Chantelle Bongubukhosi Ncube
As Zimbabwe continues to grapple with a range of economic hardships and environmental crises, one Shona recently crafted idiom has come to define the spirit of endurance among its people, chikuru kufema, which loosely translates to “as long as I am breathing.”
This simple phrase encapsulates the resilience of many Zimbabweans, who, despite facing a worsening economic situation, persist by focusing on survival, often to the exclusion of prosperity.
Economic Hardships and Declining Standards of Living
Zimbabwe’s economy, already battered by years of mismanagement by government worsened by hyperinflation, is now under further strain from global climate challenges, such as the El Niño-induced drought. This has led to severe water shortages, particularly in cities like Bulawayo and Harare.
The drought has depleted dams and water reservoirs, forcing municipalities to ration the supply of water into households, sometimes leaving entire neighborhoods without running water for weeks on end or even months.
In Bulawayo, Harrisville suburb in particular, last received water from the tap in December of 2023. There is no solution in sight.
In addition to the water crisis, Zimbabweans are also contending with electricity load shedding, a practice that has become more frequent as the country struggles to generate adequate power from its aging infrastructure.
The country relies heavily on hydroelectric power from the Kariba Dam, which has suffered low water levels due to the ongoing drought. Frequent blackouts —lasting up to 18 hours a day in some areas —have further eroded the quality of life.
A local resident in Bulawayo, Kudzai Sibanda, lamented,
“Sometimes we go for two weeks without water, and with the constant power cuts, it’s difficult to keep anything going. At this point, the only thing that keeps us going is chikuru kufema. We survive because we have no other choice.”
Rising Unemployment and the Erosion of Education’s Value
Perhaps the most visible sign of Zimbabwe’s economic decay is the rise in unemployment, which has soared to over 19% in 2023, according to the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT), but economists place Zimbabwe’s unemployment record at 90%. Even more concerning, is the fact that having a university degree has, in many cases, become practically useless.
Thousands of Zimbabwean graduates struggle to find jobs in a saturated and collapsing job market, pushing many into informal employment or leaving the country altogether in search of better opportunities.
A recent report by the African Development Bank (AfDB) indicated that Zimbabwe’s unemployment rate among university graduates is one of the highest in Africa. An estimated 40% of graduates are unemployed, with many resorting to vending or cross-border trading to make ends meet.
“Back in the day, having a degree guaranteed you a decent job. But now, even with my Accounting Degree I’ve been selling second-hand clothes in downtown Harare just to survive,” says Blessing Moyo, a 28-year-old graduate from the University of Zimbabwe.
“The future seems bleak, but we cling to chikuru kufema. We have to keep going because there’s nothing else we can do.”
Climate Change’s Impact on Livelihoods
Zimbabwe’s climate woes, largely exacerbated by the global climate crisis, have had devastating effects on agriculture, which forms the backbone of the country’s economy. The El Niño-induced drought has severely reduced crop yields, pushing many rural households into poverty. According to a 2024 report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), approximately 5.3 million Zimbabweans are currently food insecure, a stark rise from previous years.
A subsistence farmer from Matabeleland, Thabani Ncube, described the situation:
“We’ve had poor rains for three seasons now. The crops fail every year, and there’s no work. Even feeding the family is a struggle. At this point, we survive from one day to the next. Chikuru kufema is what keeps us alive. If we wake up breathing, we count it as a blessing.”
*Water and Electricity Shedding Worsen Daily Life
In addition to economic hardship and climate-induced disasters, Zimbabweans face infrastructural challenges that make daily survival even more difficult. Water shedding has become a permanent fixture in many urban areas, while electricity shedding has intensified. The Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) blames the prolonged power outages on low water levels at the Kariba Dam, aging infrastructure, and increased demand.
Research shows that power outages negatively affect businesses, productivity, and household living conditions. Many families have been forced to turn to alternative sources of power, such as solar energy, but not everyone can afford these options. In a country where poverty rates hover around 40%, according to the World Bank, the cost of alternatives like solar panels is out of reach for most.
Surviving in a Broken System
Despite the hardships, Zimbabweans continue to survive by adopting a stoic attitude towards life. The expression chikuru kufema reflects a collective resilience, but it also underscores the gravity of their situation: survival has become the goal, rather than thriving.
Dr. Mary Mavedzenge, a sociologist, explains the phenomenon. “The use of chikuru kufema shows that Zimbabweans have adapted to their circumstances, but it also speaks to a sense of helplessness. When people use this phrase, they’re saying, ‘as long as we’re alive, we’ll manage,’ but it’s also a quiet admission that there’s little hope for a better future.”
In the face of worsening economic conditions, drought, unemployment, and a collapsing infrastructure, Zimbabweans have adopted chikuru kufema as their mantra of survival. It is a testament to their resilience, but also a tragic reflection of the times.
As the country continues to face multiple crises, the phrase may offer comfort to individuals, but it remains a sobering reminder of how much needs to change for Zimbabweans to truly thrive again.
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