“Ziggy? In this day and age? Is he mad? Let me give you 10ZiG and go to Mbare Musika. See if you can come to me with a bowl of mazhanje. They will just frown at you. Now what is 30,000ZiG? What do these people take us for? Do they know that we also have families to feed? Who accepts ZiG these days? Remember we have to put diesel in the truck using US dollars. Pay tollgate fees in US currency. And for all that effort, to get ZiG in Mutoko is a joke.”
This is one response I got from a prominent musician who I was asked to contact by a well-known music promoter based in Mutoko.
Let me put you in the picture!
I was recently contacted by a music promoter from Mutoko who wanted a band to perform at his night club on Christmas Eve, December 24. He said he would pay ZiG 30,000 for the performance, all inclusive. He pointed out that he was interested in one of three bands in particular. I got in touch with the first band and their manager flew off the handle. He expressed the sentiments I have opened this article with. I did not bother with the other two as I knew that I would get more or less the same response. I told the Mutoko promoter to forget it.
It got me thinking. I went around asking prominent musicians such as Jonah Moyo of Devera Ngwena Jazz Band, Charles Charamba, Diana wekwa Samkange, Gwenya Gitare Mono Mukundu, Forward Mazuruse, Munyaradzi Mataruse, Noel Zembe, Emmanuel Thomas, Tererayi Mugwadi, Tendai Muparutsa, Pablo Nakappa of Transit Crew and several others whether they would accept payment in ZiG for their performances. Below are some of their responses:
One top musician who gave me his response on condition of anonymity had this to say: “You know I am a strong supporter of the government and I will do anything if asked by the government to perform at rallies and other events. However, payment must be made in US dollars because the ZiG loses value on a daily basis. Even at my child’s school, they are asking for payment in US dollars because they know that they cannot re-invest in that currency.”
Herman Chimusoro, a prominent musician reacted this way: “That currency has caused a lot of pain mukoma. Moreso as a service provider the government arms hoodwink you to quote in US dollars and then they pay in ZiG, at very devalued rate. Many service providers have been burned. I would consider payment only in USD.
Master Pablo Nakappa of Transit Crew Band had this to say: “Elder greetings. ZiG racho harisi kutombobatika (We are not even sure how to get hold of the so called ZiG) and most of us don’t really know how it works . If I have ever been so confused with money, ZiG has confused me big time. So in order to avoid this confusion, I would rather stick with the US dollar.”
Diana wekwa Samkange responded: “Hello Fred Zindi how are you? The ZiG is our official currency, being complemented with the US dollars... I wouldn’t turn down a show because there are no US dollars, the ZiG will be my other choice of cause.. it is a mode of payment for me to survive as a musician in Zimbabwe”.
Emmanuel Thomas, former Frontlike Kids band member who has just released a single titled Kuvhuvhuruka with another past Frontline Kids member, Noel Zembe expressed concern about the use of the ZiG. This is what he said: "I am planning on buying a car and I went to all the car sales in town. Everything is priced in US dollars. I asked the salesmen if they accepted ZiG currency. Everyone I asked just laughed at me. Only one responded positively and suggested that he would multiply the dollar rate by 60. So for a car that costs US $5,000, I would need ZiG $300,000. That is ridiculous. It will take me years to come up with such money. I would rather pay in US dollars.”
Another former Frontline Kids band member, Filbert Marova, commented that it is easier to trade in US currency. “You can even use it across our borders. With the ZiG, you can’t. You cannot do much with the ZiG even in your own country. You cannot buy petrol using the ZiG and most vendors do not even accept it. They would rather have a torn US dollar note than a brand newly printed ZiG note. I would rather be paid in US dollars or South African rand which are accepted everywhere”.
Munyaradzi Mataruse of Pakare Paye Arts Centre who is getting married next month had this to say: “Imari yenyika baba toita zviripo” (We just have to accept what has been thrust upon us as it is the currency used in the country.”)
Forward Mazuruse, a well-known musician and music entrepreneur remarked:
“ZiG is a no no no. We buy all of our equipment in US dollars and after being paid in ZiG there is no way to change it officially. No thanks to ZiG. After getting paid in ZiG one ends up spending all the money on overpriced groceries in supermarkets.”
Tendai Muparutsa, former Runn Family guitarist had this to say:
“If it works for people in the country, fair enough but I would want to be paid in US dollars.”
Early this year, Zimbabwean musician, Ras Caleb, recorded a song called ZiG Mari to praise the country’s new currency, the ZiG, which was introduced in April 2024. The song was popular on social media and played frequently on state radio and television.
Ras Caleb received a car and US$2 000 from a businessman with ties to the ruling party and President Emmerson Mnangagwa as a reward for his “patriotic” song. The money was paid in US dollars, not ZiG.
The ZiG is Zimbabwe’s sixth currency in 25 years. The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe released the currency features over the weekend of April 6–7, 2024. The introduction of the ZiG was accompanied by public rallies and meetings to encourage the public to accept it. Commercial jingles also played on the radio to promote the currency.
Zimbabweans have also taken to calling the ZiG the Zig-Zag in their dark humour, which is a result of years of economic and political strife.
I went farther to ask ordinary people in the streets of Harare about what they thought of the new currency. The majority of them expressed distrust of the new currency stating that they would rather trade in US dollars. I am sure Donald Trump would be pleased to hear this as he will feel that he can control us.
This distrust of local currency has persisted since 2008, when hyperinflation rendered the Zimbabwean dollar virtually worthless, leading to widespread poverty and mass emigration.
As a result, Zimbabweans are inclined to use the USD and the South African rand, given their relative safety and stability. Statistics from the Reserve Bank of South Africa indicate that 70% of all transactions in Zimbabwe are conducted in USD, compared to 30% in ZiG.
From my survey, it is evident that the majority of Zimbabweans including businesses, would feel more comfortable with the use of the American dollars instead of the ZiG.
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