our children who we sent to school with the hope that they will get jobs in Zimbabwe and occasionally visit us, have left the country to look for jobs elsewhere because of the sanctions,” said Mr Makunde.
“They love their country, but these evil sanctions have killed job opportunities in Zimbabwe, and they now have to work in other countries to get some income and take care of parents and guardians.
“We are left here doing hard jobs on our own and at this old age, I can’t do a lot of work, which is where our children would have come in.”
Mr Makunde said in some countries, Zimbabweans were working day and night, to get slightly more money.
“That is modern day slavery and it is our prayer to see our own peoples’ eyes being opened,” he said.
A number of villagers around Dotito hailed President Mnangagwa for his continued stance against sanctions, as well as national healing and development.
“We want to thank President Mnangagwa for his mantra that the nation is developed by its own people. Some successful businesspeople are returning to their rural areas for community development,” said a villager.
Another villager said Mashonaland Central Province feels honoured to have hosted this year’s Independence Day celebration where there was a soccer match involving Dynamos and Highlanders.
Mr Loveit Phiri said the decentralisation of national events by the Second Republic was welcome.
“We welcome the national events, which have empowered us in many ways, including generating some money from the sale of various goods,” said Mr Phiri.
Online Reporter