Looking back…as I see it…
It all started with an economic meltdown in Zimbabwe. Petrol queues winding their way for three days or a week. Edwin Shinga remembers seeing a brick in a queue used as a place-holder indicating that someone is in the line of cars. They were busy somewhere and would show up after the awaited fuel bowser delivered something. It was the days of importing 200litres of fuel from South Africa.
Edwin resolved to search for employment in South Africa. With 23 years of teaching experience, he stood a good chance to secure a job through the South African Department of Education which wanted Mathematics and Science teachers who had only 2 years’ experience. Moreover, he had two brothers working in Johannesburg, surely they could help him get started. He took a bus to Gaborone, the capital city of Botswana in search of employment. Nothing materialised so he proceeded to Johannesburg in confidence that he would land a job soon after I showing up in the great city.
Economically, South Africa faired way ahead of Zimbabwe and there was a critical skills-shortage. Some people were even offering Zimbabweans a work-permit and South African ID to speed up securing a job. Most of these identity documents were fake and the government system could not recognize them at border posts. It was a get-rich-quick racket victimizing many desperate foreign nationals who were looking for work in South Africa. The South African Home Affairs exposed this scum, leaving thousands who had such documents stranded, if not deported back to their country of origin.
Edwin secured a couple of promising interviews. Boston City Campus had the position of a Compliance Officer, Rosebank College had a screening interview which he misunderstood for a real job offer and there were other endless HR positions. All of them required a South African ID or work permit, which he did not have. All he said to recruiting officials was, “I am working on it.”
Despite the initial setbacks, his unwavering determination and resilience began to pay off. After those promising interviews, he received an offer for a teaching position at a government high school in Pretoria. The school was particularly impressed with his extensive experience and passion for education, especially in Mathematics.
With the job secured and the necessary work permit finally approved, he relocated his family from Harare to Pretoria. The transition was punctuated with numerous hiccups. His brothers in Johannesburg were not only reluctant to help but very suspicious why he was suddenly keen to join them. The search for a family house, schools for his 2 daughters in high school and a son in primary were quite a challenge. The children were excited to move to a country they had heard so much about. It was their dream shopping destination, away from the lengthy queues for almost any day-to-day necessities back in Harare. The parents were taking a hard knock from the cultural shock and economic demands of paying for everything needed to survive. In Harare both Edwin and his wife were employed. The family occupied a spacious garden flat, with water, electricity and a gardener at a highly subsidized cost right on the school site where Edwin was employed. The family enjoyed full Medical Aid and paid no school fees for the children as part of Edwin’s perks. Currently, only Edwin was employed, with none of the subsidies and he had to pay for everything. He knew that going back to Harare was not an option.
Edwin’s family finally made it…
In Pretoria, Edwin’s family quickly adapted to the new community and the opportunities it offered. The children thrived in their new schools, making friends and excelling in their studies. His wife found secured a job and together, they built a strong support network with other relatives and new friends the area.
Professionally, Edwin flourished in his new role, coupled with innovative teaching methods and dedication to his students; he was recognized and respected by colleagues and the school administration. He even started coaching Volleyball aimed at helping students to gain self-confidence. This became a huge success and brought the community closer together.
Over time, the family established deep roots in Pretoria, creating lasting friendships and cherishing the new life. The children completed university and pursued careers of their choice. The eldest daughter met the love of her life and married him at a huge gathering in Harare. The only son even secured a remote job in addition to a full-time day job. Looking back, the journey from Harare to Pretoria was filled with challenges, but it ultimately led to a fulfilling and prosperous chapter in Edwin’s family
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