Peter Moyo
Under the expansive, clear skies of Zimbabwe, both urban centers and rural landscapes are filled with graduates whose degrees seem to weigh as much as the dust they sweep from the streets.
Zimbabwe, renowned for its rich cultural heritage, now faces an economic challenge where universities are producing highly educated young individuals, yet the job market remains starkly barren.
According to TheGlobalEconomy.com, the unemployment rate in Zimbabwe for 2023 was 8.76%, showing a decline from 10.09% in 2022. However, these figures can be misleading as they might not fully capture underemployment or discouraged young people who have stopped looking for jobs. More detailed insights from Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat) reveal that in the first quarter of 2023, an expanded unemployment rate stood at 46.7%, with over 2.8 million people of working age unemployed, painting a grim picture of the employment landscape.
Statista also reports that in 2023, the unemployment rate decreased by 1.3 percentage points to 9.10% from 9.30% in 2022, while Take-profit.org provides a slightly different figure, stating that the unemployment rate in Zimbabwe was 7.9% in 2024, showcasing the variance in statistical reporting due to different methodologies or definitions of employment.
However, there’s a stark contrast with claims from other sources, particularly posts on X (formerly Twitter), where some individuals suggest unemployment rates in Zimbabwe could be in the 90% range. These assertions stem from a broader debate on how unemployment is measured, especially regarding the inclusion of informal sector jobs or subsistence work. For instance, if only formal employment is considered, with stringent criteria like payroll with tax deductions, the figures can inflate significantly, leading to claims of 90% unemployment. This perspective was highlighted in a BBC News report from 2017, discussing the vast range of unemployment estimates in Zimbabwe, from as low as 5% to as high as 95%, depending on the definition used.
Thabani Moyo, a 27-year-old Mechanical Engineering graduate, shares his story from his makeshift stall in Bulawayo where he sells airtime: “I studied hard, dreaming of working on machinery, but now I’m here, selling airtime and sim cards. My engineering skills are gathering dust.”
Senzeni Dube, a Humanities graduate, now helps her family at their vegetable stand in Gwanda: “The reality is harsh when you see your education going to waste. I thought I’d be teaching, but here I am, selling tomatoes. At least it’s something to do.”
Educationist Sipho Mhlanga points out the glaring disconnect: “We are educating our youth for an economy that does not exist in Matabeleland. There’s a need for more vocational training, aligning our curriculum with local economic opportunities, but the region’s industries have dwindled.”
Mhlanga elaborates on the regional issues: “Matabeleland has been historically marginalized, which is reflected in our high unemployment rates. There’s a cultural and economic disconnection. The youth here feel abandoned, which leads to despair and self-destructive behaviors.”
Nokuthula Sibanda, a sociologist, discusses the social consequences: “In Matabeleland, where unemployment is particularly acute, we see a rise in drug abuse among young people. The lack of job prospects disrupts traditional pathways to adulthood, leading to more premarital relationships as young people seek new ways to cope.”
The narrative is rich with cultural nuances; the pride in education starkly contrasts with the harsh reality of joblessness. Benjamin Ngwenya, who graduated with honors in Business Studies from Solusi University, expresses his dismay: “It’s heart-wrenching. Here, education is respected, but when you can’t use it, you feel you’ve let down not just yourself but your community.”
There is a pressing call for localized educational reforms that focus on skills pertinent to Zimbabwe’s economy, specifically in agriculture, mining, and tourism. There’s also a need for regional economic revival through investments in industries that can leverage local resources and labor, alongside community and mental health support programs tailored to the cultural context of Matabeleland.
In Matabeleland, the stories of its graduates are more than mere statistics; they are a poignant reminder of a region at the brink of potential, yet entangled in economic neglect. The crisis of unemployment among educated youth here speaks volumes of cultural pride, lost dreams, and the urgent call for systemic change.
As the sun sets over this beautiful part of Zimbabwe, the hope lingers for a new dawn where the region’s graduates can finally align their education with real opportunities.
