Zimbabweans struggle to rebuild after fleeing xenophobia in South Africa | News
Mutare, Zimbabwe – After leaving Zimbabwe in 2019 for better opportunities in South Africa, Samantha Chimbuya built a life that included stable employment and access to healthcare and education for her two children. However, as anti-immigrant sentiment escalated, Chimbuya felt unsafe, prompting her to return to Zimbabwe.
In late June, a deadline set by anti-immigrant activists for undocumented migrants to leave South Africa loomed. Chimbuya, 30, packed her belongings and made the journey back home. “It was not safe any more. They were raiding our homes, warning us to leave. It was scary,” she recounted.
While living in KwaZulu-Natal, she witnessed intensifying protests led by groups such as March and March, which accused undocumented migrants of taking jobs and straining public services. Although South African officials clarified that June 30 would remain a normal day and warned against intimidation, thousands of migrants departed amid growing fears of unrest.
Some governments provided transportation to facilitate the return of their citizens, while others, like Chimbuya, financed their own journeys. According to Zimbabwe’s Information Minister Zhemu Soda, by July 28, a total of 116,670 Zimbabweans had returned from South Africa, with 36,940 receiving government assistance and 79,730 returning independently.
Challenges Ahead in Zimbabwe
Returning to Zimbabwe has not alleviated Chimbuya’s challenges. She now grapples with the same economic difficulties that prompted her initial departure. Struggling to find work, she currently relies on the support of family and friends while her husband remains in South Africa, facing similar hardships.
Chimbuya had hoped to secure a grant to start a small business but has not yet received any assistance. Reverend Useni Sibanda, executive director of the Zimbabwe Christian Alliance, noted that many returnees are coming back after years abroad without jobs or sufficient support. He emphasized that some returnees failed to invest in property while away, leaving them without safety nets upon returning.
“They are coming back to a country where there are no jobs and where the social support systems may not be enough to accommodate them,” Sibanda stated.
In response to this influx, the Zimbabwean government has initiated efforts to assist returnees. Local Government Minister Daniel Garwe stated that authorities are screening returnees to assess their skills and needs. Plans for reintegration centers are underway, and the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Schools is considering recruiting qualified teachers from among the returnees. Additionally, companies are encouraged to hire skilled returnees, and vocational training programs are being developed to support entrepreneurship.
Entrepreneurs on the Rise
For some returnees, the skills acquired abroad have enabled them to quickly establish livelihoods. Sidney Bunya, originally from Zvimba, left Zimbabwe in March 2020 due to economic struggles. After working various jobs in Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth, he honed his carpentry skills and took on significant projects.
In 2026, facing harassment from groups demanding work permits, Bunya decided to return to Zimbabwe, bringing his carpentry tools with him. He used his savings to start a business, which now supports not only his family but also five employees. “It was difficult to set up the business. But I am getting more jobs now,” said Bunya.
Local churches have also collaborated with businesses to provide training in trades such as welding, carpentry, and computer science.
Call for Sustainable Support
While churches have been instrumental in offering shelter, food, and transport for returnees, Ray Motsi, president of the Theological College of Zimbabwe, expressed concerns about the overwhelming needs of these individuals. He criticized the government for not providing sufficient support for people returning after years abroad.
Motsi emphasized the necessity of establishing a comprehensive program for reintegration, stating that returnees require more than just transportation home. Human rights activist Rashweat Mukundu echoed this sentiment, advocating for extended support, including small grants and agricultural resources, to enable returnees to build sustainable livelihoods.
“The challenge is not simply getting Zimbabweans across the border but ensuring they can remain economically secure once they arrive,” Mukundu said. He noted his aspiration to open a grocery store but highlighted that funding remains a significant obstacle.
