Source: Ntsiki Mazwai Sparks Debate, Wants South Africa to Swallow Zimbabwe – ZimEye
South African activist and poet Ntsiki Mazwai has ignited debate on social media after suggesting that Zimbabwe could be incorporated into South Africa as one of its provinces, citing the growing number of Zimbabweans migrating south in search of work and stability.
In a video posted on X (formerly Twitter), Mazwai argued that Zimbabweans are already deeply integrated into South African society through labour, business, and culture. She questioned what the long-term implications would be if Zimbabwe formally joined South Africa, adding that such a move could shift the focus toward the development of cities such as Harare, Bulawayo, and other urban centres within a broader South African economic framework.
Her remarks come against the backdrop of decades of sustained migration from Zimbabwe to South Africa, driven by economic collapse, high unemployment, currency instability, and political repression. Since the early 2000s—particularly following land reform disruptions, hyperinflation, and repeated contested elections—millions of Zimbabweans have crossed into South Africa, making them the country’s largest group of foreign nationals. Many work in construction, agriculture, domestic labour, healthcare, education, and the informal sector, while others run small and medium-sized businesses.
South Africa has responded over the years with a mix of temporary legal protections, such as the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP), and periodic immigration crackdowns, reflecting the tension between economic reliance on migrant labour and rising domestic pressure over unemployment and service delivery.
While Mazwai’s proposal is largely symbolic and provocative rather than practical, it taps into wider regional debates about migration, borders, economic integration, and the failure of post-liberation states to deliver prosperity. Her comments have drawn mixed reactions online, with some dismissing the idea as unrealistic, while others see it as highlighting the depth of Zimbabwe’s crisis and the extent to which its citizens have been forced to seek livelihoods beyond their borders.
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