Zimbabweans hailed for hard working

Zimbabweans have been hailed for their hard work and resilience to the negative challenges rocking the country political and economical.

A Zimbabwean media business mogul Trevor Ncube described the Zimbabweans as people who have a tough life but honest living.

"Every time I drive around Harare, Zimbabwe I am humbled by the spirit and resilience of my people. They are generally not sitting around waiting for a government handout. I think they long gave up on that. They work hard. Buy and sell. Hustle to make ends meet and make an honest living," he wrote on his facebook wall. "Driving past Siyaso, Mbare Wednesday morning l could not help but notice the buzz around this place. Things are happening. It's business with a difference."

"A woman sitting under a tree caught my attention. Her makeshift counter and the few items on display got me thinking. How much does she make a day?What made her do what she is doing?"

"Could she have done any better by going to South Africa like me and many of my compatriots? These questions and her image stuck to my mind until I got to my office. The journalist in me wanted these questions answered."

Ncube said he immediately sought the help of one of his star photographers Cynthia Matonhodze to take a picture and answer these question. "Her name is Juliet Chikata and 28 years old. She is married and a mother of two young kids. Her children live in Murehwa with their grandmother. Juliet and her husband can not afford to live with the children," said Ncube.

"On a good day Juliet makes a profit of $5 selling mostly airtime and cigarettes. Rain messes up Juliet's business."

Ncube wrote that Juliet's husband is a scrap metal collector and on a good day he can bring home $20. She described the husbands occupation as "junga" (a gamble ) because there are no guarantees that he will always bring money home.

"Juliet used to be a cross-border trader. She travelled between Botswana and South Africa until she got broke. She says she wishes she could go back to cross-border trading despite the ongoing #Afrophobic attacks in many parts of South Africa," wrote Ncube.

"Juliet's father was a general worker at Dairibord Zimbabwe and her mother was a cross-border trader in the 90's when grass baskets were popular and good business. Juliet dropped out of school at 14 when her parents died. She says life has been tough."

He said Juliet's posture and demeanor from the comfort of his car conveyed the sense of a tough life.

"In my privileged position I could afford the luxury of speculating that she was better off at home than in South Africa. She is at home, close to her kids and a family support system. Nobody calls her a "Kwerekwere" but clearly her tough life is what has made many venture into neighboring countries seeking greener pastures," wrote Ncube.

"Well, the message from the current #Afrophobic violence in South Africa is that we are not welcome. But will Juliet's kids get some education to help them escape their mothers tough life?"

"Or just maybe Juliet's children might grow up into a better Zimbabwe where they don't need to go to neighboring countries to seek greener pastures. Or maybe Juliets' children are the ones we are waiting for to change our Zimbabwe."

Ncube wrote that Juliet gave them permission to take her picture and share her story. It is a story of courage , sacrifice,discipline and making an honest living in a hostile political and economic environment.

Chikwe Ihekweazu commended Ncube' story as powerful. Rejoice Ngwenya said that was the problem.

"We are not supposed to be hustling and making ends meet .... because they never will. We must be getting together under the trees, in the bars, in churches, at schools ... to find the best way of ridding our country of this clue-less ZANU.PF government," he said.

Robson M. Wurayayi said "The sad reality also with our people especially in such dire circumstances is how they have been coerced into accepting the norm out of fear. I interact a lot with the "any job will do seekers" and when i question where the change will come from they blindly and without hesitation always count the current status quo as a phase."

Bekithemba Mhlanga said, "I noticed this spirit when I was home last November and remarked that Zimbabweans had been forcedly into a very powerful position. No one relies on the state except those in the higher echelons of political."

Sipho Moyo said "In a way we should be grateful that waiting for a government's handout was never an option in Zimbabwe."

Nyari Mashayamombe said "Thank you for your heart Trevor Ncube, the more i live my life the more i realise that there are people out there who are just living their lives, they don't care about other people."

Ryan Murphy said he feel sad that the situation in Zimbabwe has come to this stage.

Sibongile Chipo Mapungwana said "I am constantly humbled by the resilience of our people. The Spars and Pick and Pays of this world start from this. Tomorrow's Doctors and Engineers are fed from these cents and dollars."