Sharon Chikowore
WITH the country transitioning to the new currency recently introduced by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ), different experiences are emerging as people welcome the new notes hoping the will stabilise the economy.
A snap survey in Mashonaland West Province, saw most people eagerly waiting for the transition to the new currency, saying it is what the country needed.
Patience Chiware, a grocery store worker, said the new currency should start circulating soon so that speculators will not take advantage of the ZiG not being in circulation and start abusing and overcharging the public.
“For some of us, life has really changed. We are able to rate the new currency against the dollar. During the RTGS era, it ended up confusing and the figures were many such that that some people lost their money. So this new currency is the way to go for many people.
“People were being overcharged for transport fares by the tsviriyos, but with the new currency I am confident that people will be paying fair prices. We just want to urge the Government to circulate the currency soon so that we get back to normal,” said Chiware.
Takudzwa Kaseke, a teacher said he was happy with the new currency because he no longer has to carry large sums of money and has already understood the process of how the new currency works.
“This is our currency so, we have to embrace it. I have already understood how much each ZiG is worth compared with the USD. The coming in of the new currency will help us not carry huge sums of money because where we had reached with the RTGS against the US dollar, it was becoming unbearable. I appreciate the new currency and would want to thank the Government for such a move.”
One woman, who preferred anonymity, said she was still adapting and was using a calculator to buy her groceries after converting the ZIG to USD equivalent.
“The funny thing about it is, I am actually getting ma TM with a calculator. As you saw me, I was calculating everything. So, I check the price in ZIG then I use my calculator to see how much it will cost me in USD. To me it’s easier that way and I know soon ndenge ndakutoziva nemusoro and not using the calculator,” she said.
Tarisai Shoko, a supermarket owner in Chinhoyi, said: “People are adapting and vaakuziva. Those who are a bit slow, the good thing is, they ask when they get kumatills. I see they are understanding how the rates are working and the supermarket systems have already been updated and we are ready to go.”
