Zimbabwe’s children and the human tide of migration
Rutendo Manhimanzi
Every morning in Zimbabwe’s towns and villages, a new generation awakens with dreams shaped as much by the open road as by the classroom.
For thousands of children, migration, both within and beyond the country’s borders, has become a defining part of childhood. Some leave with their families in search of better opportunities. Others travel alone, driven by desperation, violence, or hope. The story of migration and children in Zimbabwe is a story of resilience, loss, danger, and aspiration.
A childhood in transit
At first glance, migration might seem like an adult phenomenon. Yet children are increasingly at the heart of this shifting landscape. Each year, thousands of Zimbabwean children are swept into migration flows—crossing borders with parents or caregivers, sent ahead by families, or embarking alone. The reasons are diverse, rooted in economic hardship, climate shocks such as droughts and floods, family reunification, education, and in some cases, conflict or abuse.
Some children leave Zimbabwe with their families, seeking work, safety, or stability in neighbouring countries such as South Africa, Botswana, and Mozambique—or even farther afield. Others embark on perilous journeys alone, propelled by limited opportunities at home and the hope of a better future abroad.
Why Children Move
Migration among Zimbabwean children is deeply tied to family decisions and national challenges.
- Economic Pressures
The economic situation prevailing, high unemployment rates and limited opportunities are a great push factor to migrate. For many families, migration is a strategy for survival.
Parents often send children to live with relatives in towns or neighbouring countries, hoping they will have better access to education or work. Other families migrate together in search of casual labour, remittances, or more affordable living conditions.
In rural areas hit by drought, young people increasingly view migration as a way to support their families. Across the country, remittances from relatives abroad are a key source of household income.
- Education and Family Reunification
Some children migrate to join parents or older siblings already living in other countries. The desire and hope being better opportunities. Yet this process can have hidden costs children are separated from extended family support networks and often struggle with identity, belonging, and adaptation in new environments.
iii. Environmental and Social Drivers
Extreme weather including droughts and cyclones has displaced many families in recent years. With agriculture being a backbone of rural livelihoods, climate disruption pushes households to migrate in search of stability.
Social issues such as domestic violence, child marriage and abuse are also some of the reasons why some children leave home particularly teenage girls who migrate internally or across borders.
Crossing Borders: Risks and Realities
For children on the move, the journey is often fraught with risks. Whether crossing into South Africa via the Beitbridge Border Post or travelling to Botswana and Zambia, many children navigating migration on foot or hidden in transport face exploitation by smugglers and traffickers. This further culminates into child labour, sexual exploitation, and coercion.
Legal and Protection Challenges
Children crossing borders often lack proper documentation. Unaccompanied minors, in particular, may not have passports, permits, or guardianship papers. This exposes them to detention, deportation, or statelessness.
Zimbabwe has laws in place to protect migrant children, including the Constitution of Zimbabwe, the Children’s Act and the Trafficking in Persons Act. However, enforcement and implementation remain a challenge. Guardianship and adoption laws can provide a safeguard for children in migrating families, but the process can be complex and time-consuming.
Migration also affects those who stay. Many Zimbabwean parents migrating for work leave children behind with relatives or caregivers. “Left-behind” children may benefit economically from remittances, but they can also experience emotional distress, behavioral problems, and lack of parental guidance.
Responses and Interventions
Zimbabwe is a signatory to international conventions on children’s rights, including the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Palermo Protocol (Trafficking in Persons Protocol). The government’s National Child Protection Strategy emphasizes prevention of exploitation, safe migration pathways, and reintegration support. However, implementation remains uneven due to resource constraints and the scale of migration flows.
Regional Cooperation should encourage member states to promote data sharing, harmonised policies and joint monitoring as they are essential to safeguarding migrant children’s rights. Non-Governmental Organisations such as UNICEF, Save the Children, and many others operate shelters, hotlines, and reintegration programmes. They also work on awareness campaigns about the risks of irregular migration. These shelters also provide counselling services, trauma support, life skills training, and education for returned children.
Looking Ahead
Migration is not inherently negative it can offer opportunities, broaden experiences, and strengthen families economically. Remittances from migrant workers contribute significantly to Zimbabwe’s economy and to household well-being. However, when children are central to these movements, risks multiply exposing them to exploitation, disrupted education, psychological trauma and legal vulnerability.
Sustainable solutions must be multi-faceted including but not limited to:
- Strengthening child protection frameworks
- Improving economic opportunities
iii. Enhancing access to education and health services
- Promoting safe and legal migration pathways
- Consistently supporting families with social safety nets.
Communities also play a crucial role. Local leaders, educators, and parents can help children understand the dangers of irregular migration and the value of staying engaged in school and community life.
Conclusion: A Generation in Transit
Zimbabwe’s children stand at a crossroads shaped by forces that push them outward and dreams that pull them forward. For some, migration brings opportunity; for others, it brings hardship or uncertainty. What remains clear is that the future of Zimbabwe’s next generation cannot be written in borders alone.
As the nation reflects on policies, resources, and priorities, the voices and experiences of migrating children must be central. For behind every statistic is a child whose journey whether literal or metaphorical narrates a story of courage, sacrifice, and hope.
Rutendo Manhimanzi is a registered Legal Practitioner, and she practices under the Law Firm Tapera Muzana and Partners. She can be reached on +263 773 589 263 or email rmanhimanzi@yahoo.com
