Zimbabwe is projected to have a population of 23million by 2023 and that is 9 years away from now. The rate of population growth is ranges from 2.4-3% so good folks, the country is going to have more citizens than we currently have!

The current proportion of youths is estimated at 67.7% but by 2030 they may well be above 80%. Now here are some important considerations;

• The land size is not going to expand but will remain CONSTANT,
• The housing backlog will continue to increase until it becomes a security risk,
• In rural areas most of the idle land will be occupied with more pressure for resettlement,
• The NDS projects the internet penetration rate of 75% by 2025 so by 2030 could well be above 80%,

This helps explain why Strive Masiyiwa is constantly talking about the future with the youth in mind. If you are not talking about the future of opportunities that include an increased population where technology plays an influential role, then you are offside!

Opportunity wise, what does it mean to be around 2030?

Food Opportunities: Its common sense, we need to improve our efficiency in food production to cater for increased population. Our farms should ramp up production by mechanisation and effective use.

Tech Opportunities: Tech revolution already underway with 4IR and will affect every sphere of life from food, health, transport, education, entertainment, employment and more.

Green Opportunities: Climatic change is the driver of green energy—reduction of carbon dioxide emissions at the core of priorities. Already most Western countries have banned fuel powered vehicles production beyond 2030. This sector has catapulted Elon Musk to the top of the billionaires table. We are going to have our own African billionaires too connected to this area. As we have witnessed over the past few years–climatic change is real—3 cyclones in the 2021 rain season (Chalane, Eloise and Guambe), this is unprecedented and in future expect even 10 cyclones in one season, or a cyclone in June? Expect prolonged drought seasons too. Later during the year expect some earth movements as the earth crust adjust to the increased water levels. So to those in the Eastern region, small earth tremors are automatic this year and over the years they could increase in intensity. Do carry out a Green Opportunities Value Chain that looks at alternative energy, new housing models and more

Housing Opportunities: The current housing backlog estimated at 1,5 million. What is it likely to be in 2030? Obviously bigger and the question is will Harare accommodate more than 2 million residents? Will the city have enough land for double its population size? There is going to be a movement of urban to rural migration which is why it’s extremely important to guard and protect your current rural area land—there are going to be serious conflicts related to land in the coming years. On a construction tip, who is going to be constructing homes for the extra population? Who is going to provide inputs?

Global Opportunities: We doubt whether many countries are having this discourse on the future of opportunities, therefore to those fortunate to bump into this, consider cheap land in Zambia and Malawi for farming purposes as an investment for future generations, consider the new opportunities brought by an increased globalised world. Cheap internet charges, all rural areas with access to the internet. The question is who will provide the 4IR gadgets? Shops that sell cellphones, laptops, ipads are not closing anytime soon—infact will be expanding! Fintech opportunities to expand, the online population to expand too with probably 15 million Zimbabweans connected to the internet. Online schools from as far as Japan could well be providing lessons to Zimbabweans through robots. Our forum which reached 1 million views in February could well be attracting 10 million views with a community of over a million members. Crypto currencies could be the norm—finally accepted across the globe as a currency of choice.

So dear Zbinite, pause for a while and think about how the world will look like in 2030, look back at how the world looked like in 2010 and the changes you have seen. The rate of change in the next 5-10 years will even be faster with everything centred around technology and an increased young population.

Of course we do not often have the luxury of looking far into the future but in the developed world, they do and this is why we highly recommend following developments in the developed world and for Africans, Strive Masiyiwa is the mouth piece of the future, young populations, technology and opportunities—ignore him at your own peril.

A man sells a top of the range vehicle at a car garage along Prince Edward Avenue, deal concluded, he collects his cash and heads home to Madokero. Before he reaches home, he is robbed and US$40k is lost in the process!

In Waterfalls, armed robbers got away with US$56k and R28k after raiding a home 3 weeks back. Last week on Thursday, a family was attacked by robbers around 7:00pm with the robbers getting away with an undisclosed amount of money.

Another private school was mobilising funds for the purchase of a school bus, they held several meetings with parents who paid various amounts in cash. When they had accumulated enough resources—robbers pounced and they demanded the exact amount in the possession. One of the parents definitely involved!

In Norton, robbers followed a popular business man, they masqueraded as builders next door at an open space and started small work inorder to mask their monitoring project. They were patient for a good 30 days before pouncing on his home and disappearing with more than US$40k.

We wrote about this some few months ago that we were entering a dollarization period and this meant most transactions conducted in US Dollars cash. With our economy highly informalised, this means billions of dollars circulating in the informal sector with homes and offices used for safe keeping!

Transportation of cash=vehicles,

Safe keep=homes or offices,

High value transactions mostly involve sell and purchase of vehicles, residential stands and properties, school fees, company purchases and others.

Time of home robberies: Between 7:00pm and 9:00pm

How are robbers getting access to information of cash stored?

• Those involved in gold mining or trading are at High risk,
• If you are a business person with operations in the area of residence=High Risk,
• If you are conducting business at home—with clients visiting your premises=High Risk,
• If you withdraw large amounts of money from banks=High Risk,
• Private or other schools that receipt greenbacks =High Risk,
• If you disclose information on intention to purchase or sell high value items=High Risk,
• If where you stay is known or your movements known=High Risk,
• Driving top of the range vehicles or vehicles with foreign plates=High Risk,
• Driving late at night or your travelling habits predictable=High Risk,

Mitigatory Measures

Do a risk analysis on the cash that you handle. What if it’s stolen? Should you keep all cash in hand or bank it?

What information are you disclosing to the public about your location, movements, amount of wealth you possess and welfare? Times are different—these are high risk times—review your security plan especially information recklessly dished out.

Are your employees complaining about low salaries or non payment of salaries whilst you collect huge amounts of money from sales? Pay them market or reasonable salaries. Most robberies are coming from inside information and in most cases from disgruntled employees.

Conducting business operations from home? Even poultry farmers are getting robbed of their chickens. Do not allow clients on your premises—rather meet clients some safe distance away from your premises.

Buying or selling vehicles? First do not do this at your home, secondly if you intend to bank it, then better do so near bank and immediately enter the banking hall and safely deposit funds. If it’s a cash transaction then better visit a police station to reduce risks. Our advice is try by all means necessary to avoid carrying huge amounts. Do not move from car sale to the next with the intention of buying vehicles—you send a signal to robbers!

Consider engaging security companies in case of huge funds transactions. Yes its costly but saves you the headache of losing all of your funds.

We expect the economy to slowly open up as Covid-19 cases plateau but this could mark a high risk period for entrepreneurs as evening movements will increase and it is the period preferred by robbers.

Schools should avoid at all costs receipting and keeping cash on their premises as they may not have enough security. They need to be aware that receipting cash in public increases risks just like the case study of the school bus purchase covered above.

On a parting shot—avoid travelling long distances in order to effect a payment or collect cash. This will be like walking into a lion’s den—you don’t know the area enough, you are meeting strangers and it’s anybody’s guess what will happen next.