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Hopewell Chin’ono: Zimbabwe Is a Supermarket for South Africa
4 hrs ago |
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Award-winning journalist Hopewell Chin’ono has sparked debate with his assertion that South Africa benefits disproportionately from its economic relationship with Zimbabwe, describing the latter as a “supermarket” for South African goods.
Posting on his X account, Chin’ono argued that Zimbabwe’s heavy reliance on imports—ranging from groceries and building materials to vehicles and industrial equipment—has created a lopsided trade dynamic. “South Africa gains far more from that economic relationship than Zimbabwe does,” he wrote, blaming poor governance for Zimbabwe’s minimal export footprint.
He emphasized that Zimbabwe’s import dependency sustains thousands of South African jobs and businesses, warning against the misconception that South Africa is the victim in the relationship. “It is just basic economics and common sense, but common sense is not so common,” Chin’ono added.
His remarks have reignited conversations around regional trade imbalances, governance, and the need for Zimbabwe to strengthen its domestic production capacity.
Posting on his X account, Chin’ono argued that Zimbabwe’s heavy reliance on imports—ranging from groceries and building materials to vehicles and industrial equipment—has created a lopsided trade dynamic. “South Africa gains far more from that economic relationship than Zimbabwe does,” he wrote, blaming poor governance for Zimbabwe’s minimal export footprint.
He emphasized that Zimbabwe’s import dependency sustains thousands of South African jobs and businesses, warning against the misconception that South Africa is the victim in the relationship. “It is just basic economics and common sense, but common sense is not so common,” Chin’ono added.
His remarks have reignited conversations around regional trade imbalances, governance, and the need for Zimbabwe to strengthen its domestic production capacity.
Source - Byo24news
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