Zimbabweans seeking greener pastures in neighbouring Zambia – and an escape from the election violence wracking the country – are becoming increasingly concerned at the rising levels of contempt directed against them.
“We are being treated with a lot of indignation. Everywhere we go, we are being treated like lesser human beings; it’s like as long as you are a Zimbabwean woman in Zambia, then you are a prostitute [sex worker], which is not the case,” Patience Ndhlobvu, a Zimbabwean cross-border trader in the Zambian capital Lusaka, told IRIN.
“I personally take strong exception to that; this is not fair, it’s not a situation of our own making … Zambians have been very good to us, but it’s like things are changing [now]. Everyone is suddenly saying bad things about us. Just the other day, someone called me a prostitute as I was selling my products [sweets, chocolates and biscuits] in town.”
South Africa boast the continent’s largest economy and is a first choice destination for Zimbabweans seeking to escape the more than 80 percent unemployment rate and an inflation rate unofficially estimated at more than one million percent.
However, recent attacks by South Africans against foreign nationals, which has killed over 60 people and displaced tens of thousands, has seen an influx of about 25,000 Zimbabweans from South Africa to Zambia according to the Red Cross, more than double the number already thought to be in the country.
Levy Mwanawasa, Zambia’s president and chairman of the regional body the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), reportedly said the country did not have the capacity to host any more foreign nationals or refugees, as it was developing its former refugee camps into specialist institutions such as skills training centres.
Zambia was host to about 300,000 refugees fleeing the Great Lakes conflicts and the Angolan civil war during the 1990s; numbers have since fallen to about 113,000 following the repatriations of Rwandese, Congolese and Angolan nationals.
Mike Mulongoti, Zambia’s information minister and chief government spokesperson, said there was a concern Zimbabwe’s presidential run-off elections on 27 June could precipitate the migration of yet more Zimbabweans to neighbouring states.
Rising tensions between neighbours
The opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) won the 29 March parliamentary poll and almost snatched a first-round victory in the presidential ballot. But 60 people have since died in political violence following the elections, according to the MDC.
“We are continuously being inconvenienced as a people of Zambia,” Mulongoti told IRIN. “We can’t continue to deny that there’s something wrong going on there [in Zimbabwe] because their people are now coming onto our soil in thousands. They [Zimbabweans] are all over the place.”
Zambia’s diplomatic relations with Zimbabwe are strained – in part as a result of Mwanawasa convening an extraordinary SADC summit ahead of the 29 March election. Mugabe refused to attend the Lusaka meeting and his government launched vitriolic attacks against Zambia, along with Botswana and Tanzania, for doing the bidding of Britain, in “a campaign for speedy regime change in Zimbabwe”.
“As the government of Zambia, we take strong exception to the Zimbabwean government’s recent unwarranted attacks on us in the media. How long are we going to tolerate this? How long are we going to host these people? We did it during the struggle for freedom,” Mulongoti said.
Lee Habasonda, executive director of the regional good governance and human rights watchdog, the Southern African Centre for Constructive Resolution of Disputes [SACCORD], told IRIN South Africa’s xenophobic attacks, which appear to target Zimbabweans more than others, could spread to other countries if Zimbabwe’s economic meltdown was not addressed.
Zimbabweans resented in the region
“The thing is, it’s not just here in Zambia where Zimbabweans are being resented, even in Botswana, even in Mozambique, and even in Malawi the situation is the same. We have a lot of them coming to do businesses in unacceptable fields such as in the sex trade,” Habasonda said.
In April 2008, Zambian immigration officials deported about 60 Zimbabwean suspected sex workers from Livingstone, the country’s tourism capital.
The Immigration Department is attempting to curb the influx of Zimbabwean immigrants through Zambia’s Southern Province border posts of Chirundu, Kazungula and Kariba, “but it’s difficult to completely clamp down on these illegal immigrants because they don’t require any visas to enter Zambia. Some of them come with a day’s permit as visitors but never go back,” an immigration official, who declined to be identified, told IRIN.
“On average, we are having over 200 Zimbabweans crossing into Zambia every day,” he said.
Zimbabwe’s run-off presidential election could be the trigger for far larger numbers. “We are all keenly watching the situation in Zimbabwe. Whatever happens in Zimbabwe has a bearing on Zambia,” Neo Simutanyi, a senior political science lecturer at the University of Zambia, told IRIN.
