The PASSOP research report on remittance flows from South Africa to Zimbabwe, ‘Strangling the Lifeline’, has made headlines since it was launched last week. The author of the report, our Programme Coordinator David von Burgsdorff, was interviewed on CNBC Africa’s Beyond Borders show on Wednesday evening – the full interview can be viewed here. The findings of the report were also featured in numerous other articles, ranging from Bloomberg News, The Business Day, UK-based SW-Radio Africa, to SABC.
We are happy that the findings have been widely disbursed and have raised awareness around this important issue. Indeed, remittances flows from South Africa to bordering countries is an area where there is huge potential for improvement in policy-making. The impact of more forward looking policies that leverage these remittance flows would surely be substantial for poverty alleviation and development in Zimbabwe and other neighbouring countries. We will keep pushing for the recommendations we have put forward to be translated into reality.