Hyper Inflation in Zimbabwe: Can it Get Worse?

In the Spring of 2001 I had the good fortune to spend a month in Zimbabwe, Africa attending a wedding. At the time most publications referred to it as the “bread basket” of Africa.  “Zim” was one of the largest food exporters in Africa.

It is often said that where plants grow well, it’s an ideal climate for people.  I agree.  I enjoyed traveling around a bit, although we were very well off compared to the locals. 

Then it was off to the ‘bush’ for a week of safari.  Great stuff.  In the last 15 min, of the 7th day on Safari, I finally witnessed a lioness chasing some warthogs.
I was the optimist when everyone had given up on one of the BIG 5 –we had seen all the others, but the liones. The last minutes before we left #5 came to view, and I have the pictures to prove it.

Anyway, about 2 hours later I was at the local airport waiting to catch a plane to Victoria Falls, when I met a missionary from Mississippi who was there to “help the locals” better their lives.  I got into a conversation with him as to WHY Zimbabwean’s were having all these problems.
He went on to explain that this was all a legacy of the British Empire and the treatment and discrimination by the minority white farmers.

I pointed out that the British left leaving, yes white farmers, who had made Zim the bread basket of Africa, when there were mounting problems elsewhere on the continent.  Still I kept listening.  Then I pointed out that the educational system that was also left by the British was still working and ‘cranking out college grads’ who had nothing to do in the local economy.
Back then the dollar was around $120ZIM dollars.

Then he pointed to all the problems in America –how bad things were.  I again said sorry, it is and always will be a land of opportunity.
 
Then we moved on to the rest of the conspiracy theories to which I said the following:  Often the problems are caused by the local leaders who may come to power for the right reason, but soon get corrupted by the very power. It’s is true in Zim, in Cuba, where the leader kicked out his mother off her farm to make a point nearly 50 years ago. It is true in many other places where the ‘powers use’ outsiders as scapegoats to “pummel their brothers into -well, into nothing”.

The part that angered me was that the Zim government should have taken what was handed to them by the British and BUILT UP IT. That was not happening. It was all mismanagement, leading to people begging! When problems like a 40% HIV infection rate and mass hunger needed to be dealt with, the LEADER was talking aobut kicking the rest of the farmers out.

That process took a turn today for the worse.  According to news reports, Zim is entering a period of Hyper Inflation.  Perhaps, that $ (dollar) that was worth pennies a few years ago will be worth a 1,000 times less.  Yes, $1.00/12,000 or something like that.

How long will it last?  Unfortunately, Mugabe will last a bit longer.  I hope the people will survive it and out last him.

I sincerely hope so.  When I entered the Country, the customs agent was very nice and thanked me for visiting at a time when most tourists were staying away.  It seemed like all the people I met there were very nice. Unfortunately, the poor leadership is planning to take the few million Zimbabwean’s down with them.  I don’t like to wish ill-health to anyone, but this is an exception. I hope Mugabe is in his last days.

Rich Sage.