“Clearly, the people of Zimbabwe want change, but chances of a free and fair election run-off are very slim. What we foresee taking place in Zimbabwe is a possible military coup or armed rebellion if the ruling ZANU-PF goes through, which will be very bad for Zambia and the region as a whole.”
[Source: IRIN, a UN humanitarian news and information service]
What greener pastures are there in Zambia.
Zambia is still third world with a high unemployment rate.
There are no greener pastures.
They should go to Africa’s success story Botswana.
Im sorry to say but the truth is Zambia cannot handle all those immigrants. It is a small third world country. One of the poorest in the world.
LT, I would like to commend you for finally providing sources to your story.
Keep it up.
“Zambians have been very good to us, but it’s like things are changing”. Nothing stays permanent, nature’s mighty law is change. Who would feel pity for Zimbabweans when their President is busy insulting Zambia? When Zambia had problems, we used to go to Zimbabwe, and we were really mistreated at the border, all the times. Mugabe was not insulted. I personally feel for Zimbos; they will be really kind to people in times of abundance. For now, tough, Zambia is till poor due to the estimated 12billion dollars (US) Kaunda spent on liberating Southern african nations.
“You can run but you cant hide”. Why run? The best is to tuff it out in their country. Through our economic hardships, Most Zambians have perservered without turning themselves destitutes. Zimbos should learn from Zambians. It will make them into better people and they will appreaciate each other and value the very existence of Zimbabawe. The prevailing attitudes of absconding Zim without a fight are only waking to the satisfaction of mugabe and so called veterans. Wake up Zimbos!! Stop running and stand up for your country. Be your own veterans!.
We are indeed in problems as a zambia.
But why should zimbos be fleeing from they country when elections are near? Don’t they realise that they hold the power which can decide they destine? Just who do they think will come and redeem them?
Of course as a zed, we have a soft heart that we cannot emulate RSA, but am sure Govt can put in place stringent measures to stop this influx before its too late. This Patience Ndhlobvu, though she denies it, thats what they do to sustain themselves. Which sensible cross border trader can bring in biscuits, sweets & chocolates for street vending and sustain both herself and her children?
#1 Mmmmmh thats aserious dis on Zambia. Mind you Zambia is classified poor because due to a number of factors with gross incompetence and mismanagement of state affairs by those entrusted with the jobs topping the list.
Please! Please my beloved country men and women! Let us not be unfair to those Zimbabweans seeking refuge on our soil. It will only tarnish our image as Zambians. We are known for our hospitality by the the whole Africa and indeed the whole world. Of late, we gave a good example to South Africa by accepting the Zimbabweans who were running away from the xenophobia attacks.We might have limited resources to share with other foreigners but in time of crises like this, we have to be human. Let us bear with our Sisters and brothers from Zimbabwe in these sad and hard times of political, moral and economic instabilities. God bless mother Zambia!
Please Zambians resist all the temptation to be hostile to the Zimbabweans. Please be friendly to those who are in distress we know what it means to be in similar circumstances. Remember the days we used to cross to get Coca cola, butter and bread? Even though your friends were not friendly is not reason for you to be hostile. We are different and we are a Christian nation. The reason why even South Africa treats us with some restraint is because of what we have been. Please do not destroy our goodwill which we are known for. Love covers over a multitude of sin.
Its not the fault of the average zimbabweans but the fault of their president.That is why they have to go back to Zim and vote him out instead of running to Zambia.That will not solve their problems,it will just make the situation worse because zambians are getting fed up as well(with those insults we are recieving from Mugabe).
As a Zambian,if something were to happen in our country,were would we go?isnt it Zimbabwe?lets treat them like our brothers and sisters.Yes zed is only a third world country,and one of the poorest in the world,but does that mean we should put money before humanity?please lets have a heart,its not the ordinary zimbabweans fault,so dont use mugabe as an excuse to mistreat all the zimbabweans..think about what you post before you actually do
Theere is no point in attacking poor Zimbambweans. We need to focus on solving the problem in Zimbabwe. We all contributed to the mess in Zimbawe. It is ironic that many Zambians supported Mugabe until recently. Intelligent observers told you where the country was headed to. But many of you supported Mugabe and claimed he was a hero who was reclaiming land from white people. That is the problem with Africans very short sighted. Right now Africa is agong about Obama in the USA. And yet in Zambia Obama would have been attacked as foreigner. Remember the Kaunda story. It amazes me how short sighted Africans are ! I guess that is what explains why we are third world and backward.
