--- title: "Zimbabwe elections — ‘I wish I could go home and vote but it is financially impossible’" description: "Daily Maverick spoke to three Zimbabweans living around Burgersfort, Limpopo, who were not able to return home to take part in the elections on 23 August, 2023." type: "NewsArticle" publisher: "Daily Maverick" site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za" section: "ELECTION DAY VOICES" author: "Jim Mohlala" author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/jim-mohlala/" canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-08-23-zimbabwe-elections-i-wish-i-could-go-home-and-vote-but-it-is-financially-impossible/" published: "2023-08-23T15:35:06" lang: "en-ZA" word_count: 522 --- # Zimbabwe elections — ‘I wish I could go home and vote but it is financially impossible’ > Daily Maverick spoke to three Zimbabweans living around Burgersfort, Limpopo, who were not able to return home to take part in the elections on 23 August, 2023. By Jim Mohlala · Published 23 August 2023, 17:35 SAST ## Key points - Despite the personal struggles of being undocumented, three Zimbabwean residents in South Africa wish they could take part in the crucial elections back home, hoping for a better future for their country. - Farai, Kudzai and Chenai are all undocumented Zimbabwean residents living in South Africa. - Despite financial and security concerns, they all wish to return to Zimbabwe to vote in the elections and bring about change. - They hope that the collective voices of those still in the country can resonate and lead to a new chapter of progress and unity. - Their surnames have been withheld and photos not published as a security precaution. ## Content #### **Farai — self-employed electrician from Burgersfort** “I wish I could go home and vote but it is financially impossible for me, I struggled to come here, and going back means there is a chance that I might not be able to come back, not just because of financial reasons but because it took me a lot to get here \[to South Africa\], and I do not imagine having to go back home. “Zanu-PF must be stripped of its ruling powers because they did nothing but collapse my country. I, along with many others were convinced that they were the right \[leadership\] to take over from Mugabe but little did we know. “My family says they \[the ruling party\] are forcing young people to go to rallies, yes I believe them, I have no reason not to believe them. I worry about their safety all the time, that is the most concerning thing to me at the moment, we will see what happens after the elections and I doubt there is a normal citizen who doesn’t want Zanu out.” **Read more in Daily Maverick:**[The youth of Zimbabwe are already jaded](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-08-22-the-youth-of-zimbabwe-are-already-jaded-reflections-on-voting-in-the-elections-on-wednesday/) #### **Kudzai — street vendor, Bothashoek** “I find myself longing to return to Zimbabwe to exercise my right to vote in the hope of bringing change by ousting the ruling Zanu-PF party. The desire for change is strong within me, as I witness the struggles of my fellow citizens who remain in the country. However, the harsh reality of my financial situation restrains me from making the journey back home. I live hand to mouth, with meagre savings, just enough to sustain myself day by day. The thought of leaving behind the little security I have for the chance to be a part of a potential turning point in Zimbabwe’s history is both daunting and inspiring. **Read more in Daily Maverick:**[Zimbabwe goes to the polls, with civil society and opposition voicing deep concerns](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-08-22-zimbabwe-goes-to-the-polls-with-civil-society-and-opposition-voicing-deep-concerns/) “As I weigh the decision, I hold onto the belief that the citizens still within the country can make a difference by casting their votes against the incumbent party. I hope that their collective voices can resonate and bring about the change that so many of us yearn for. It’s a bittersweet dilemma — the wish to be physically present, standing shoulder to shoulder with my fellow Zimbabweans in this crucial moment, and the struggle to afford the journey back home. **Read more in Daily Maverick**: [‘We are tired’ – Zimbabweans headed home to vote pin their hopes on change to end their ‘suffering’](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-08-22-zimbabweans-headed-home-to-vote-pin-hopes-on-change/) “I remain hopeful that the people’s desire for change will overcome the obstacles in its path and lead the nation towards a new chapter of progress and unity.” #### **Chenai — door-to-door vegetable seller, Praktiseer** “I find myself in a challenging situation. While I’m here in South Africa, I’m eager to go back home to Zimbabwe to vote and contribute to change by hoping that Zanu-PF will be voted out.” **DM** *The three interviewees are undocumented residents and thus their surnames have been withheld and their photos have not been published as a security precaution.*