South Africa-based Zimbabwean human rights activist and philanthropist, Nobuhle Virginia Ajiti, still has vivid memories of the time she decided to cross the crocodile infested Limpopo River in 2008 in search of greener pastures in South Africa.
Ajiti, aged 39, did not have any travel documents.
“I decided to come to South Africa around 2008 because the non-governmental organisations I was working for closed shop,” she said.
“I decided to move to South Africa to look for greener pastures.
“My migration was not easy; I do not want to lie.
“When I came to South Africa for the first time I had no travel documents.
“I experienced a lot of difficulties, something that I do not want to dwell on because crossing the bush without papers as a woman will be endangering in a serious way, but of course it taught me the importance of documentation. “
Ajiti said she later managed to regularise her stay in South Africa to avoid deportation back to Zimbabwe.
When she left Zimbabwe, the country was in the midst of its worst economic crisis with world record breaking inflation.
The country had to be forced to abandon the local currency after it was battered by hyperinflation.
Years on, Ajiti is now a consultant for a number of organisations, with her services aligned to fighting gender based violence.
Ajiti is a victim of gende- based violence.
“I am based in Johannesburg and I work as a consultant for a number of organisations such as Kopanang Africa Against Xenophobia, Rise Up Against Gender Based Violence and many other organisations that have anything to do with human rights,” Ajiti said.
She also leads the Nobuhle Virgie Foundation.
“I told myself that I must form the foundation to assist people because when I was in pain I did not know where to go,” she said.
“I always wanted that if people are in trouble they should come and get help or I would refer them somewhere else.
“I work with those who volunteer, those who meet me and assist in many things I do.
“For example, I run soup kitchens weekly and there are people who assist me in preparing food and give it to the vulnerable and food insecure people.”
According to Ajiti, they feed at least 500 homeless people every week.
“There are too many people we are helping,” she said.
“At first it started as a hobby, but with growth and more eyes fixed on it I had to finally register it last year in June.”
Ajiti says her humanitarian commitment also spreads to those that encounter gender based violence.
“I also have a legal team that volunteers time to assist me in issues where I would be intending to help people,” Ajiti said.
Ajiti said her organisation does not only deal with migrants, but also helps South African citizens.
“For example we assisted a lady from the Free State in South Africa as Zimbabwean nationals here,” she said.
“She was staying alone in the makeshift shelter and we discovered that she was being eaten by rats when we arrived at the place.
“Unfortunately, she passed away...the family had no means to bury her and we had to ask a Zimbabwean owned funeral parlour to assist in her burial, so we do not only help foreign migrants but even locals.”
Ajiti said migrants are the most vulnerable in South Africa than locals.
She said her organisation has also assisted some stranded Zimbabweans, who need voluntary repatriation.
“We have assisted many people. For example last year we assisted around 22 to 23 of those who lived on the streets and wanted to go back home last year,” she said.
“We also follow up on those who are unlawfully arrested to assist them.
Ajiti has received several awards over the years such as the Zimbabwe Achievers Awards, Community Champion of the Year, Lopeco Awards under the European Union Women on fight gender based violence for her works.
Global Immigration and Legal Consultancy Legal Director, Gabriel Shumba, said Ajiti’s organisation was a necessary intervention to protect the rights of the homeless migrants, and other citizens.
Shumba said his wish was to see Zimbabwe having similar organisations that seek to cultivate humanity and protection of human rights regardless of nationality.
“In contrast to Zimbabwe, there are many uncompromising and uncompromised institutions for the protection of human rights. Because these are rights for all the citizens, we hope that Zimbabwe will move in the right direction,” he said.