Victoria Falls town centre: Residents are failing to pay their rates to the council owing to job losses in the tourism sector due to the global pandemic. Image by Bgabel | Wikivoyage

by Bokani Mudimba

Victoria Falls’ economy is centred around tourism, COVID-19 has left a tail of economic destruction across the town, local government wants to conduct business as usual, residents say they will not have any of it.

Artisanal mining has become a source of income for panners at a time when there are high levels of unemployment in Zimbabwe. Image by Julien Harneis | Flickr

by Lizwe Sebatha

The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened existing challenges related to unemployment and poverty in Matabeleland South. With hundreds of people flocking to mine gold without a license, exposure to coronavirus is a major concern.

The precious liquid has remained scarce in most rural Matabeleland South areas forcing people to travel long distance in search of water. Image by Elliot Siamonga | The Patriot

by Lizwe Sebatha

In parts of rural Matabeleland South, washing hands to prevent the spread of COVID-19 seems unrealistic. Water to drink for both people and livestock is scarce, for these villages, water is used by political leaders as a campaigning tool and nothing comes from it.

In Matabeleland South hordes of children drop out of school for gold mining. Image by New Ziana

by Amanda Ncube

Matabeleland South recorded the highest percentage of child labour about six years ago. This year, COVID-19 has placed children out of school and caused economic shocks—leading children back to labour in hazardous environments.

A bus from Binga carrying some goats for sell in Victoria Falls. Image by Bokani Mudimba | The Citizen Bulletin

by Bokani Mudimba

Binga livestock traders have for long been beneficiaries of a thriving economy enabled by tourism in Victoria Falls where they would travel to sell their chickens and goats. COVID-19 halted this business—the gradual re-opening of the industry is giving them hope, but the closure period has been a time to reflect on empty promises and failed projects that have made them resort to selling their highly valued wealth.