Howdy, neighbour
Zimbabweans living in Hillbrow celebrate a new country
The former vice-president of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, paid a courtesy visit to President Jacob Zuma before heading back to Harare yesterday. Both leaders paid tribute to former president Robert Mugabe and acknowledged his immense contribution to the struggle for the decolonisation of the continent and the liberation of southern Africa in particular.
WITH music blaring from speakers, hundreds of Zimbabweans danced and sang on an intersection of Claim Street in Hillbrow on Tuesday night.
The celebrating crowd shut down Claim, a usually busy road connecting Hillbrow to central Joburg.
Taxis and cars took turns spinning in another part of Hillbrow, accompanied by the ululation and whistling of excited Zimbabweans.
“Zim free at last,” read one placard hoisted in a street of Hillbrow. Another poster proclaimed “independence at last”. Zimbabwean flags flew high too.
These two sets of celebrations captured the mood in Hillbrow and neighbouring suburbs of Joburg where many Zimbabweans live.
The celebrations kicked off soon after news broke out that Robert Mugabe had stepped down as president of Zimbabwe.
The crowd grew bigger by the minute, as both young and old came out to express their happiness over Mugabe’s fall.
Holding the highest position in the land for 37 years, Mugabe was to blame for a situation that saw millions of Zimbabweans fleeing the country.
Zimbabweans are believed to make up a huge chunk of the 1.7 million foreign nationals living in South Africa.
Many of those celebrating in Hillbrow believe Mugabe’s departure will usher in a new era of stability and an improved economy.
The economic meltdown forced them to cross to South Africa in search of a better life.
Among those who joined Tuesday night’s celebrations in Hillbrow was 38-year-old Nqobizitha Tiwane, who said of Mugabe: “He’s the one who messed up the country’s economy.
“We came to South Africa in droves because there were no longer jobs in our country. I’m confident people will return to invest in Zimbabwe now that Mugabe is gone. Industries will be revived and there will be jobs.”
Judging by the excitement in the streets of Zimbabwe and Joburg, it was clear Zimbabweans were hopeful Mugabe’s resignation would mean real change, Tiwane said.
“We don’t care if Zanu-PF remains in power or they go back to the government of national unity. What we want is change.
“This is our independence day. Our Zimbabwe has changed for good,” he said.
Like many of those celebrating, Tiwane said he was ready to go back home.
Nobert Ndlovu said his countrymen had suffered for a long time in South Africa.
“Job opportunities will now open up (back home). We will get jobs,” he said.
“We’ve been struggling for a long time. We’re grateful to soldiers, our heroes, for removing the president.”
After not setting foot home for 24 years, Thandazani Mazibuko said she was now looking forward to going to Bulawayo. Her children have never been to Zimbabwe.
“I hated going back home because of Mugabe. I’ll now go show my children where I’m from. Things will now be fine in Zimbabwe.”
Jonathan Dube and his wife Ashley were seen loading their belongings into a van in Hillbrow, while also taking part in the celebrations.
They were going for good, they said. “Mugabe has abused us for a long time. We’re happy he’s out,” said Jonathan, who arrived in Joburg seven years ago.
The couple’s two-year-old son was travelling to Zimbabwe for the first time.
“I’m going to show my parents my wife and my child,” Jonathan said.
Said Ashley: “I’m thankful Mugabe is out. I wish he’d not wake up anymore. My son is going to Zimbabwe for the first time.”
Others were celebrating more than just Mugabe’s departure, but that he went out without bloodshed. Fear engulfed Zimbabwe when it emerged last week that the army had taken over.
“What makes me happy the most is that Mugabe went out peacefully, without any bloodshed.
“I thought there would be bloodshed when this thing started. I’m glad that didn’t happen,” said Similo Hadebe, 35. And now her plea to Mugabe is: “May you give blessings to whoever will take over.”
‘Mugabe has abused us for a long time’