Zimbabwe: An Unsustainable Paradise

When I returned to Zimbabwe in May 2024, after spending 19.5 years in the UK, I came back brimming with hope. As someone who lives by faith and hope, I allowed these principles to guide my decision. I have always believed in giving credit where it is due, and Zimbabwe offers freedoms that are simply unparalleled compared to the UK. In areas such as self-defence and the ability to protect one’s property, Zimbabwe stands in a league of its own. This distinction alone sets the two nations miles apart.

However, my initial optimism was laced with naivety. As I write this, I have been back for exactly 7 months, 14 days, 18 hours, and 30 seconds, having left Heathrow on May 25, 2024, at 8:00 PM and arriving in Zimbabwe on May 26, 2024, at 12:30 PM. In this short time, my perspective has evolved dramatically.

Zimbabwe has immense potential. It could be one of the best countries in the world, not just in the region. It is an investor’s dream—a land with untapped opportunities waiting to be explored. Yet, it is this same potential that amplifies its tragedy. Zimbabwe is, in many ways, unsustainable, plagued by issues that render it a paradoxical "unsustainable paradise."

A Country of Extremes

Zimbabwe’s beauty is undeniable. Its landscapes are breathtaking, its cities—Harare, Mutare, Bulawayo—carry a certain charm, even if many areas are no longer what they once were. Some parts reflect development, while others are marred by decay. It is a country of extremes, with little balance or middle ground.

This duality extends to everyday life. For most Zimbabweans, the daily grind is fraught with challenges. The economy is unstable, electricity supply is unreliable due to incessant load shedding, and the roads are in dire need of maintenance. Traffic enforcement is virtually non-existent, water shortages are frequent, and public services often fail to meet basic needs.

Beyond these systemic issues lies a deeper cultural problem. A lack of accountability, poor time management, and a general failure to keep promises make operating in Zimbabwe frustrating and disheartening. The culture of mistrust and inefficiency creates barriers for individuals and businesses alike.

A Personal Encounter

Yesterday, I visited TM Pick n Pay in Rusape. I bought two items: bacon and Sensodyne toothpaste. The bacon was a luxury—I wanted to treat a guest to a proper breakfast. The toothpaste, however, was a necessity. Logic would suggest that the bacon, being an indulgence, would be the more expensive of the two. Surprisingly, it wasn’t.

The bacon cost USD $8.61, while the Sensodyne toothpaste came to an eye-watering $10.23. The total? $18.84 for two items, one of which was a basic necessity. This is the reality for many Zimbabweans.

The Root of the Problem

Fly-by-night businesspeople, driven by greed, have abandoned long-term sustainability for immediate profits. Prices are set at astronomical levels, making basic goods inaccessible for the average person. Zimbabwe’s economic system has created a society with no middle class—only the rich and the poor. You either thrive or struggle; there is no in-between.

This unsustainable model erodes the very fabric of society. Trust, integrity, and community values are being replaced by short-sighted opportunism.

The Hardest Decision

It is with a heavy heart that I have decided to leave Zimbabwe again. Despite the joy I’ve felt being back in the land of my birth, the challenges are insurmountable for someone like me. Zimbabwe has immense potential, but that potential remains out of reach for the average citizen.

Final Thoughts

Zimbabwe is a country of contradictions. It is a place of breathtaking beauty and boundless potential, yet it is held back by systemic and cultural issues. It is, in every sense, an unsustainable paradise.

For Zimbabwe to thrive, profound changes must occur—economically, culturally, and structurally. Until then, the dream of a sustainable paradise will remain just that: a dream.

Let this reflection spark a conversation about what Zimbabwe could become if it were to truly embrace its potential and make the changes so desperately needed.