Inside Zimbabwe's market of pregnant vendors

Commuters along Seke Road have started calling the busy H Bus stop by a new and curious name - "Pamimba", a term referring to pregnancy in Shona. The moniker reflects an unusual yet poignant reality: a growing number of pregnant women selling fresh produce and other goods at the stop to support their families.

The story behind the nickname emerged when a commuter omnibus conductor shouted "pamimba mutyairi" (stop at Pamimba bus stop) as the driver slowed near speed humps at the H Bus stop, drawing puzzled looks from passengers unfamiliar with the term.

Curious to uncover the reason behind the name, NewsDay Weekender visited the spot, a bustling marketplace located at a T-junction with a pole and a makeshift plastic shack occupied by a young couple and their children. Though the family appeared in good health, their dwelling highlighted the tough living conditions many locals endure.

The area is a natural gathering point for vendors selling horticultural products like fresh vegetables, watermelons, green mealies, and fish - especially attractive to traders because speed humps force vehicles to slow down, making it easier to attract customers.

Among the traders, several pregnant women were spotted selling their wares, which is how the name "Pamimba" gained traction.

"We heard commuters calling it Pamimba," said Virginia, a vendor at the site. "We never thought it would become this popular or that journalists would be interested in the name."

For many of these expectant mothers, selling goods is a necessary means to supplement family income.

Nancy Mhonda, who is pregnant with her second child, shared her reasons for hustling at the bus stop:

"I can't just sit at home because I am pregnant. If things were normal, I should be home nursing my pregnancy. But the money my husband earns cannot sustain us, so I am here to help him."

Nancy recalled how during her first pregnancy in the rural areas, life was simpler and expenses lower. Today, urban living costs mean she must contribute financially, paying for baby preparations, clinic visits, rent, and general upkeep.

"Several pregnant women come here to sell their wares; it's not a secret. We are used to the ridiculing," she added.

Though the earnings are modest, Nancy says the hustle is better than doing nothing:

"What we get here is better than staying at home. If I were still in the rural areas, I might be gardening or doing household chores, but here, I want to be classy, even when going for check-ups."

A motorist who frequents the stop told NewsDay Weekender:

"Under normal circumstances, pregnant women should be doing light duties, but the economy forces them to hustle. I always buy from these women knowing I'm helping them. They sell fresh produce, and maybe people buy partly out of sympathy. The name Pamimba might just be popularising the place."

However, the bustling hub isn't without concerns. As the interviews wrapped up, women dressed provocatively began gathering nearby, hinting that the area is also turning into a red light district. Locals joke that the name Pamimba could soon be replaced by paTouchline - a slang term for spots known for sex work - or PaPerengende, inspired by a song about scantily dressed women by popular musician Suluman Chimbetu.

For now, Pamimba stands as a stark symbol of the harsh realities many women face in Zimbabwe's urban areas - balancing pregnancy, poverty, and the daily grind to support their families.