In order to survive the harsh economic condition, some youths have turned to a diabolic means to make quick money.
The hard economic situation is not affecting just Nigeria alone, according to a new report by NewsDay, youths in Zimbabwe are now turning to witch-doctors and rituals to make a living.
Below is the full report on how unemployed Nigerian youths who
cannot feed themselves, have embarked on this dangerous practice to make
money.
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Having grown up in Nyama resettlement area of Karoi, Tatenda (not
real name) only decided to settle in Harare after acquiring a degree
from the University of Zimbabwe.
He had dreams of a good life, but they were shattered after his
job-hunting escapades failed to yield anything, as companies, on whose
doors he knocked, were either retrenching or had frozen new posts.
With encouragement from friends in similar situations, he turned to
traditional healers (n’angas) and proliferating prophets seeking an
ointment for finding the elusive dollar.
“I’ve been to a lot of n’angas to enhance my chances of getting money,” he admits reluctantly after half an hour of cajoling.
“I have my degree, but as you can see, I am in informal trading
because there are no jobs. Due to competition, you need an edge to
succeed in informal trade.”
Another graduate, who identified himself as Arnold, admitted that
many young graduates, with nothing to show for the education they
struggled for, were prepared to do anything to stay afloat.
“Desperate circumstances call for desperate measures,” he said.
“It’s painful to note that older men and women are the ones who
are driving modern cars and living in good houses, yet us, the youth,
have nothing. Now I sell second-hand clothes and, as you can see, a lot
of people are doing the same. So it’s a tough situation, hence, I
decided to boost my business by using some voodoo.”
Some of the youths said they sought help at shrines belonging to different apostolic (white-garment) sects.
“I’m doing whatever it takes to get money to fend for my
family, looking after my parents and siblings. Because this government
has failed to manage the economy, we have no hope for a better future,
so I would rather sacrifice my soul to succeed.”
A 25-year-old cross-border trader, who identified herself as Grace,
admitted that they imported a lot of paraphernalia for money-making
rituals.
“Some bring anointed oil, rings and bangles across the borders.
Others use traditional juju to help them avoid troubles associated with
Zimra [Zimbabwe Revenue Authority] officials at the border,” she said. “Even as we sell our wares in the city centre, we also need something else, you know, to boost sales.”
A “prophet” from one of the many apostolic sects admitted that,
while in the past they mainly used to help people who wanted to find
marriage partners or have curses removed from their families, they now
have a new clientele seeking relief from economic challenges or to boost
their small-scale trade.
A local traditional healer weighed in, saying there was now an
influx of young people coming to his shrine seeking financial help in
their businesses.
“They are coming to get help for their small-scale trade, particularly vendors. Most youths are desperate for a better future,” he said.
Independent economists say Zimbabwe’s unemployment rate hovers at
around 80%, but the government puts it at just over 11%, arguing that
most people are now employed in the informal sector.
It is estimated that over 300 000 students are churned out of
schools, colleges and universities every year to join millions who are
already unemployed.
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