💭 Zimbabweans: Do We Really Value Our Own?💭

A Real Conversation About Trust, Value and Growth in the Zimbabwean Community

By Lloyd Munyaviri | L2M Coaching🌐 www.L2MCoaching.com

The Question That Sparked It All

In a conversation with fellow professionals and entrepreneurs, a statement came up that many found uncomfortable yet familiar:

“We Zimbabweans don’t like to pay for services especially when those services come from one of our own.”

It’s a sweeping generalisation, yes but is it reflective of a deeper sentiment? Why is it that when the service provider is one of us, hesitation or bargaining often follows? Is it because we don’t see the value? Or because we think we can get it for free?

And on the other side how many of us deliberately make an effort to uplift fellow Zimbabweans by giving them business, referrals and opportunities to grow?

These questions opened up a powerful discussion one that revealed not just opinions, but lived experiences, frustrations, and hope.

🟢 A Mixed Reality

The responses made one thing clear: this issue isn’t one-sided. It’s complex, emotional, and deeply rooted in our shared history and attitudes toward trust and value.

Some shared positive experiences of genuine support clients who pay fairly, refer others, and remain loyal. Others spoke of constant bargaining, unrealistic expectations, or clients who act entitled after paying very little. Equally, customers pointed out that some Zimbabwean service providers fail to deliver missing deadlines, being inconsistent, or overpromising and underdelivering. It’s a two-way challenge: trust and consistency must be rebuilt from both sides.

🟢 The Value and Trust Gap

Several people highlighted that the issue often starts with how we perceive value.When someone we know provides a service, there’s sometimes an expectation of discounts or favours as if friendship or shared identity should come with a financial shortcut. Others noted that in some cases, service providers themselves damage trust by failing to meet standards. One person shared how they had to redo work that a fellow Zimbabwean professional had dismissed as “impossible.” Another described lending money to a close contact who never repaid it not because they couldn’t, but because they didn’t feel obliged to. These examples, though painful, reveal an underlying challenge: many of us still mix relationship and responsibility in ways that can harm both.

🟢 Professionalism, Boundaries and Consistency

Many business owners agreed that rebuilding trust starts with consistency and professionalism. When service providers set clear prices, maintain standards, and follow through on their promises, respect naturally grows. As one participant put it, “If someone can’t afford your price, that’s okay don’t lower your standards. Keep your value consistent regardless of who’s asking.” At the same time, others acknowledged that customers need to understand that good service costs money, and that gratitude should go both ways not just upward.

🟢 The Gendered Experience

Women in business offered particularly insightful reflections. One described receiving genuine support from some within the community, but also encountering others who constantly criticised, demanded discounts, or tried to undercut her work.

She shared that separating from those who drain energy or exploit goodwill made a huge difference allowing her to build a healthier circle of supportive, like-minded clients.

Interestingly, she also observed that some subgroups within the community, particularly women who intentionally collaborate, are creating models of consistent referral and mutual growth that others can learn from.

🟢 Culture, Conditioning, and Competition

A deeper thread in the discussion was how our upbringing and education shaped our approach to success.Many reflected that Zimbabweans are often taught to compete, not collaborate to strive for individual recognition rather than collective growth.

This mindset can lead to isolation in business and missed opportunities for partnership. Other communities, such as Indian or Chinese business networks, were cited as examples of how money can circulate several times within a group before leaving it.

In contrast, many Zimbabweans tend to seek external validation assuming that “outside” services are more trustworthy than local ones, even when the talent and skill are right next to us.

🟢 Hope and Shifting Mindsets

Despite the frustrations, most people agreed that things are changing.There’s growing professionalism, higher accountability, and more people intentionally choosing to support each other’s ventures. Small steps such as referring one another, paying fairly, giving constructive feedback, and keeping promises are rebuilding the trust that was once lost.

As one respondent noted, “When we remove ourselves from negativity and focus on value, respect, and reciprocity, it becomes a beautiful thing.”

💬 Final Reflection

The overall sentiment?👉🏾 Yes and No.

Yes, hesitation and mistrust exist. But no, it doesn’t define who we are not anymore.

Our community is growing, learning, and slowly redefining what it means to do business “with our own.” When we choose professionalism over shortcuts, respect over exploitation, and value over discounts, we begin to transform not just our businesses but our identity as a people. Because real progress starts the moment we decide to see each other’s worth clearly. 🌱

By Lloyd MunyaviriLeadership & Personal Development Coach | Founder, L2M Coaching🌐 www.L2MCoaching.com📍 Empowering individuals, leaders, and communities to grow with purpose and integrity.