Zimbabwe Harare suburbs

We were in Zimbabwe in september 2008 during one of the worst (if not THE worst) periods that the country went through in its history. No more food in groceries. Days of line up to withdraw a few dollars. 2200000% of inflation. Cooking oil and sugar at astronomical prices on the black market. No medicines. And millions of people trying to survive one more day.

As occidentals, this has been a huge lesson for us about the courage and pride of zimbabwean people.

Then, the video was made at the end of a day that we spent in Harare to find a few things for the community we where staying at. 2 hours of negotiations to get 5 liters of engine oil and 4 hours to get trash bins!

Then we stopped at the market close to rufaro stadium to pick up a few things to eat. Mbare suburb is called ''the Zimbabwean Soweto'', referring to the unfortunately famous Jo'Burg township in South-Africa. Let me tell you that as the only foreigner (white occidental) in this suburb, I have been amazed by the kindness of the Zimbabwean to me despite their lack of everything (that could have fed a kind of anger). This has been one of the biggest and strongest moments in our 1 year round the world trip. I will never forget the smiles of all these people, even if they were living the worst situation that any human should never experience.

This video and the others are just representing moments we went through during our stay in Harare region. No judgment. No hidden sens. But to us, it's also a kind of tribute to all Zimbabwean people and a way to show to the world the conditions that we tolerated in a country that deserves so much more.

I hope that things are now clearer...

Cheers to all zim, you'll always be in our hearts :)

Marius and Sylvie...

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Zimbabwe
• Harare
• suburbs

[makalosa]

this is the poorest and oldest suburb in zimbabwe, this video is just a source of trying to make the place look really bad, why didnt u mix mbare, hatfield, and highlands/ borrowdale to give an accurate story this is way too 1 sided, its like going to australia and taking pictures of poor aboriginal homes and saying this is australia, or going to america and taking pictures from the bronx and saying this is what america looks like.Shame on you

[mariusetsylvie]

Hi makalosa,

I am very sorry about your answer,but i think that it is just misunderstanding on the sense of the video.

That's why I have written in the description the context in which that video was made.

Marius and Sylvie...

[steventean]

y would any1 wanna go 2 zimbabwe?

[mariusetsylvie]

Because Zimbabwean people are great and they deserve much more that what they received in the last years. So, we must not forget this country that has so much to offer.

[pufdadie]

@makalosa you mean like sweep it under the carpet?

[tsangakos]

yes and england is a big toilet i wouldnt even use

[thelelland13]

@mariusetsylvie They had their chance when it was called Rhodesia.

[gailfarie]

@ muriusberger i am not sure were ou got me wrong, I am supporting the video i am despising people who feel like its an degrading zimbabweans

[mariusberger]

@gailfarie why is showing every day life wrong? It's just a ride in the pick up while going to the Mbare market with locals. And we are very proud to have shared some time with zimbabeans in that place. Nice people, good time, and great moments of sharing. Just a slice of Zim life... Cheers!

[gailfarie]

Whats wrong with showing this side of Zimbabwe, a huge percentage of zimbabweans live like this, gotta be proud anyway, weather its Mbare or Borrowdale, none of these places define who Zimbabweans are truelly are.

[MrThumblewaddle]

LOOKS LIKE MBARE......Mbare has beautiful people there.....

[FikiNom]

@bangophinx hahah dont you get that people who are not 'learned' think surburb is a sabhabha as in Western areas. I am a proud Zimbo and would only go to Mbare for the fruit and veges! Zimbo 4 life!

[misssweesha]

@mariusetsylvie ....Come on! I have been offered a 2 week trip to Paris and luckiy i chose Zimbabwe ...I have love for Zim nommater what.