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Zimbabweans count their toes as inflation soars above 130 percent

Published

3 years ago

June 10, 2022

VicFallsLive

BY FARAI MUTSAKA

Battling rampant inflation, Zimbabweans are counting their toes as they struggle to buy food for their families.

An internet rumour blazed through the country that desperate people were selling their toes for cash.

The false report became so widespread that the country’s deputy minister of Information Kindness Paradza visited street vendors in central Harare earlier this month to debunk it.

One-by-one the traders took off their shoes to show that they had all 10 toes, as Zimbabwe’s state media recorded the digital investigation.

Paradza declared the toes-for-money story a hoax, as did local and foreign fact-checkers.

Police later arrested a street vendor who now faces a fine or six months in jail on charges of criminal nuisance for allegedly starting the story.

It’s starkly true, however, that Zimbabweans are finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet.

Since the start of Russia’s war in Ukraine, Zimbabwe’s inflation rate has shot up from 66 percent to more than 130 percent, according to official statistics.

The war in Ukraine has exacerbated inflation rising around the world. Consumer prices in the 19 European Union countries that use the euro currency surged 8.1 percent in May, a record rate as energy and food costs climb.

In the United States and the United Kingdom, annual inflation hit or was close to 40-year highs of 8.3 percent and nine percent, respectively, in April.

Turkey approached Zimbabwe’s eye-watering prices, with inflation reaching 73.5 percent in May, the highest in 24 years.

In Zimbabwe, the impact of the Ukraine war is heaping problems on the already fragile economy.

The war “coupled with our historical domestic imbalances, has created challenges in terms of economic instability seen through the currency volatility and spilling over into price volatility,” Finance minister Mthuli Ncube told Parliament in May.

Teachers “can no longer afford bread and other basics, this is too much,” tweeted the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe in early June.

The three largest teachers’ unions are demanding the government pay their salaries in U.S. dollars because their pay in local currency is “eroded overnight.”

“Because of high inflation, the local currency is collapsing,” economic analyst Prosper Chitambara told The Associated Press.

“Individuals and companies no longer trust the local currency and that has put pressure on the demand for United States dollars.

“The Ukraine war is simply exacerbating an already difficult situation.”

Many fear Zimbabwe could return to the hyperinflation of 2008 which reached 500 billion percent, according to the International Monetary Fund. At that time, plastic bags full of 100 trillion Zimbabwe dollar banknotes were not enough to buy basic groceries.

The economic catastrophe forced then-President Robert Mugabe to form a “unity government” with the opposition and adopt a multi-currency system in 2009 in which US dollars and the South African rand were accepted as legal tender.

The US dollar continues to dominate with prices in local currency often benchmarked to the rates for the American currency on the flourishing illegal market, where most individuals and companies get their foreign currency.

Across the country, currency traders line the streets and crowd entrances to shopping centres waving wads of both the local currency and US dollars.

Many Zimbabweans who earn in local currency such as government workers are forced to source dollars on the illegal market, where exchange rates are soaring, to pay for goods and services that are increasingly being charged in US dollars.

Retailers said the rising rates for US dollars on the illegal market are forcing them to frequently increase prices, often every few days, to allow them to restock.

The once-prosperous southern African country’s economy is battered by years of de-industrialization, corruption, low investment, low exports and high debt.

Zimbabwe struggles to generate an adequate inflow of greenbacks needed for its largely dollarized local economy.

Ordinary Zimbabweans are returning to coping mechanisms they relied on during the hyperinflationary era such as skipping meals.

Others now buy food items in smaller quantities, sometimes in such tiny packages they are enough for just a single meal.

Locals call them “tsaona,” meaning “accident” in the local Shona language.

Promising better days ahead, Ncube, the finance minister, said the government “will not hesitate to act and intervene to cushion against price increases and exchange rate volatility.”

Many are sceptical of such vows from the government, saying nothing short of a miracle will pull Zimbabwe out of its economic crisis.

Even while coping with constantly rising prices, many can’t help making grim jokes about the situation.

“I still have all my toes intact but it wouldn’t hurt selling one,” chuckled Harare resident Asani Sibanda.

“I could still walk without it, but my family would at least get some food.” – AP

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Conservation amid crisis: How VFWT adapted to 2024 drought

Published

1 day ago

September 5, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

The Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust (VFWT) has released its 2024 Impact Report, detailing a year marked by unprecedented challenges due to severe drought conditions across Zimbabwe and much of Southern Africa. The report highlights the organization’s strategic adaptations to support local wildlife and communities during one of the most difficult drought years on record.

