Chantelle Bongubukhosi Ncube
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mazoe Orange Crush has long been a household staple refresher juice but recent supermarket prices have sent shockwaves through Zimbabwean homes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The popular dilution juice now costs an astounding 120 Zimbabwean gold-backed dollars (ZiG), a sharp contrast to what many remember just a few months ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This price is equivalent to US$8.50 at the official rate and US$5 on the black market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For many, this price hike represents more than the rising cost of a favored drink\u2014it symbolizes the growing disillusionment with Zimbabwe’s new currency, which was introduced this past April with hopes of rescuing the nation\u2019s economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Currency That Was Supposed to Save<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When the Zimbabwean government introduced the ZiG at the beginning of the second quarter of thia year, it was marketed as a structured, gold-backed currency that would provide economic stability. When inflation Skyrocketed and the Zimbabwean dollar lost value rapidly, many hoped the ZiG would be the solution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Surprisingly, the ZiG is sinking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) promoted the currency as one that would be backed by tangible assets, such as gold, giving it intrinsic value and reducing inflationary pressures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, barely a year after its introduction, the ZiG seems to have lost its sheen. The escalating prices of everyday goods, including the iconic Mazoe Orange Crush, have left many Zimbabweans questioning the long-term viability of the currency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT), inflation in August 2024 soared to 76.7%, casting doubts on the promises made during the ZiG’s rollout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This measure of inflation is constrasted by Professor Steve Hanke who places Zimbabwe inflation at galloping 900%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A visit to a local supermarket in Bulawayo highlighted the frustration among consumers. Florence Moyo, a mother of three, expressed her disbelief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c120 ZiG!!? $7 dollars!!? It feels like we\u2019re back to square one. We were promised that the ZiG would save us from inflation, but now I can\u2019t even afford basic things for my children,\u201d Moyo lamented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another shopper, Tendai Mkwesha, pointed out the larger impact on low-income families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFor many of us, Mazoe is not a luxury\u2014it\u2019s part of our children\u2019s diet. When it goes up like this, it\u2019s not just about the juice. It\u2019s about the cost of living in general. We\u2019re seeing prices rise across the board,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mazoe: More Than Just a Drink<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mazoe Orange Crush, has been a part of Zimbabwean culture for over 80 years. Known for its rich flavor and long shelf life, the juice is diluted with water to make multiple servings, making it a cost-effective option for families across the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, with prices now tripling in less than a year, its accessibility to the average Zimbabwean is diminishing rapidly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A study conducted by the Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (ZIMCODD) earlier this year highlighted that the average Zimbabwean household spends more than 70% of its income on food and basic necessities. With essentials like Mazoe becoming unaffordable, many fear that the ZiG may not live up to its promises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Economists are now questioning whether the ZiG can stabilize Zimbabwe’s economy as originally intended. Dr. Blessing Marume, a lecturer at the University of Zimbabwe\u2019s Economics Department, believes the initial enthusiasm surrounding the ZiG was misplaced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe issue with the ZiG is not necessarily its gold-backing, but the fundamentals of the economy. If production is low, if there\u2019s limited foreign exchange, and if inflation is allowed to rise unchecked, no currency\u2014gold-backed or otherwise\u2014will hold its value for long. What we are seeing with the rise in Mazoe\u2019s price is just the tip of the iceberg,\u201d Dr. Marume explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Similarly, a recent report by the World Bank pointed to Zimbabwe’s reliance on imports and erratic economic policies as key drivers of inflation. Despite the ZiG\u2019s introduction, the report concluded that without structural reforms in industry, agriculture, and trade, the country\u2019s currency would continue to weaken.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The price of Mazoe Orange Crush may be a symbolic reflection of the broader economic malaise gripping Zimbabwe. As prices continue to rise, the government is under increasing pressure to implement policies that go beyond introducing new currencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Consumer organizations such as the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ) are calling for greater price controls and subsidies to cushion the impact of rising costs on ordinary citizens. However, with the ZiG failing to stabilize the economy as promised, many Zimbabweans are left wondering whether relief is in sight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As Florence Moyo walked away from the supermarket without her beloved Mazoe, her parting words reflected the sentiments of many:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe need solutions. The ZiG was supposed to be the solution, but all we see is more suffering.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For now, the cost of Mazoe\u2014and the cost of living in Zimbabwe\u2014continues to shoot upwards, leaving many uncertain about what the future holds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Zim GBC News\u00a92024<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Chantelle Bongubukhosi Ncube Mazoe Orange Crush has long been a household staple refresher juice but recent supermarket prices have sent shockwaves through Zimbabwean homes. The popular dilution juice now costs… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4245,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[124],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4244","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-business"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/zimgbcnews.co.zw\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4244","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/zimgbcnews.co.zw\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/zimgbcnews.co.zw\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/zimgbcnews.co.zw\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/zimgbcnews.co.zw\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4244"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/zimgbcnews.co.zw\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4244\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4246,"href":"http:\/\/zimgbcnews.co.zw\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4244\/revisions\/4246"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/zimgbcnews.co.zw\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/4245"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/zimgbcnews.co.zw\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4244"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/zimgbcnews.co.zw\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4244"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/zimgbcnews.co.zw\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4244"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}