HARARE – Former Mt Pleasant Member of Parliament Fadzayi Mahere has lauded the achievements of Zimbabweans living in neighbouring countries, citing their reputation for excellence in academic and professional fields.
Her remarks come against a backdrop of increasing diaspora remittances, which reached US$165 million in February 2025, a 7.5% rise from the US$153.8 million recorded in February 2024. These inflows accounted for 17% of Zimbabwe’s total foreign currency receipts for the month.
Mahere celebrated the “narrative about Zimbabweans in neighbouring countries,” noting their success in securing top academic jobs, deanships, and leadership roles across various sectors.
She envisioned a future where Zimbabweans are primarily known for “hard work, integrity, being highly-educated and excellence,” attributing this spirit to the nation’s people.
Expressing a desire for a conducive environment within Zimbabwe, Mahere stated her belief that “when things come right in the new Zimbabwe, all these shining stars will return and build the Zimbabwe we want.”
“I love the narrative about Zimbabweans in neighbouring countries. We are renowned for taking top academic jobs, being appointed deans and other leaders in various sectors,” she posted on her X handle.
“Imagine being known for hard work, integrity, being highly-educated and excellence? That’s the Zimbabwean spirit.
“Of course, when things come right in the new Zimbabwe, all these shining stars will return and build the Zimbabwe we want. Nobody necessarily wants to be a foreigner.
“It should never be the case that a citizen has to leave their country in order to find an ecosystem where they can succeed. This, unfortunately, is what happens when we have a leadership and bad governance crisis. Rest assured, Zimbabwe will win again.”
Her comments align with the significant financial contributions of the Zimbabwean diaspora. In 2024, annual remittances reached a record US$2.2 billion, a substantial 22% increase from the US$1.8 billion in 2023.
These funds, primarily originating from countries like South Africa (home to over 908,000 Zimbabweans), Botswana (47,928), and the UK (23,166), play a crucial role in supporting basic needs, healthcare, education, housing, and small business investments for families back home.
It is believed that there are less than two million Zimbabweans living abroad and their remittances are vital to the nation’s foreign exchange stability and consumer demand.
People leave Zimbabwe for a number of reasons including economic hardships such as high unemployment, low wages and the rising cost of living and political instability.
That is not happening, the ship has sailed, its been 25 years Fadzi!