Success Majaramhepo
WHILE many are looking at the rising cost of commodities on the supermarket shelves and the declining purchasing power of their earnings, very few have stopped to ponder about the lives of University of Zimbabwe students, who after graduation are expected to lead the country in one way or another.
An investigation by ZimSentinel into the country’s premier and oldest university college revealed shocking cases of squalid conditions and poverty that many of the students who fail to get accommodation on campus are going through.
In one extreme case, 40 students are living in an overcrowded four-bedroomed house in a suburb next to the college as they try to cut on travel expenses. However, they live in fear of an epidemic.
“We are sharing one bedroom with one kitchen plus a toilet and a bathroom. Worse still, we are fifteen making life difficult for us. We are paying US$400 per semester, inclusive of accommodation, breakfast, lunch and supper,” said one student
House-owners are pouncing on desperate students from outside Harare, charging rentals in forex. A house along Mandel Road, commonly known as Pagogo, is charging US$133 per month excluding food.
A student who stays at the house says people are taking advantage of the situation, thereby making huge profits.
“People are maximizing profits from students,” said the student on condition of anonymity.
Another student, Shonnlya Masocha said they find squatting in overcrowded conditions cheaper after failing to secure accommodation at the university, but the congested dwellings put a strain on their studies.
The accommodation issue makes just a fraction of the problems facing student at the once prestigious university, which produced some of the country’s leading civic, business and political leaders.
The economic malaise, seen fuel and basic commodities price hikes has also worsened the life of university students. Many are now struggling to raise money for tuition, accommodation and their general upkeep, forcing some of the students into petty crimes and prostitution to survive.
Tatenda Majube, who stays in Chitungwiza said the economic crisis was likely force a number of students to drop out of their studies and he would soon drop out of his studies as his parents cannot afford to pay his transport costs.
“The situation is now terrible as some of us are commuting from Chitungwiza every day. Commuter Omnibus are charging ZW$7 per trip, which means on average I need $30 every day,” he said
Student Representative Council (SRC) president Fannuel Kaseke said the increase in cost of living has fueled hyperinflation causing suffering to students with females the most affected.
“Decline of the economy has worsened the situation and females have been now prone and susceptible to unorthodox behaviors for survival,” he said
He further stated that they are urging the university administration and the government to construct more hostels for students.
Subsequently, we are also encouraging the university administration and the government to construct more hostels for students. We also call upon the corporates to come on board in addressing this panacea which has affected students’ welfare.
Currently the university has 4 287 rooms on campus and accommodates 5 000 students, but it is still in need of more due to the ballooning of students’ numbers.