Fleeing Zimbabwe means facing death
26 Comments Published by clay April 28th, 2008 in International.Zimbabweans fleeing poverty and starvation in their country take their lives in their hands to cross illegally into South Africa. Dangerous animals, razor wire fences and worst of all, violent gangs. Gretchen Wilson talks with survivors.
Oh my gosh…what is this world coming to? This is the reason why immigration laws and guidelines must be set up and those who are desperate to flee to another country should have options other than illegally crossing. Had there been an easier, more efficient way to cross into South Africa, it would be far less dangerous than having to sneak over. These people are so vulnerable…it’s no wonder they’re a criminal target. However, just because these are illegal immigrants, they still have the basic human right to life.
So many unknown problems and terrors such as this are popping up all over the world…it’s overwhelming. I wish there was a way for the UN to step in and heal a lot of the suffering that’s had, especially in the southern regions of Africa, but I know it’s not that easy. But something must be done. The governments are corrupt, the citizens are out of resources and are resorting to ridiculous means of survival. Something must be done on both ends in order to resolve this problem.
its interesting on how they really try to cross the border even though they know that they can get killed. But sometimes their life is worse where they are than being somewhere else so i guess they will just end up taking the risk. It reminds me of how the mexicans try to cross the border but for us they have more of a security measure. For the people in Zimbabwe they have to be careful of ditches, killers, wires and all kinds of other dangerous things. So i think they have it a lot harder than others when it comes to going to another country.
It is scary to know that there are people who face these kinds of dangers. And yet we worry about things that compared to this seem meaningless. They have to risk there lives to get to a better country, and that doesn’t stop them. They are determined people, who seek to get across, matter what what dangers seem to be ahead. either they are brave, or they think it can’t happen to them. The sad part is that we THINK have it the worst that the world has seen. we are so concerned with ourselves we don’t notice the people around us. even if you tell a bunch of people half of them will forget what you talked about. They face this dangers, they are people who need help, but can we do anything? will we is another question.
Do what you have to survive. This is unfortunate for these people to have to leave their land into the dangers of others. Not only are these people starving but they also must be weak. Gangs will do as they please with these innocent people. Living is worth the sacrifice to them just like it would be for anyone else in their situation. It seems like not many survivors would be left standing considering the treacherous obstacles they are facing.
It’s quite sad when you’re fleeing your country and crossing the boarder just to find yourself in a bigger danger. I guess it is really all up to what you feel is worth it. Are conditions so bad that it’s much better to face violent gangs and dangerous animals? Yes, I know conditions are probably horrible. And even just saying its horrible could be an understatement. But with this, you’ve really gotta think of which is the lesser of two evils. I just hope that the world could be more aware of the things that happen in other countries. I’m pretty sure, that no one really knows about these type of things.
I don’t see how people can become so sick that they start killing innocent, desperate, homeless people for money. It’s sad enough that these people have to flee their homes into another country illegaly just to find shelter, food, work and right when they get there, gangsters and thieves are waiting to be paid or they take your life. It’s really sad that things like this still occur
Ok, this is really very terrible. It’s sad to hear of these stories around the world, especially those in Africa. There are so many problems in that continent and I can’t possibly think of an immediate course of action. $7 a month is what a teacher makes? That’s ridiculous and I don’t understand how these situations can come to fruition. There are organization out there who specialize in spreading awareness. I think that that is the best thing for people to do. TALK TALK TALK. Bring a global awareness. These things can possibly make a difference. Some action, is better than no action at all
i agree with jonathan, the best way to arouse awareness is word of mouth. Freshman year, when everyone found out that the Human Rights class chose the genocide in Rwanda to portray in That’s Infotainment, everyone in the school became an advocate for their cause. Suddenly, being involved for human rights became what was most important, even for a short while, at our school. In cases such as Zimbabwe, the most we can do is become, as Peter Singer warned once tried desperately to do, involved in sending refugees basic needs. Forget the $100 laptop, these people need clean water, food, shelter and security. Millions of dollars are being plunged into causes to help, cure, solve, treat, fight the AIDS epidemic, but how much MORE of an epidemic is global hunger? How about immigration, genocide, water poisoning? Why are popular companies such as MAC and The GAP doing everything they can to send IMMEDIATE relief to these countries, rather than pumping millions (MAC has raised $150 million in FIVE YEARS) into American labs? In the most disease-ridden parts of our world, the people who are labeled AIDS victims will sooner die from starvation than the common flu.