Unlike previous droughts where water scarcity was the primary concern, this year underscored a more complex reality. VFWT Chairperson Bruno De Leo emphasized that the lack of grazing for both wildlife and livestock emerged as an even greater threat. Animals had to venture farther for food, increasing the potential for human-wildlife conflict and competition for dwindling resources. De Leo noted, “The year 2024 underscored the importance of connectivity for wildlife and the need to maintain corridors that allow movement and relieve pressure on natural resources.”

In response to these challenges, VFWT implemented several proactive measures. Collaborating with the rural communities involved in its Herding 4 Hope project, VFWT facilitated early livestock sales to minimize losses and planned for dry-season grazing in more distant areas to conserve energy among livestock. The organization also focused on regenerating boreholes to ensure that villages without adequate water had access to crucial resources.

Notably, VFWT’s Wildlife Disease & Forensics Laboratory made significant strides, establishing itself as a key player in wildlife forensics. In 2024, the laboratory handled over 280 cases and engaged in crucial research on transboundary animal diseases affecting regional wildlife. The lab successfully validated targeted sequencing for species identification using new technologies, reinforcing its capabilities in addressing wildlife crime. Remarkably, the lab played an integral role in international ivory seizure investigations and developed a genetic panel for black rhinos, demonstrating a strong commitment to combatting poaching and ensuring species protection.

A particularly significant initiative was the launch of a tuberculosis surveillance project for lions within Hwange National Park. Following confirmed deaths from the disease, this project seeks to assess its prevalence among the lion population and understand transmission dynamics. With nine lions set to be sampled in late 2025, the data gathered will contribute to vital conservation knowledge.

The report emphasizes the importance of continued support from donors and stakeholders, enabling VFWT to maintain healthy animal populations and develop sustainable solutions for the future of biodiversity in the region. In a challenging year, the dedication and adaptability of the VFWT team stood out, reinforcing its commitment to conservation and community engagement.

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ZTA gears up for tourism month with significant expo in Mutare

Published

1 day ago

September 5, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY STAFF REPORTER

Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) is poised for a vibrant September as it kicks off Tourism Month activities, highlighted by the highly anticipated Sanganai/Hlanganani Kumbanayi Tourism Expo in Mutare.

This year’s event set for the 10th to the 12th of this month is set to showcase the country’s diverse tourism offerings and foster investment opportunities.

At a press conference held today in Harare and shared by the ZTA on X, Barbara Rwodzi, the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, expressed optimism regarding this year’s edition, asserting that it will be a “resounding success.”

The Expo features a robust lineup of activities, attracting participation from 83 international buyers from key source markets, 11 local buyers, and a total of 411 registered exhibitors.

Minister Rwodzi emphasized the ongoing infrastructure upgrades in Manicaland, which include improved road conditions, the refurbishment of the Grand Reef Aerodrome, daily flights operated by Air Zimbabwe, and a luxury train service connecting Harare and Mutare. These enhancements are anticipated to stimulate job creation and promote long-term economic growth.

Joined by Deputy Minister, Tongai Mnangagwa, Rwodzi acknowledged the role of the media in amplifying the visibility of the Expo and urged for continued coverage to maximize outreach.

In addition to the Expo, Tourism Month will feature a Tourism Symposium, various sports tourism activities, including a marathon, and celebrations for World Tourism Day, marking September as a pivotal moment for Zimbabwe’s tourism sector.

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Binga Kasambabezi marathon set to promote local tourism and community engagement

Published

2 days ago

September 4, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

The inaugural Binga Kasambabezi Marathon is poised to become a flagship event in Binga, promoting local tourism and community engagement.

Recent Ncube, Local Organizing Chair for the marathon, shared the inspiration behind the event and its potential impact on the local community.

“As a preparatory marathon for the Vic Falls event, 10 wellness athletes who used to jog in the morning decided to craft the Binga Kasambabezi Marathon,” Ncube explained.

Event Details
– Route and Distance: “The marathon starts at the Binga Freedom Square and the same venue acts as the finishing line,” Ncube stated.
– Participant Numbers*: The organizers expect around 1500 participants.
– Support Systems: “We have five hydration stations manned by AFC, Netone, Kmtc and others,” Ncube revealed.

Cultural Significance and Community Engagement
The marathon will be accompanied by a cultural festival, featuring traditional events. “On the 26th of September we have a full dish of cultural events such as Chilimba, Ngoma also displays by herbalist, curvers, weavers and traditional games by schools,” Ncube added.

Future Plans
This year’s event marks the 8th edition of the marathon, and the organizers plan to continue hosting it annually. “We will continue to assert Binga district as the place to be yearly,” Ncube emphasized.

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