THE relief brought by the introduction of the multi-currency system in the country in February 2009 cannot go unmentioned, but the prevailing anguish associated with the failure to easily access the currency must not be ignored.
Introducing the multi-currency system was then the best option considering that the West had battered and rendered the Zimbabwean dollar worthless through illegal economic sanctions imposed on the country.
Our problems would be solved by the use of currencies from elsewhere, so many thought.
But the relief characterised by the disappearance of endless queues for bread and mealie-meal as well as price ‘stability’ appear to have been short-lived.
The multi-currency system had appeared to be the panacea until now.
There are many challenges presented by using the currencies of other nations, chiefly lack of control and management of that currency.
The sad spectacle created by the multi-currency system is the illusion that the US-dollar is the country’s ‘saviour’.
Any talk to bring back the Zimbabwe dollar has been met with fierce resistance.
The debate is not given any opportunity for engagement at all as regime change proponents highjack it and claim the situation will return to 2008, an era of hardships, if the local currency was to return.
This is the reason why there was resistance to the initial efforts to introduce Bond coins that are now working effectively and have brought relief to many people. That time, people were being forced to accept useless products in the form of change after transactions.
In the multi-currency regime, prices have now become reasonable, but money supply remains a challenge.
Whereas nowadays US$100 can almost fill up a shopping trolley, it has increasingly become difficult to get the US-dollar, making many struggle to reach the next pay day.
The failure to access the US dollar has resulted in an increasing gap between the rich and the poor with those who have no access to it struggling while those who have can afford to throw US$200 000 birthday parties for their children.
A snap survey carried out by The Patriot revealed that the US-dollar has indeed become scarce and people are virtually struggling to get it.
Tariro Mangwiro (42): “The US-dollar has become scarce, but when you get it and use it wisely you find that it improves your living standards.
“Bringing back the Zimbabwe dollar can only work if there is a price control that makes sure prizes are not inflated beyond what they should, as currently is the situation.”
Kudzai Mudende (44): “Getting the US-dollar means that one must have income-generating projects or at least a stable monthly salary, otherwise it is hard to get.”
Tendai Chivake (37): The situation at the moment is different from when people would ‘burn money’ sent by relatives from the Diaspora.
“Now many people send their children to learn in the Diaspora because it is cheaper in terms of tuition and food.
“If only we could have authorities looking at the pricing structures and reviewing them downwards for the benefit of those that have no money.”
Sibongile Moyo (45): “Many of us have resorted to having grocery clubs and many other innovations among them kutengesa mabhero and doing anything during working hours to help supplement budgets that are not met by one’s basic salary.
“Dhora harisi kubatika and rinotoita kungati rinotsvedza mumaoko.”
Belinda Ncube (55): “When the US-dollar first came it seemed like a blessing, but right now we seem to have devalued it because of our pricing structures.
“The business community continuously takes advantage of the consumers by charging exorbitant prices for products whereas in neighbouring countries those goods cost far less.
“They are bent on making super profits at the expense of consumers who struggle to make ends meet.
“Perhaps having our own currency could stabilise things.”
Celiwe Sibanda (43): “Many of us have failed to make ends meet and this is perhaps the reason why one sees an influx of vendors in the street.”
“It is perhaps the fastest way that a person can put bread on the table.
“It is unlike the days when the US-dollar came when the prices were reasonable.
“What makes it difficult also is perhaps that we do not seem to have a thriving industry as seen through our importation of goods from even small things such as toothpicks.
“We need to find solutions to problems bedeviling us and perhaps bringing back our Zim-dollar is the best solution.”