Monetisation of a former breakbasket of Africa..

I just learnt from a fellow business colleague that his goods are held at the main Zimbabwe- South Africa Border, BeitBridge, because Zimbabwe's currency is being 'monetised'. For me, somewhat, and others, this has different implications.

Two of my close friends told me their secondary school kids had to pay tuition fees in the range 800 to 1000 US Dollars. At the current sterling rate, that converts to about £700. Mind you, thats a term's fees. Shocking, at the very least, are these fees. First, one has to psychologically adjust to these figures. Secondly, you have to adjust financially to the fact that, not so long ago, you just had to convert your £50 into Zimbabwe dollars and the kids' fees were paid, maybe with some change for uncle's Castle beers.

Surely, the diaspora has been caught out unaware. No one had warned us that the purchasing power of £50 would be quickly eroded at that pace.

The diaspora probably has to change its strategy. Whilst, Zimbabweans living in Zimbabwe have been continually adjusting to perpetual changes, we have been basking in the routine and glass-ceilings of these lands. The guys in Zimbabwe have grown wiser, more entreprenuerial and clearly do not require business school rhetoric to learn about change management. They are at another level...

I think change is always great. Although, of course, we manage it differently. I have to contend with the fact that i have to adjust the amount of sterling i need to start sending my mother. Gosh, the pound has just had its pounding at the wrong time!