Thank you Zambians, you have a heart and you are good people. We are brothers and sisters. I know our people in our country Zimbabwe are facing the hardship. My brother Bob is a very good strong leader, all he fought for was to see the people of Zim to be independent and free from the Whites. Zim will rise again. Support my brother Bob and the people of Zim
number 12 you are a d**khead!!! you still think your brother is right…………you need to go and lick his ASS.
#7,8,10,11, I agree with. There is no need for Zambians to start behaving like they have never surffered for people before. Zambians must be reminded that what is happening in Zimbabwe can happen anywhere else, including Zambia. And people can only run to where they think they will be safe-and Zimbabweans have got the right to choose. Those who have chosen Zambian must be welcome and not be sconed for their choice. Mind you no one wants to die. And from the look of things, going back to Zimbabwe will be like self-delivering into the lions’ den. In fact now that they are known they will be carefully monitored and forced into voting for Mugabe, for him to carry the day.
Like one blogger has..
…already pointed out-where do you think Zambians would run to should a similar thing happen. This is Africa, mind you. And you guys who are incitive. Remember that you are saying that because most of you are abroad in the comfort of a whiteman’s democracy. You could have been a zimbabwean and you wouldn’t have liked anyone forcing you to go where you think its not safe. Voting alone can never bring change. In fact in Africa (including Zambia) votes have ever been rigged and those who had been wanting to protest have been slapped down the way you do to a fly. Remember, love should not despair, but continue. Keep those brothers and sister. Ukulya kwamucimfya sana abena Zambia nomba?
We should help those destitute Zimbos. when the time is ripe, they will go back to their homes. At the moment, they need our support. We are Africans, lets share whatever little we have. As long as they are peaceful, lets accomodate them.
I will repeat what I said much earlier, i still need a maid and 10 farm workers from the Zimbo immigrants. I will soon advertise publicly.
Please, zed people continue to carry the spirit of love & kindness. God loves you all. Amen
#13 pointer, we need to help each other. And watch what you are writing young man. Robert was right and he knew what he was doing. Africa is not for White people, it’s for Black people.Africa lets love each other, no war on a black person. Shame to the South Africans who are killing their fellow africans. Zambia you are a very peaceful nation. Love your brothers and sisters from Zim.
Short memmories and long stories-That all we are doing as Zambains. I do not rejoice at the woes befalling Zimbabweans but would like to emphasise and ask Zimbabweans to declare that once things return to normal they will not behave like Austriches-but that they will treat us Zambains with dignity we deserve. If you never experienced anything at the hands of Zimbabweans then you are forgiven for being naive. These guys were chasing us Zambians like dogs at Livingstone Border-just for buying a loaf of bread. It is not long ago that they confiscated mechandize from our women folk at Livingstone Border accusing them of ‘finishing’ their goods-as if our women got them for free!!!
For those that crossed the borders in the 90’s, It was not a pleasant experience ,right guys??.
We did not know whether to put something in their back pocket or fear being arrested. It was one hell of a time.
They can not turn around and say we have treated them unfairly. Since the world is going more global, you will hear more unnecessary cries like the one in the article.
There is no country in the world at the moment with no foreignes in it. Let us grant political assylum to our brothers and sisiters from Zimbabwe. After all, we our heritage is very close.
Africa is generally cruel. All African leaders have a selfish heart.Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, Mozambique, Botswana, Namibia, RSA could have easily accommodated Zimbabweans in distress. Why did the front line states spend too much of the souls of their citizens during the struggle, only to give the country to another devil. It is a shame to see zimbabweans suffering so much and the rest of its neighbours pretending to be asleep. “don’t bother us we are sleeping” mentality is what makes Africa what it is today. You can’t enjoy your freedom and silence if your neighbour is being attacked and screaming
Zims also learn from this episode how others felt at the hands of your cruel Customs officers
Here in Asia, I’ve befriended alot of black and white Zimbos who migrated to Zambia before they came here. Look, we’re all after the same things in life and where some see it in the dim-lights of Lusaka, let them do it.