I agree with my peers, what is this world coming to? It is obvious that the U.S. economic growth seems to be lowering with every month and nothing seems to change or slow us down on our spending. Not only is the high population of immigrants affecting us but also the choices we make with our spending aren’t helping either.
Although we know some countries are facing starvation it’s still sad to hear about how the people are affected. People need to not only be aware of what is going on around the world and how it could affect them but also take action. Actions are known to speak louder then words so why not try to reduce poverty and death in theses countries?
I experience this first hand when I went to El Salvador in December. In the resort where we stayed at everything was beautiful and it seemed that El Salvador was doing well on its own. It wasn’t till we left the tourist area and actually went to the REAL EL Salvador where we saw little kids starving on the streets asking for money and bums drunk on every corner where there was a liquor store and I think in a way that’s how the U.S. is.
In a way we are blinded by seeing our own economic wealth that we need to see what is happening out there and attempt to help because when people begin to face poverty and obsession is grown and the need to feel one selves become so great that they will even kill anyone who gets in their way.
I agree with my peers, what is this world coming to? It is obvious that the U.S. economic growth seems to be lowering with every month and nothing seems to change or slow us down on our spending. Not only is the high population of immigrants affecting us but also the choices we make with our spending aren’t helping either. Although we know some countries are facing starvation it’s still sad to hear about how the people are affected. People need to not only be aware of what is going on around the world and how it could affect them but also take action. Actions are known to speak louder then words so why not try to reduce poverty and death in theses countries?
I experience this first hand when I went to El Salvador in December. In the resort where we stayed at everything was beautiful and it seemed that El Salvador was doing well on its own. It wasn’t till we left the tourist area and actually went to the REAL EL Salvador where we saw little kids starving on the streets asking for money and bums drunk on every corner where there was a liquor store and I think in a way that’s how the U.S. is. In a way we are blinded by seeing our own economic wealth that we need to see what is happening out there and attempt to help because when people begin to face poverty and obsession is grown and the need to feel one selves become so great that they will even kill anyone who gets in their way.
Wow! this truly stinks! I think that I would’ve done the same thing and just like many immigrants that live in the U.S. today, they’ve had to do the same thing. I think the only difference is that there’s not that many animals. You can’t blame them for doing it though, there just looking for a better life for themselves and their families.I think that people should see where their coming from. I also think that something should be done about those gangs! Its hard and sometimes you gotta do, whatcha gotta do.
It really sad to see what people will do to have better lives. But sadly, the things people are willing to do will just shock us. People in africa are faced with so many problems already, its just really sad that no they are forced to take situations in their own hands to get out of poverty. Why are the people who are working out there get paid so little? Why doesn’t anybody help them? I understand that there are organizatoins that go to Africa and help out millions of people a day whether its just giving them a meal, a shower, some schooling, and medication. But apparently more needs to be done. I dont think people really understand how bad it is in Africa but as people before me said, talking and spreading the word, and getting help to those in need is the best thing we can do. But who can blame them. Why would anyone want to live in poverty like they do. Everyone just wants to live a happy life
i think this is a horrible thing. I believe we should spend alot of our efforts in trying to helping nations like this. i dont blame them and the actions that they have done. They were just doing what they had to do in order to survice. i couldnt even imagine going through all of that. Not only do they have to endure starvation and gangs but these people also gotta endure animals. this is a horrible thing.
just cross that boarder. do what you gotta do. for africa…i think it cost too much money to waiste on and big boarder around south africa. spend money on police or something else that is more useful. police will stop gang violence and killings….hopefully. what else are the Zimbabweans gonna do?? they are gonna die without food, so might as well just go cross the boarder and find some south african burgers. or whatever they eat.
