Many carried large suitcases and bags, but most notably,
basic food items, some of which were being wrapped and packed by those working
at the rank. “In God we trust” was inscribed on some of the buses headed to the
country’s 10 provinces.
Among the returnees was Solomon Ndlovu from Chegutu who has
been living in South Africa since 1990. He had been dreading the trip for
months, but decided to head home to cast his vote, hoping it will bring some
change for his family.
“I am not in South Africa by choice, but by poverty. Maybe
if I vote this time around things will
change for real. And if they do, I will happily go back home.”
On Wednesday, 23 August 2023, more than six million
registered residents will head to the polls to elect Zimbabwe’s next president,
local council representatives and members of parliament.
The presidential race – which is mainly between Nelson
Chamisa, leader of the main opposition Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC),
and Emmerson Mnangagwa, the incumbent president and leader of the Zimbabwe
African National Union – Patriotic Front (Zanu-PF) – is expected to be tight.
For Ndlovu, change means a stable economy that can create
jobs. He was barely concerned about who would take over. “I do not care about
politics, but change for us, ordinary people.”
I believe Chamisa is the right man for the job, he is young
[45] and he understands the severity of the suffering we have endured.
South Africa is home to more than 700,000 Zimbabweans,
according to preliminary data released by the Zimbabwe National Statistics
Agency.
Unlike the citizens of many other countries, the diaspora
in South Africa need to travel home if they wish to vote because there is no
voting option outside the country.
Zanu-PF has governed the country since independence – for
43 years – and won 50.7% of the vote in the 2018 elections, according to The
Outlier.
Returning to Zimbabwe means high travel costs, which are
unaffordable for many living in the country. The cheapest standard bus ticket
costs R750 (one way), and can be as much as R1,200, depending on dates and
availability.
Jabulani Sibanda of Gweru said he was heading home because,
unlike Zimbabweans in South Africa who struggle to make ends meet, he had the
financial means and wanted to do the right thing.
“We are tired,” he said.
“I am voting because I want things to get better. I have
been voting since the early 1990s but things have remained the same or gotten
worse.
“I believe Chamisa is the right man for the job, he is
young [45] and he understands the severity of the suffering we have
endured.”
For Sibanda, change means employment and better working
conditions, because, as things stand, “there are no trade unions; they know
that people are desperate and hungry so they take advantage”.
A bus rank marshal who asked not to be identified said he
was pleasantly surprised by the number of people using buses to head back home
in the past week.
Ordinarily, about four buses were released a day, but
lately the number had tripled, forcing them to even outsource additional buses.
“Many people have been going to Zimbabwe. I was wondering
why because it is not holidays and it is mid-month, it is never so busy.”
There will never be change in Zim, Mnagangwa will rule
until Jesus comes back.
By contrast, while people were leaving in numbers, some
were arriving in Johannesburg, mostly from Bulawayo and Harare, saying they had
no interest in voting. Those who spoke to Daily Maverick cited far more
important matters they needed to attend to in South Africa, including study
applications, visiting loved ones and work.
Daily Maverick was denied access to a bigger Zimbabwe bus
rank on Simmonds Street, Braamfontein, because “it is private property”.
Barely 2km from the rank are several businesses including
salons, eateries and retail shops where many Zimbabweans work. Theirs was a
different tale.
Tatenda Karongwe, a barber, opted to remain in South Africa
because he believed the election would not bring about any material change for
the ordinary citizens.
Above all, he was concerned about the flawed electoral
processes.
“I would rather send the money [for bus fare] to my family
than go home just to vote.
“There will never be change in Zim, Mnagangwa will rule
until Jesus comes back – it does not matter if people vote or not, he will
always win.”
Hairdresser Colani Ngwenya echoed those sentiments. “Voting
in Zimbabwe is a waste of time. Everyone is not happy, that’s why we are here.
It is even worse for people at home who see poverty every day. They vote but
nothing happens; he [Mngagangwa} will still win.”
A view from Beitbridge – ‘It is not good to be a native of
nowhere’
A small number of Zimbabweans were crossing the Beitbridge
border outside Musina into Zimbabwe early on Tuesday morning. Others were
coming from Zimbabwe to South Africa.
Speaking at the border, Steven Chuma, a truck driver in
South Africa, said he was not going home to vote due to work commitments.
Besides, he feared Zanu-PF would rig the elections.
“Those results must be counted properly without rigging.
People can vote for their president if they want, I am working here in South
Africa and have registered to vote in Zimbabwe, but unfortunately due to the
pressure of my profession I won’t go to vote,” said Chuma.
He said the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission should display
the results immediately outside each polling station to avoid tampering with
the results.
Life in South Africa, he added, was better than in Zimbabwe
since basic groceries were cheaper.
Another Zimbabwean at the border, Thomas Moyo, said he was
going home to vote, and is optimistic that the polls will bring about positive
changes in the country which was once the breadbasket of southern Africa.
“I think there is hope my vote is for change. CCC might
take the lead. People are tired of Zanu-PF, no jobs… everything is scattered in
Zimbabwe. My vote is for change. In Zimbabwe it’s difficult, here in South
Africa everything’s okay,” said Moyo.
Residents who live just across the border at Beitbridge,
who come to the small town of Musina to buy basics, also had mixed feelings
about the elections. Some said they were going to vote while others were not
keen. Daily Maverick
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