Surviving the Covid-19 lockdown: Zimbabwe’s informal sector, 2020–2021

SUMMARY

This briefing explores the strategies deployed by informal workers in Harare during Zimbabwe’s Covid-19 lockdown period. It argues that informal workers responded to the lockdown regulations by embracing survival and accumulation strategies which had broader implications for the African continent by ultimately shaping patterns of public health, inequality, authoritarianism and corruption. The briefing provides an example of the consequences when African states unthinkingly imposed unsolicited Covid-19 restrictions that had the unintended effect of devastating a vital part of their economy and with it, the livelihoods of the poorest majority.

KEYWORDS:

• Covid-19
• informal sector
• Zimbabwe
• lockdown

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to extend their gratitude to the informants who were willing to participate in the study.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Vincent Chenzi

Vincent Chenzi is a Lecturer of Conflict, Peace, Strategic Studies and Disaster Management in the Department of Peace, Security and Society (DPSS) at the University of Zimbabwe. He holds a BA and MA in War and Strategic Studies, and is currently a PhD student in the DPSS, University of Zimbabwe. His research interests include disaster management, digital media, African politics, conflict resolution and nonviolence.

Admire Ndamba

Admire Ndamba is a Lecturer in the Department of Peace, Security and Society, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, University of Zimbabwe.