Even though we hear about poverty in starving 3rd world countries, I think there just has to be a limit. I mean what are these gumagumas thinking?! How cruel can you possibly to kill a person who wants to save their lives, and not to mention the lives of their families. It’s really sad to see and hear the reoccuring news of mexican immigrants crossing the border and the U.S. complaining about it, when there are people across the world that insterad of complaining about “border crossing problems,” are killing people!.. and probably even their childeren! Honestly, I don’t think there’s much a person can do about the situation. I mean they really don’t have any other option. It’s a win lose situation where in which both sides are risks. It’s either risk dying in your homeland or risk getting killed in the journey to a better life.
I know people have said this previously, but I have to agree: this is really sad. Gretchen Wilson talks about how Zimbabweans have no other options, that this is in many ways the only way for them to survive in a healthy way. It’s horrible that the people of Zimbabwe have to brave not only the wildlife–lions, bears, etc.–, scary journey, and police, but they have to avoid the gumaguma as well.
It’s awful that they have no other options, that there is no other path that they can take. In a lot of ways I wish there was something I could do, some way I could help. Maybe I’m just not looking in the right places. It also really sucks that there’s no way to stop the gangs patrolling the border. There doesn’t seem to be any way for the individual countries to stop them either.
It sucks that people have to leave their own country in order to live and survive. More things should be done in order to help these people so that they do not have to risk their own lives to cross the border. Obviously the poverty in Zimbabwe must be really bad for people to risk their lives from wildlife and all the other dangers. I really do not think enough is being done right now to help these people and something more needs to be done so that they have safe water and food to survive and not have to risk their lives to be somewhere better.
That’s horrible. I can’t believe that’s happening. All they are trying to do is live and there are all these people trying to stop them from doing so. I had no idea that this was going on. I thought that having to outwit lions and other dangerous animals would be hard enough, but they also have to watch out for the gumaguma. That really sucks. I would have thought that the people fleeing would be given welcomed to south africa as refugees. I can’t believe that people could be so heartless and mean. It’s a load of crap.
I can’t imagine what i would do. AS a person living in South Africa i would want to help the immigrants cross over safely, away from the gangs, but from what it seems the gangs have all the power.
I can’t blame anyone for trying, the one thing Zimbadwes know is that once over the South Africa boarder, pass the gangs, there is a better life, and it makes sense for them to continue. We live in a world of danger, decisions and hope. The gangs either have noting better to do in there lives than to kill and beat or they live in a life of just as much danger they put upon the imigrants and know no other way to live, but with distruction, coruption, and with wounded consouses. That is at least my opinion. I wonder if those who have made it across the border alive would ever do it again. Suggest to others in Zimbadwe to even go through the touble and danger. Those who have made it say that life is better, “i can feed my self and my child”, does that suggest that more should come and find a way over. I know our country cant help everyone in the world, but man!, We waste so much food here, when they are starving to death over there.
Someone should get an underground railroad going and fast.
This sounds to familiar…this is going around the world. Not only in Zimbabwean. It is happening in our own county. People cross the dessert and the board control. And it is not only board control, but gangs like MS13 and even there own police that terrorizes people crossing over. They kill people for their money and rape women too. They risk their lives just to flee poverty that there countries have. People that just want to make a better life for them and their families.
When I hear new of people crossing illegally its always the something. Of course South Africa does not want them. Why would a country want more poor people to take care. There are only a extra load sucking up there resources. money. It will always come down to money. They want rich people to come to there country. People that are going to help with there economy and spend money….It is not just happening there. ALL OVER THE WORLD.
read this one!!!!!!
This sounds to familiar…this is going around the world. Not only in Zimbabwean. It is happening in our own backyard. People are crossing face the dessert and the board control. And it is not only board control, but gangs like MS13 and even there own police. They kill and steal people for their money and goods. Rape women and other terrible things. They risk their lives just to flee poverty from there county’. People that just want to make a better life for their families and themselves.
