Opinion: The Diaspora Doesn’t Owe Bulawayo Anything. But We Want To Help.

A particular tone has crept into some Bulawayo public conversations about the diaspora — equal parts welcome and reproach. “You have forgotten us. You owe us. Where is your money?” Let me say this gently. That tone does not work.

Most of us in the diaspora carry Bulawayo in our chests every day. We send money quietly. We bury parents from afar. We build houses we do not live in. We fund cousins through school in currencies we earn at 5am shifts.

We do not need reminders. We need partners. Tell us what is actually being built. Show us the bank statement. Let us see the timeline. We will move mountains.

The diaspora doesn’t owe Bulawayo anything. But almost all of us want to help. Just trust us first.