Let’s Talk About The Most Common Misconceptions People Believe

Despite Zimbabwe being frequently visited, there are still many misconceptions about its culture and people. Here I explore some of the most common ones. Wild Animals Are All There Is To See. The biggest shame for foreigners visiting Zimbabwe is that they believe wild animals are all there is to see.

Most foreign tourists only ever come to Zimbabwe expecting to see more of wild life than seeing tall buildings and an efficient transport system. It may come as a surprise to hear that Zimbabwe is misconceived as a country that primarily focuses on wildlife.

You may think that I’m exaggerating. I am speaking from what I found out about the time I travelled abroad on a cultural exchange programme.The cultural exchange programme worked like this. A group of Zimbabwean youths would go abroad and each youth would live with a particular family for a specified period. A group of youths from the hosting country would reciprocate to come over and live with Zimbabwean families.

So I was part of the Zimbabwean group that travelled and lived with a family. Part of the itinerary included sight-seeing to acquaint myself with the country. One day I paid a visit to a secondary school and could talk to the youths there.

Do you know the first thing they asked me? They were curious to know how people in Zimbabwe would live alongside animals. At first, I was taken aback, but then I realized that this question came from a good place. The youth’s face showed excitement and curiosity about experiencing the true essence of Zimbabwe.

If you try to visualise what living alongside wildlife means, it’s ridiculous and you will know beyond any doubt that such things cannot exist. It’s a big misconception. I understood this was the only information the school children probably knew about Zimbabwe. This is where my post comes in to demystify some misconceptions out there.

An Increasing Pull to Social Media for News

With the onset of social media taking over from journalists who had the monopoly of reporting news, things have changed now. Social media has become an integral part of people’s lives and has had a lasting impact on how people communicate. People can see on TikTok, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook what life in Zimbabwe feels like. Of course they can’t see everything but at least they will have a glimpse.

People nowadays don’t rely solely on news reports and now know Zimbabwe is not what is being portrayed. In fact, it has more to offer and to experience it; they have to come to Zimbabwe and see for themselves. It’s very different from seeing it in movies or television.

Wild Animals Is All There Is To See

This is not only an exaggeration but not factual. The only places where you can find wild animals in Zimbabwe today are zoos and game reserves. With the exception of the countryside where you can find animals in the forests.

Animals don’t live side by side with people. It’s one misconception that was out there.

Zoos and game reserves have become national assets, a source of revenue. There are many benefits Zimbabwe gets from its wildlife. It provides food, fibre and medicines. Also, its a source of wealth creation. Nature-based tourism brings economic growth and it has been an important source of income for Zimbabwe.

Social media has helped to bridge the information gap and is reversing the narrative of misconceptions about living in Zimbabwe. Don’t take what you hear or read at face value. You often read things like: 

People From Africa Are The Same

Africa is a large continent just like Asia or Europe with individual countries in it. Those individual countries have their own languages and practice different cultures.

African People Live In Small Huts

I can’t speak on behalf of Africa. Zimbabwe has its own way of living. Most people have 2 homes. One in the urban areas and in the countryside. With challenges stemming from extreme climate conditions, Zimbabweans are moving away from the traditional rural homes made from soil and wood, to using more durable materials.

In the countryside some people are building houses that resemble resort places. We don’t come across such news very often, yet seeing is believing.

Zimbabweans Live Alongside Animals

Through reading this post, I’m sure by now you now know its one of the biggest misconceptions out there. Game reserves and national parks serve as habitats for animals.

Africans Are Poor and Suffer from Diseases, Hunger and Starvation

Diseases are common everywhere, and no country is immune to diseases, they come and go. Perhaps what differs is the preparedness of countries to deal with pandemics. The list of misconceptions about living in Zimbabwe goes on.

Research about it and if you can, go and see for yourself. Then share the positive things you see. Many things remain undocumented and unshared with the rest of the world. Leaving people wondering if there is anything good happening in Zimbabwe.

The Moral of This Post

Many Zimbabweans are living in the diaspora. Life goes on and most of them now have families. They are there now, but their roots are still in Zimbabwe because that’s where they came from. Identity or who we are is a special element of our lives, no matter where we go and settle.

The moral of this story is to know who you’re. Don’t rely on information from the media because it’s not 100 percent reliable. Do yourself a favour and do some research. Go and see for yourself. Tomorrow, your children will ask you where they are originally from. At school, they can’t escape the question, ”Where are you originally from?”

Hopefully, you find this post, ‘Living In Zimbabwe – Common Misconceptions’ informative. Please leave comments and questions below. I’m more than happy to respond as soon as I can.