When I hear new of people crossing illegally its always the something/news the dangers, which people face. Of course South Africa does not want them. Why would a country want more poor people to take care. They are only a extra load; sucking up there resources. money. It will always come down to money.
They want rich people to come to there country. People that are going to help with there economy…spend money….Its not just happening there. ALL OVER THE WORLD.
I know the danger within Both Zimbabwe and South Africa. A friend of mine who I played soccer with for three years moved to Tanzania and they email back and forth constantly telling us how dangerous it can be if you are not smart. My sister also spent six months in South Africa doing a Study Abroad Program through her college. We were always hearing all the horror stories of people getting kidnapped and raped so my parents and I were always worried about her saftey. I can’t imagine how much more the danger is escalated for those who actually live there in the outskirts of the major cities. With no lights or Government officials there to protect them. My sister relayed stories of Armed R.U.F. soldiers lining the streets and on every corner. Gangs are the Government in some places and it is all they can do to survive for some families.
Comparing what it is like for Mexican families to cross the border, facing miles of desert, armed, angry border patrole, and hopping a literal fence seems like childsplay. Families who want to cross into different borders in Africa must go through countless check points where your passport is checked, you must pay a fine, and they search your vehicle thouroughly. To get out and away from their towns and homes in Zimbabwe, like the article stated, families have to travel at night, take food, run from lions, jackels, leopards, and crocodiles, then have to “outwit ditches and razor wire fences, and that is the easy part.” Then comes the rouge gangs that patrol the borders all hours of the day. The “Guma-Guma” gang members steal all their money, rape the women, and beat the men. The Zimbabweans feel that going through all of this will be worth it and will provide a better life. The Guma-Guma kill for seemingly no reason.
The main reason people risk their lives, facing almost certain death, is because their is food in South Africa. I cannot imagine having to go through all of that and it be better than what was going on at my home. Living in the United States seems like a luxury after hearing stories like this. Where we DONT have to worry about our lives on a daily basis and we DONT have to run from lions and leopards, and armed gang members just to provide for our family.
Hearing this story and others like it are instant reminders that all the bullshit in our lives is really meaningless in comparison. I wish I had the answers for any of this but I do not. I am frustrated and confused to know that we live somewhere that millions (bilions?) are being spent to bring up a nation not wanting our help, while this is going on elsewhere. While so many people are being displaced in Uganda and young men are becoming demented rageful soldiers without a choice. While only one rape case a year is pursued in the Congo and thousands of women are bearing children with 6 or 7 possible fathers whom they have been gang raped by. The situation must be improved but I have no idea what to do from across the ocean.
It is turmoil there. I’m taken back by the brutal reality but I haven’t a clue how to prevent it. Why is this happening? The reality of it all is the same people are killing eachother, and for what? Animals.
Its like being cornered to a cliff, either you jump or get a bullet in the head.
I don’t know how I’d take my chances, but its a terrible situation, you can’t really just state what its like or even imagine what these people face.
Its an ugly situation.
This blog entry just shows how fortunate Americans are. Yes we have our problems but we don’t need to leave out home land to feel safe. I think that this situation is really unfortunate. I don’t feel that anyone should haft to leave where they are from to feel safe. My heart goes out,, honestly it does.
Just imagining how scared these mothers and fathers must feel for the children’s safety, never knowing if they will ever see their children again alive and vise versa. America might have a few worries but nothing compared to the unseen dangers in Zimbabwe. Illegal immigrants? To whom. It seems as if they are illegal immigrants in their home land, what shall make a difference if they relocate. If I were in their shoes I would leave and find a safer location for my family as well, as soon as I could.
I rather die for fighting for my freedom, then to die living as a prisoner.
i suppose that if they would prefer to go through all of the danger and life threatening possibilities of getting into south africa, then it must be better than staying in zimbabwe. i wouldn’t know, as i have never been there. however, it must be a terrible situaton they are in.
it’s, like, a personal choice. if i felt it would be better for me and my family to escape zimbabwe and go through the terrible trek of getting to south america, i would probably go through the whole thing as well.