There a lot to learn from this calamity. We as Zims should not be bitter with any one because our own parent “the Govt” is the first to disown us. Our anger should be directed at our Govt. the Govt has driven us into a crisis, and we should not see others to solve it for us. We beg for lenience to our brothers and sisters crossing boarder 4 help. Zims also please desist from at all costs temptation to engage in any illegal activities. We ware a proud people, now destitutes. If God gives us time again we should learn to raise our voices higher when we see another country heading the path we have now traveled. For those who will give us a place, we thank you a million. We ‘ll not forget
we can solve this problem by looking at it in many different ways.
(a) as the president mwanawasa has said, Zambia has no resources to accommodate more people as we still have those that came from Rwanda, Congolese and Angolan nationals. The president is being realistic here. the people of Zim will just have to go back and deal with their problems.
(b) we can just say let them come and suffer all the consequences that come with it.
its your choice!!!!
help them, but they should not be inolved in crime
“For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me”.’
The word Christianity comes from the word CHRIST (Jesus Christ)……
Is ZAMBIA a Christian nation……….????????
Jesus said ” Not every one that calls me Lord, Lord shall be saved”.
People of ZAMBIA please Don`t Listen to mwanawasa has said about zimbabweans, but listen to what Christ is saying to You……just help them, rewards are from Heaven
You don`t need to be rich to help some one……..
i definitely agree with #27 noti akaso….the Zimbabweans are suffering at no fault of there own…so Ba Mwanawasa should take back his statement…we can atleast take in a few of them
Zimbabeans are all fools.
I agree with 27 and 28, however it is very important that Zimbabweans vote on the 27th lest the give ZANU-PF victory on a silver plata. For those whose lives are really in danger, I understand for fleeing but for those who can hang on till the election date..please do, so that there is a regime change which will result in a stable economy.
Zambian GRZ must focus on the needs of its citizens and look at foreigners as a last point on a ten point list of things to do as a government.
I am sure the lesson has been learnt by our Zim neighbours.Our Govt should find a way of accomodating some of the Zim refugees.One friend recited how some customs officers threw away her loaves of bread which she had purchased there during those SUPAloaf days saying you don’t need so many.
I have had the prevelege of studying with people from others countries like Rwanda Angola & Namibia and they all hold Zambia in high esteem.Nearly half of the Zims I ‘ve met were born in Zambia and are trying to get back their nationality at birth status.Let us not turn a blind eye but see how we can help them.It is just in our nature as Zambians to help another.
Here is a fact.
Africans cannot rule themselves.
Lets just bring back the Roy Welensky’s, De Clerks and Ian Smiths.
I’m sure after that, Africa will be developed and beautiful once again.
I retract my statement @ #33.
Extreme economic problems are no different from war! If one cannot find food, he will not just sit and wait for death, he will make a move! Inflation of over 1 million means no food on the table for those in urban areas. Peasants who scavenge on the land might have some miserable meals. This kind of thing if it had hit Zambia, I ma sure a lot of people would have crossed borders. The question is, what can other countries do to help solve the problem? There is this sovereinity thing which make SADC helpless even when a country proceeds dangerously into anarchy. The other thing is lack of resources to intervene financially or militarily! God help, we can only watch even when mass killing hapen
Ba fikamba mulekwata uluse! Lekeni ba zimbo bekale..that is if they can and if they wont promote crime…ala!
I wonder what has happened to Hospitable and peace loving mother Zambia. May be the exponents of Hospitality and peace are long gone. Maybe its because of watching too much programs from South Africa that slowly by slowly we starting to be like them. Who can imagine that a leader like Mulongoti can utter these words:
“We are continuously being inconvenienced as a people of Zambia,” Mulongoti told IRIN. “We can’t continue to deny that there’s something wrong going on there [in Zimbabwe] because their people are now coming onto our soil in thousands. They [Zimbabweans] are all over the place.” I wonder where we are going as a nation. Maybe our country has gone to the dogs.
Let us look after our brothers from zim, we have always done that.I guess we have built a reputation of the brothhers’ keeper, and we can up hold this as our achievement.Definitely, we can not build a wealthy nation no matter who takes over.Even if we were to mine copper the whole country.So, while saying this let be indful to take care of te basic needs of our general population lest they revolt and take it out on the foreigners as SA pipo did.What I’m saying fellow-zeds let do what we are known for, what we are good at.The pres statement was abit irresponsible, though.Are da 25000 zimbos already in zed? Coz Info min. refuted the story outright.
In this world, you cannot mistreat a person who greatly assisted you (with a great sacrifice) in time of need and expect them to warmly receive when you get into trouble again.
