Thousands of Zimbabweans have returned to their home country, facing significant economic hardship and limited support systems after fleeing intensified xenophobic sentiment and threats in South Africa. The exodus, spurred by anti-immigrant activists' deadlines for undocumented migrants to leave, has left many returnees confronting the same economic difficulties that initially drove them abroad.

Samantha Chimbuya, a 30-year-old who left Zimbabwe in 2019 for better opportunities in South Africa, described the fear and uncertainty that led to her departure. "It was not safe any more. They were raiding our homes, warning us to leave. It was scary," Chimbuya recounted, highlighting the raids and warnings from groups like March and March, which accused migrants of straining public services and taking jobs.

While the South African government did not endorse the deadline and warned against intimidation, thousands of migrants departed amid fears of unrest. By late July, Zimbabwe's Information Minister Zhemu Soda reported that 116,670 Zimbabweans had returned, with over 79,000 making their own arrangements. The government stated that 36,940 were assisted in their return and that nearly 38,000 had registered for employment opportunities.

Upon their return, many, like Chimbuya, find themselves struggling to find work and relying on family and friends. Chimbuya, who paid for her own journey back to Hurungwe, expressed disappointment at not yet receiving any grant to start a small business, a hope she had for rebuilding her life. Her husband remains in South Africa, also facing difficulties.

Reverend Useni Sibanda, executive director of the Zimbabwe Christian Alliance, noted that many returnees had spent years abroad and are coming back without jobs or adequate financial cushions. He added that some had not invested in property in Zimbabwe, leaving them with minimal assets. "They are coming back to a country where there are no jobs and where the social support systems may not be enough to accommodate them," Sibanda stated.

Zimbabwean authorities acknowledge the challenges and are implementing measures to assist the returnees. Local Government Minister Daniel Garwe indicated that returnees are being screened to identify their skills and needs, with plans to establish reintegration centres. The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Schools is considering recruiting qualified teachers among those returning.

Furthermore, the government is encouraging companies to hire skilled returnees and is exploring vocational training and business start-up support. These initiatives aim to leverage the skills acquired abroad and provide pathways for economic recovery for those displaced by xenophobia.

However, the long-term success of these reintegration efforts remains to be seen, as the returnees grapple with a challenging domestic economy and the emotional toll of displacement. The effectiveness of government programs and the willingness of local businesses to absorb a large influx of skilled and unskilled labor will be critical factors in their ability to rebuild their lives.