Langa Mabena
Maria Chiguvari
BLOGGER Makomborero ‘Mako Gold’ Mutimukulu has revealed that life in the UK for Zimbabweans who are based there is not as rosy as is widely perceived here back home.
The former Zimpapers sports journalist is now based in England but is back home on holiday.
He told journalist Yvonne Mangunda, on her podcast The Spotlight With Yvonne, that there was a misconception that the UK was some sort of an El Dorado where milk and honey flowed on the streets.
He said:
“Munhu akanzi ayenda ku UK, don’t put too much pressure on that person, give them time to settle because what we see here Yvonne kana tiri kuno uku and the stuff that you experience uko when you are there, kungoti vanhu vanonyepa havo and havazokuudza chokwadi kuti vakomana aaahhh pakaipa but it’s what it is.
“I see people breaking down, I see people crying.
“If you have got relatives who live in the UK, give them time to settle down and the most important thing is check on them.
“Mental health is a big issue.
“To have people who look for you it’s massive. I once switched off my phone and I had a person who looked for me, she had to ask my friend if I was okay.
“The time I switched it on and saw all the messages I felt amused and even if that person asks for a US$20 why not.”
He added:
“Ndakaisa status playing football with whites and you just say kowakuvhaira ndikandirewo ka US$20, do you know why I am playing football with those guys, I am trying to fit in and get my life going.
“All the jokes that people make on social media about those living in the Diaspora zvinosvika and it’s unfortunate that others are not strong, they end up getting affected in a big way.
“When you guys do your programmes don’t be too serious, the reason we watch is because life there is too serious.
“Don’t hit us with serious issues, yes, I want to know about what is going on around Zimbabwe.
“I used to be very serious but now I am watching all the skits on social media because ndakatowona kuti ukaita serious unobaya.
“Speaking as someone who is going back, please check on us that are we okay, how are you doing, having someone asking if you’re okay is enough,” he said.
The blogger said the part where he talked about life in the UK attracted the biggest interest.
“This bit has given me the most feedback from the interview I had with Yvonne Tendai Mangunda,” he said on his social media platform.
“The brothers here need a hug, 8/10 days we are not OK. But tozviudza ani? Mentally we are drained, emotionally we are all over the place and varidzi venzvimbo havatide.
“But sema ghetto yout tohardira.
“Most of the men are under pressure, tochema nenyaya hwani − huyai nemore money padheni. Mari yacho toiwana kupi tichishanda mabasa anosekwa?
“Hakuna madeal….mastraight zhet.
“Munhu anenge atoisa 100 percent effort but still not good enough. Anozongozvibuka oti chero zvazvaita….God knows I have tried my best.
“Not appreciated, not respected − outcasts in what supposed to be greener pastures. Kana une hama kuchando just check on them….Hi wangu, urisei? That means a lot.”
Bongani Ndlovu