The fate that has befallen Zimbabweans is saddening indeed. For all I know, had the likes of Mbeki, Mozambique and Namibia not been aiding and sustaining this killing machine, these people would have been able to rid themselves of this dry old fool already by now. The blood of all Zimbabweans and all their miseries rest on the laurels of no other than Thabo Mbeki. Zimbabweans, not just Sekuru Mugabe toiled to offload the yoke of apartheid from all South Africans, including no other than Govan Mbeki, and this is how Govan’s own son repays them!
Zimbabweans are not friendly pipo. let them remain in their country and solve their problems. No one should be seen to solve their created problems!
#1 could also retract the statement you made in 1, that is a very negative way of starting this blog. I was in RSA not long ago and I spoke to the guy who was offering transport services, he complianed of how there are not opportunities in RSA, and I told him, maybe you should look harder, I pointed out a few to him. This is one statement which he said which I think holds true for everybody, he said, “it looks like as a foreigner you see opportunities that locals do not see” and it is true even in Zambia, in #1 you might not see the opportunities that others see in this country. And who defined us that we are poor, and why third world, I thought third world means countries that became…
… independent after the second world war, that is just a historical definition, which does not count when it comes to economic prosperity. You see ladies and gentlement let us not get trapped in what others want us to be, let us define our own rules of engagement. People will tell 50% of zambians leave ofn less than a dollar a day as such 50% of zambians are poor. But there is something call purchase power parity (PPP) what I can get in zambia for dollar will definitely not be equivalent in beneficial value to what I get in UK, Japan or US. But guess what it has become a way of life for us to use these words without recourse to simple reasoning and we want to live by these rules created by
… these rules created by someone else. I personally think we are a rich country, it can resource wise or otherwise, all that remains is for us as zambians to develop the killer instinct that is common among jews to make the best out of this situation. I spoke to someone who comes from Syria, and guess what he told ne that, our honey which is purely orgabic, in Syria can be sold for as high as US$20 per liter yet we buy those containers at Kapiri for something like US$5. So the opportunities are many we just have to look out for them, when Mwanawasa took over the US$/ZMK exchange rate was at 1 – 4,200 now it is at 1 – 3500, that 700 kwacha more doesn’t seem much but ask someone who sells…
… fuel where the profits are something like 200 kwacha a liter.
Zimbos you are welcome….!
Pity that most contributions here pass for weasel generalisations! Rather the question I want to ask the Zimbos is, How do they hope to change things in Zim if half its population (the youthful and able bodied I must add) have all run away? Surely this is a sure way of perpetuating Bob’s stay in power. To be a guest in someone’s home implies that you know your departure date and your host is aware of it, or else overstaying breeds resentment; especially if guest urinated on your head the last time you hosted them like the Zimbos did when they got their indepence in 1980! Maybe if Nkhomo had won things would have turned out different. That’s what Zed was crucified for, supporting Nkhomo.
…..I DON’T BELIEVE ZAMBIANS THAT I HAVE ALWAYS KNOWN AND PAST THROUGH THE HARDSHIPS OF ZAMBIA’S ECONOMY SOME TIME BACK WOULD BE SAYING SUCH BAD THINGS ABOUT WELCOMING AND HELPING ZIMBAMBWEANS. ITS EITHER YOU ARE JUST BEING FOOLISH, DULL AND FORGETFUL OR EXTREMELY XENOPHOBIC MORE THAN THE SOUTH AFRICAN *****S….VERY SHAMEFUL AND UNBELIEVABLE!!!!
Ala mwandi I dont know why the Zimbos are complaining about becaused a cross section of a society will be judged by te behaviour of the majority. You should see the way these Zimbos are even willing to be married to a Zedian for free they say ” Marry me without lobola even to street kids” to run away from their woos. These people used to make us feel like fourth class citizens when we went to their country for Business not knowing that what goes round comes round. Am not advocating for negativity towards these Zimbos as God himself will reward them for the seeds they were sowing, just go back home and do the honourable thing and vote Bob out or vote for the other fella. Peace!
The more people running away from Zim the longer Bob will stay in Power. Think about it my Brothers and Sisters wherever you are.
