In Zimbabwe, I spoke to one of the employees of the camp. He worked in Cape Town for two years but wanted to return to his homeland. Like many people, he lives with his extended family. He is the only one among his wife, sisters, brothers, parents and children who has a job. They share meals, chores, expenses, pay. The economy is 'the same'. Tourism is gaining popularity, following mining and preceding farming as the county's top industries. When they switched to the US dollar, people lost a lot of money. They still have the old currency, in trillion dollar notes, worthless now. A typical meal would be foraged greens/ leaves, vegetables, termites, served in a big bowl with mealie meal (polenta) and eaten by hand. Meat, bread and juice are only served on holidays and special occasions. A person might work several days just to be able to buy one outfit that they keep safe and unworn until Christmas.
According to the CIA World Factbook, the 2009 unemployment rate was 95%.
Something to think about this Thanksgiving, my fellow Americans.
Good point!
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