An investigation into the transfer of cash remittance from sender regions into rural Zimbabwe: The case of Dandanda ward In Lupane west district.

Abstract

While the volume of remittances to developing countries has been growing significantly over the years remittances have not received much attention in the migrants’ countries of origin. As a result, the development potential of remittances has not been fully utilized. However, some countries have realized the development potential of remittances and have developed strategies to encourage the flow and investment of remittances. Several studies on international migration from Zimbabwe to South Africa have been carried out but in these studies the role of remittances, especially from undocumented migrants has received limited attention both as a research and policy issue. The Home link facility established by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe in May 2004 excludes undocumented migrants who are unlikely to use formal channels to send their remittances back home. Evidence from interviews and observations in Dandanda ward indicate that a wide network of international migrant remitters are ameliorating the economic crisis in Zimbabwe by sending monetary and in-kind transfers to over 50 per cent of rural households in Dandanda. The research combines quantitative measurement of scale and scope, with demographic and qualitative narrative to build a holistic picture of receiving households. This paper explores the nature of remittance transfer in Dandanda of remittances including nature of flows into the rural area in Dandanda.