Ndate Mwanana I like your reasoning. I also think that Nkhomo was a more genuine fella than this Shona man RGB, maybe he would have done a better job of Zimbabwe. It is increasingly becoming difficult for anyone world over to sympathise with ZIM because frankly they lack the most basic human attribute, humility. Please do us a favour Ndate, next time leave the first part of the sentence about weasels, they are not a pleasant animal and it might affect the way people read your contributions, its advice; you can take or leave it.
I know a system that can filter out derogatory words such as fool, stupid, sex, *****, imbecile etc, could LT introduce that system here, just a thought!
The word Xenophobia doesn’t exist in any Zambian language. It can’t even be translated. I was treated very well when I was in Zimbabwe once in the mid 90s…so I will always be kind to them.
pliz lets forgive those customs officers for beating us (i was once a victim).lets welcome them and share the little we have.lets have pity although alot forgot after independence.zimbabwe we will be free again. God pliz they have learnt that in life you do dont turn your back from a person who helps you in times of trouble.just like south africans are doing now, they have forgotten.Pliz God help African leaders change and help those they rule.
TO ALL THE ZIMS….
Whatever Monsters are beating you up ZIMBABWEANS in ZIM.
Remember to COURAGEOUSLY GO BACK TO VOTE THEM OUT!
YOU SHOULD GO TO VOTE!
YOU ARE WELCOME BUT GO BACK TO VOTE AND COME TO CONTINUE
LOOKING FOR JOBS. IT TAKES US AN AVERAGE OF 2 YEARS TO GET A
JOB…
HERE IN ZAMBIA.
GOOD LUCK!!!
#51, meant no offense, my apology if it offends you that much.
41. ( James …. you should go and beg for forgiveness on sunday from the MIGHTY JEHOVAH… Christians must never be fools… Forgive always…
You will never lose anything.. its not a barter system… no costs involved…
Just let them come… They shall go back at one point or another… Don’t you think so James?
We shall help Zimbabweans today, the next day when all is well in Zimbabwe like in South Africa they will be killing us,”xenophobic counties” .
NO (58. Fr Mwansa)…. That will be their fault… Let them stay… We shall forgive them I stress…
We forgive the Zimbabweans for their mistreatment of zambians in the 80s and 90s. Let us treat hem well including those prostitutes. We have prostitutes in Zambia too. The only solution is for zambian men to avoid prostituting and these zimbabwean women will have no one to prostitute with.
These Zimbabweans are our cousins. They are not our brothers and sisters. So we should screw them before they go back!!! Those selling cornflakes by Kabwata bars!!
It is more likely that you are the one who will be screwed #61. When I last checked, Zimbabwe has a higher rate of HIV/AIDS than Zambia. Please keep your brains in the right place, not in your pants.
According to the great misleader Thabo Mbeki, there is no crisis here.
62″ if your father’s brains were in his right place, you wouldnt be blogging with us you rat! Thats why Morgan should lose so that we continue screwing our sisters selling cornflakes!
Lets kick out all Zims, in early 80’s when their economy was doing good, yhey use to kick out Zambians as their step children. Today they want us to call them brothers? We are better of bring in ba Kasai from DR Congo, those are our true brothers. Zims they are just spreading AIDS/HIV pa Zed. We are tired with them stealing and their women been prostutes in Zed.
I agree with you
Welcome back prof
# 57 you made a mistake, you should have said seventh not sunday.don’t mislead pipo
God warned the Israelites not to mistreat foreigners in their territory for one reason: they too were aliens in a foreign land (Egypt). In other words they knew how it felt to be oppressed in the land where they had taken refuge. This is the reason why I feel South Africa is digging its own grave unless they choose to repent. Zambia should resist this sin at all cost and never allow ourselves to fall into that trap. Remember our good history with KK.
“Do not mistreat an alien or oppress him, for you were aliens in Egypt.” Exodus 22:21
Um perhaps a controlled immigration system would help, were we encourage those who can contribute to our economy to come in and assist those who need to go back and oust mugabe.Zambia is relatively a poor country and we cant afford to open our borders just like that.
On the other hand shouldnt our leaders now start seeing realithy and encourage mugabe to step down with or without elections, other than saying theres no crisis!
#42-45 Mwinga, very interesting comment. Well thought out contribution.
#68. ZIMANDOLA… It does not matter when you pray and where you beg for forgiveness… He can do it on the way to the toilet at night… Dont be a hypocrite ZIMANDOLA!
