It is estimated that, since 2005, around one million and a half people from Zimbabwe have crossed the border to South Africa. The last massive movements were in March 2008, after the general elections were qualified as a fraud. These people flee from the terrible economic situation and of extreme violence for political reasons. However, when arriving in South Africa, they are considered economic migrants and with no refugee status and therefore they cannot receive the international support they deserve. This puts them in a vulnerable position, without access to the minimal social services or job opportunities. They are refugees condemned to live in the shade.

Zimbabwe is at present going through a grave economic and political crisis. The country has an inflation rate around 230.000.000%; the stores are practically empty, the majority of the factories are closed, unemployment rate is over 85% and the majority of families live in extreme poverty conditions(they only eat once a day). In addition harvests are minimal due to disastrous agricultural policies and to bad government planning, frequent energy cuts and bad water administration. The "Agricultural Reform Programme" and the "Operation to restore Order" with which the authorities destroyed 700.000 homes and business enterprises, forced thousands of people to displace or migrate. Life conditions of the displaced within the country are very bad.

The refugees arrive in other countries in terrible conditions, having lost everything, with great traumas and no place of refuge or the possibility to assist and feed their children.


Shoes, a symbol of solidarity and dignity

When the people of Zimbabwe leave their homes for South Africa looking for safety, they do it with new shoes. After hundreds of kilometres on foot, they shoes reach the border destroyed, if they do. Shoes allow us to discover two feelings: the dignity of the refugees and the solidarity of the South African people.

Dignity because in spite of being in a vulnerable situation, the refugees that leave Zimbabwe and enter South Africa, face reality without forgetting their values. "While I was interviewing refugees that arrived at the border, I realized that a woman came with impeccable shoes. Since I was surprised I brought it up in the conversation and she told me that she had borrowed them to come to the interview", according Joanne Whitaker, Director for the Jesuit Refugee Service in the Southern Africa region.

Solidarity, because in spite of news of xenophobia in South Africa, there are students in the country who donate their shoes to migrants arriving at the border. This solidarity is also present in many South African farmers, who offer their harvests to the "refugees" at reduced prices or for free.

And what can be done in this crisis?

"Spanish society may not be able to do much to impact in Zimbabwe politics, but they can do a lot to support these `people who have lost all´ says Joanne. Entreculturas supports the work of the Jesuit Refugee Service which offers health assistance, food and refuge for the population that crosses the border from Zimbabwe. They also work to help that the professional credentials be recognized so that professionals may work in their specialties in South Africa since, for example, there is a shortage of teachers and hospital personnel, but this implies expenses.

Another important line of action is to try that the people form Zimbabwe in South Africa may be recognized as refugees and not as economic migrants so that they may receive the international support they deserve. The advocacy JRS head in Zimbabwe said that "clearly they are people looking for asylum".

"As we have been receiving the people fleeing Zimbabwe, we have realized that it is as important to find out their needs as to listen to their stories. Give them the opportunity to talk. They need to share their stories" says Joanne Whitaker, who adds" I remember a man who came for an interview. I asked him what his work was in Zimbabwe. I can still see how he stood up and said `I have been a teacher all my life¨. He was very proud of it, but also ashamed of having left. It was clear why he was wearing a tie for the interview".