As hopes for Zimbabwe dim, Francistown feels the pinch

Zimbabweans and some Batswana in the city sang, whistled and danced in a massive shout of relief, joy and hope.From the early 2000s Mugabe had presided over Zimbabwe’s spectacular economic downfall that left the country swimming in a foreign debt of over $7 billion, 200% more than its GDP. Zimbabwe’s unemployment rate is currently at 90%.

There was widespread enthusiasm that Emmerson Mnangagwa, who controversially took over from Mugabe, would bring comprehensive reforms that would address the Zimbabwean economic crisis.