#64. Fr Milingo… Dont be wreckless in your thoughts and deeds… Change or you shall perish… What do you get from illicit sex? Refrain from such behaviour… ZIMS you are welcome!!!!
I welcome you Zimbos if you just come and organise yourselves to eject Mugabe, the real cause of your misery, and earn a living the legal way. But if you just want to come and sit, letting foreigners to fight your Bob, and engage in crime as a source of livelihood, I will call you anything and work to eject you out of my country.
#23, your comment is humbling!
Fish is fresh when it is still in water. lets enjoy them while they are here since we cant burn them like the south africans. lets make them enjoy our beds!!!
#65. Kaponya pa Zed… Forget about the past!!! Let them come…
Just work hard and think about your next meal!!! Leave the ZIMS
alone!!!
DOnt even remember what they did!!!
67: thanx my bro. enjoying yo comments. had been out of the weather. who ever swallows a pestle has chosen to sleep standing. I sure Zimabweans know this too weLL!
56, thanks for your maturity and understanding. 71 thanks for your kind words.
excuse my ignorance, Prof. what is a PESTLE? I like the saying by the way.
pestle mwinshi
There’s no need for Zambians to receive Zimbabweans, as it is zambia can’t sustain the economical needs of a few zambians who re there.Let the Zambian citizens haven enough resources that’s when they can extend a hand to other countries like Zimbabwe. If those people come in things will just worsen in Zambia.
I think us Zambians r different from all countries south of our borders because we r very civilised. We dont have terminology similar to makwerekwere for example, we embrace foreigners with all our hearts and humility. Its just that the present times have taught us that the less civilized southerners dont know how to say thank you, they have very short memories like chickens. To help them acquire good long memory is to give them what they cannot forget, close borders and wait until their govt calls for help! What type of animal can be worse than one who will pour petro on you, set you ablaze and laugh as you screem to death, what physical pain can be more than fire on your skin? God forbid!
Gentlemen, it looks like most of you have swollen pockets and are abusing these Zimbabwean traders selling Bentos and biscuits! how shameful!
It saddens me to note how people can be so insensitive and brutish to their neighbors. Two wrongs do not make a right. They might have mistreated us during our hardships but that must not be an excuse. Umwana ashenda atasha nyina ukunaya! If those who want Zimbabweans to be mistreated have been outside Zambia they can know how it hurts to be mistreated by another.
Remember that Africa is one, borders only divide us. Colonialism conditioned us to hurt each other and we bought that. Its high time to wake up and realize that development, our development depends on our relationships with the whole Africa.
Zedians. am told smoking bas been banned. was out of reach of the net. then masebo shud ban farting on crowded buses or wearing acrid strong perfume in enclosed spaces!!! haha. continue with yo Zimbabbwe debate!
Go to Zimbabwe now and see for yourself what is happening, maybe you won’t utter those words. Soon am going to Zimbabwe to go and help those suffering. I will come and update u on the happenings. Let us remember Zimbabwe in our prayers and may the Almighty God soften your hearts of stone.
Thank you to all those who want what is best for Zimbabwe.
#15 great words. No one chooses to be faced with atrocities. Help when your help is needed and vice-versa will happen. I understand that we cant handle so many immigrants, but we must help where we can. A man shouldnt treat his fellow man with contempt…especially not a fellow african man.
resentment toward zimbos is a result of historical experiences. zimbos were given refuge in the region and as soon as they became independent they forgot about their past, became arrogant and unappreciative of what zedian and mozambique did for them. they literary insulted zambians on several occasions when their economy was a little sound. it’s karma now. let them feel the YOYO effects now may be they will eevntually becaome humble and appreciative of their neighbors sacrifices for them.
Once beaten twice shy.
lumpen
lumpen
Bwoy rKelly, wah dat? Tink seh we can’t overstand yu racist insults? Selber Lump! Verschwinde! Plus tell yu government to compensate me Herero bredren dem for de massacre in de 1950s an de genocide in Tanzania too. Wanna seh what now?
Bravo to every Zedian for we have big hearts. Let’s play it our way my beloved brothers and sister. Viva hospitality, lets show the small guys that we are above these trivial issues by treating them in a way they do not deserve. Indeed basing on the way they treated us in their limited hearts, they deserve harshness from us but lets show them that we are bigger than that by opening our arms to them. But, there is always a ‘but’ Zed dudes keep your zips fastened. There is a blessing in that and if they are sensible they will live to remember. What can Zimbos reward us with??? So our reward will come from the creator. Can’t you see our economy is looking up. You never know when God steps in.
