Source: Tough times for omalayitsha, families take knock – The Southern Eye
THERE is a drop in the number of families surviving on cross-border transporters commonly referred to as omalayitsha in Matabeleland with a latest report warning of tough times for the families.
The transporters have over the years proven to be a blessing for most of the families in the southern region who rely on their courier services, bringing back groceries and other needed basics.
According to the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FewsNet), there is increased petty trade in the province, driving up competition amid dwindling incomes, leaving many families in a fix.
“Petty trade is common in rural and urban areas and is supporting an increasing number of households; however, the high number of households engaging in petty trade is driving increased competition and resulting in overall constrained household income from this source,” the report read.
The report is titled: Increased market dependence likely in deficit areas as stocks start to deplete.
“Remittances in southern areas have declined over the past months,” the report noted.
“Key informants indicate an atypically low number of informal cross-border transporters (omalayitsha) from South Africa and Botswana.”
The report acknowledged an increase in money transfer services may be replacing omalayitsha, but quickly noted dwindling incomes and food insecurity in many households.
“While a shift from informal in-kind remittances to more formal and informal money transfers has reportedly occurred in these areas, key informants indicate that the frequency and values of all forms of transfers are atypically low, impacting food access for households that rely on remittances as a key source of food and income,” it added.
This is at a time when cattle production is also reported to be at an all-time low in the province due to successive droughts.
Matabeleland is a livestock driven economy.
“Cattle market supply, especially across Matabeleland South Province, is reportedly lower compared to last year and average,” the FewsNet report read.
“The decreased supply is due to below-average herd sizes and slow recovery following consecutive years of cattle losses due to past poor rainfall; also, there are very few to no distress or forced sales, as was the case previously.
“Key informants report that some households are considering shifting to only small livestock production due to the high vulnerability of cattle to drought.”
According to government statistics, Matabeleland South cattle herd stands just above 630 000 after losing 19 000 cattle to drought last year.
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