Zimbabweans in Mozambique anxious about political change

By Tichaona Sibanda
17 February 2006

About half a million Zimbabweans are now based in Mozambique and most of them are finding it extremely difficult to adjust to life in that country.

Newly appointed secretary-general of the Zimbabwe Action Support Group in Beira, Joseph Matongo said many have crossed over into Mozambique for economic reasons, while others have been victims of political persecution in Zimbabwe.

Unlike in other countries where Zimbabweans have adapted well to their new surroundings, many in Mozambique have found it difficult, mainly because of the language barrier.

‘People here speak Portuguese and Zimbabweans basically fit in well in any English speaking environment. The language barrier has caused a huge problem for most of us here,’ said Matongo.

Authorities have also found it easy to fish out illegal immigrants in Mozambique because they can easily identify those who cannot speak the language.

Apart from the language barrier, Matongo says that most Zimbabweans living in Mozambique don’t have a platform to discuss problems relating to Zimbabwe, let alone representatives or organisations that people can turn to order to have they voices heard.

The ZASG chapter in Beira was launched last week and has already started mobilising activists for meetings to chart the way forward. Matongo said all of them are keen to take part in a process that would help usher in proper democracy in Zimbabwe.