#91, talk straight bra, I can barely get you! Wasn’t the Herero/Nama massacre (by Germans), 1904 – 1909, in SW Africa (Namibia)? In the 1950s, what happened was the forced removal by Boers of blacks from a place now called ‘Pioneers Park’ to ‘Katutura’ in Windhoek. Not aware of any genocide in Tz., maybe your’re referring to the one of 1995 in Rwanda . It’s just that it’s good to be factual when making a point, you earn respect.
Crazy Zambian #1,2 I take great exception to your comments. You seem to have not caught the gist of the article. I am a mere spectator of the happenings but when you seem to mislead the masses with your shallow comments about things that have broader implications, then that must be addressed immediately. You seem to understand ‘greener pasture’ to mean greater economic prospects alone: infact that may be true for those who are running to Zambia,not becoz Z boasts of a huge economy (as in your words) but because they can trade and make a living in a conducive environment ie without fear of harassment by Mugabe and his cohorts. If I may add some further perspective…
What the F#CK is SADC there for????????
.. Zambia maybe all those things (high unemployment etc) but for some it may be a break they are looking for from the tyranny in their own country. And if I may quote one of the Zimbabweans quoted in the article:”….Everyone is suddenly saying bad things about us. Just the other day, someone called me a prostitute as I was selling my products [sweets, chocolates and biscuits] in town.”…this means for the lady, Zambia provides the ‘greener pasture” . Therefore the story inst about any ‘success story’, its about a lot more than that. Thats why Zimbabwean are reportedly running away from hostile SA even if, as the article rightly put it, boasts of the continent’s largest economy.
#96 Of the comments posted on this article, yours i think is the most substantial. As a zambian international student living in a multicultural first world country, i find that(after reading many of these comments), we are a long way from distinguishin between needs and wants… Asuccess story is a success story, it doesnt have to be “from rugs to riches”..hers is a success story…
Sorry for the sad outbursts and commentaries on you Zimbabwe people. Things will change for you people some day, but brace yourselves for they may not be that much better.
It will take time and effort, but do not give up on Zimbabwe. It is your country and you need to be free in your own place. Therefore, strive to make things better for yourselves for no foreigners will solve your problems seriously.
This is just a passing phase and so be strong Zim. brothers and sisters. We are watching with keen interest.
Thanks Jrw #97, I must add that much as we understand our frustrations as Zambians, we must never allow anything to erode our strong sense of values and humanity which we have been known for- not even a twist of truth. I am proud to be Zambian partly becoz of my rich heritage – not becoz I should blindly defend anything shameful about Zambia (which others would call poorest,high unemployment, third world etc),but because I believe there is something special about Zambia which eludes those with shallow hearts and minds. Some former refugees are proud to be associated with Zambia more than most Zambians I know! I should be headed back HOME to Zambia soon, my God willing! God help Zimbabwe
Number 1 you are a trailor load trash don’t “open your mouth” and say what you don’t know !! What success story are you talking about ?
3. Chama Chamina ba Kolwe,
” Who would feel pity for Zimbabweans when their President is busy insulting Zambia? ”
What control do ordinary people have over what one politician says to another politician? And this is supposed to justify hostility to Zimbabweans?? How pathetic.
We all have a human heart, but i wish some of you have lived in Livingstone?It is not safe to walk around 20 hrs in the night, the Zimbabweans are now involved in crimes,serious ones.Why should a poor Zambian again help them with the little resources we have?We need to protect our little resources we have to our children, Hsp, Edu,food basket you may name them.Moreover, the Zimbabwean Immigrations in the 90s where chasing us at the border when entering there country, food was not allowed to leave Zim.I have witnessed this, they have no human heart at all.Sorry, i can’t forgive you Zim.Now our dear President is insulted?What is this?
Brothers ansd sisters, Zimbabweans and Zambians share a unique and special kind of relationship going back to the days of the Federation. That is why you will find Zimbabweans staying permanently in Zambia and Zambians staying permanently in Zimbabwe. My next door neighbour is a very nice Zambian family called the Mulengas who came to settle here in the 1980s.
This is human nature, and when things normalized in Zambia, some of the Zambians went back home. Zimbabweans will also go back home sooner than you think;please accommodate them for now whilst they sort out their challenges!