At least 13,000 Zimbabwean students are currently enrolled in universities across Poland, Sheila Chikomo, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, told Parliament recently.
Chikomo was responding to a question from Emakhandeni-Luveve MP Descent Bajila in the National Assembly. Bajila had inquired about the accreditation of the universities attended by these students.
Chikomo said Zimbabwean students were drawn to Poland by the affordable tuition fees and the potential for further migration to other attractive destinations within Europe. Said Chikomo:
<blockquote>
The report of significant population of Zimbabweans residing in Poland comprises not only students but also truck drivers who have been attracted to Poland for various opportunities and disperse throughout Poland. Poland serves as a gateway to Europe and the United Kingdom.
In terms of figures, current estimates are that they are around 13,000 Zimbabwean students in Poland.
</blockquote>
Chikomo explained that it is difficult to determine the exact number of Zimbabwean students in Poland, as some have made private arrangements to study there and have not contacted the Zimbabwean Embassy in Germany. She said:
<blockquote>
This has made it difficult for our actual figure of Zimbabweans living in Poland. So far, the exercise to ascertain the number has not yielded any desired results.
This will then mean that it requires that for the whole Embassy to accurately determine the number of Zimbabweans in Poland they should travel for some days to conduct a comprehensive study in that country.
</blockquote>
She further said one of the key factors attracting many foreigners, including Zimbabweans, to Poland is the relatively low university fees, which are approximately $3,500 per year. Said Chikomo:
<blockquote>
Zimbabwean students in Poland are registered with the Policy Ministry of Science Higher Tertiary Education and enrolled in different universities with Vincent Pol University (VPU) in Lublin being one of the most prominent options.
VPU is officially registered with the Policy Ministry of Science Higher Tertiary Education, allowing it to recognise Bachelors and Masters degrees.
Notably, VPU has recently seen about 300 Zimbabwean students graduate in the last year.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/13000-zimbabwean-students-studying-in-poland-says-minister/">ZimLive</a>

Pindula News

At least 13,000 students from Zimbabwe are studying in universities in Poland. They are attracted by affordable tuition fees and the opportunity to move to other parts of Europe. It is hard to know the exact number because some students make private arrangements. The Vincent Pol University in Lublin is a popular choice for Zimbabwean students. The university is approved by the Ministry of Science, allowing students to earn degrees. About 300 Zimbabwean students graduated from the university last year. Overall, Zimbabweans are finding opportunities and education in Poland, making it a popular destination for them.

"13,000 Zimbabwean Students Currently Studying In Polish Universities"

Zimbabwean truck drivers who are facing xenophobia in South Africa are migrating to Poland where the entry-level salary is said to be about US$1 800 a month.
The head of the Zimbabwe Truckers Association of South Africa, Wellington Manyonda, was reported as saying Zimbabwean truckers feel they are not welcome in the neighbouring country.
About three hundred (300) Zimbabwean truck drivers have moved to Poland where the entry-level wage is about US$1 800. Said Manyonda (<a href="https://www.thesouthafrican.com/news/zim-truck-drivers-facing-xenophobia-in-sa-are-moving-abroad/">via The South African</a>):
<blockquote>
It’s become clear to many Zimbabwean truckers operating in SA that they are not welcome here, and I am aware of about 300 of them who have moved to Poland where they are welcomed.
They can earn good money in Poland, where the entry-level wage is about $1 800 [R34 000 a month].
</blockquote>
A truck driver who spoke to The South African shared his experience with license renewal, saying that the traffic department could not help him. He said:
<blockquote>
I have a ZEP permit [Zimbabwe Exemption Permit], and by that token, they just told me to forget that I would be able to renew the licence anywhere in South Africa.
</blockquote>
On 01 December 2023, the South African Government, through its Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi announced the extension of ZEP by another two years to 29 November 2025.
Manyonda also raised concerns about the potential linkage of Traffic Register Numbers (TRN) licenses to the ZEP expiry date.
He said this results in the exclusion of many Zimbabwean truck drivers from the system and hinders their ability to earn a living in South Africa. Added Manyonda:
<blockquote>
It’s clear this has to do with the upcoming elections in SA and the ruling party wants to win votes by scapegoating Zimbabweans, who are being falsely blamed for much that is wrong in SA, such as crime and unemployment.
It’s a sad commentary on the state of the country that we have to fight so many legal battles to protect the rights of Zimbabweans here, but we have no choice.
</blockquote>
Advocate Simba Chitando has expressed concern over the denial of license renewals, saying:
<blockquote>
It’s completely illegal and unconstitutional to deny Zimbabweans lawfully in SA to renew their driver’s licences, and we must now again go to court to force the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) to comply with the law and stop making up the law on the fly.
</blockquote>
According to the Zimbabwe Truckers Association of SA, more than 400 truckers have been killed by local vigilantes since 2019.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimbabwean Truckers Facing Xenophobia In SA Are Moving To Poland

A Zimbabwean student who is pursuing medical studies at Vincent Pol University in Poland has launched a shoe-cleaning company in the east European country.
Nqobani Sibanda (22), launched the “Shoe Laundry by Que” on 6 January this year in Lublin, Poland with the aim of providing a shoe cleaning and customising service.
The launch was facilitated by an African-run business initiative called the Entrepreneurs Networking Forum, an organisation founded by Poland-based Zimbabwean poet, author and publisher, Mthulisi Ndlovu.
The Entrepreneurs Networking Forum says its focus is to empower international citizens in the diaspora and enhance entrepreneurial collaborations.
Sibanda said <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/bulawayo-youth-launches-shoe-cleaning-company-in-poland/">told the Chronicle</a> that the launch was made possible through long-term investments and perseverance. He said:
<blockquote>
I have been saving for this business for the past two or so years and finally reached the target of my capital investment.
I actually started saving up a bit before I even settled in Europe and the success of everything is also owed to the support that I got from close friends and family who chose to invest in my vision.
We are four guys and we clean all types of shoes from formal to casual sneakers. Honestly, we were not prepared for such a response from so many clients.
So far, we have received positive feedback and ratings, a clear sign that people appreciate our services.
My friends and relatives have been forthcoming and we have received so much support from Vincent Pol University, which also endorsed our brand, therefore enhancing confidence and broadening the sphere of potential clientele.
… In shoe customisation, we do specific desired paintings on shoes or change shoe colours.
This enhances cultural exchange and fosters diversity, tolerance, and general exhibition of the richness of our creative African history.
There is so much power in this form of storytelling as we incorporate it with fashion designs.
</blockquote>
Sibanda said on average, they clean 30 pairs per week.
Sibanda did his education at Inkanyezi Primary School in Lobengula suburb, Inyathi High and Tennyson Hlabangana High School.
He said he was raised by a single parent and routinely sold food items on the streets with his brother.

Zimbabwean Medical Student Launches Shoe Cleaning Company In Poland

The Government has advised students who managed to leave Ukraine in the past few days to get in touch with an official who has been sent to Poland to deal with their plight.
The number of Zimbabwean students who left Ukraine for Poland and other European countries is not known but last week the Government said it had registered 256 Zimbabwean nationals who were stranded in the besieged country.
In a <a href="https://twitter.com/MoFA_ZW/status/1497843232880959491">statement posted on Twitter</a> this Sunday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade pledged to assist Zimbabwean students to travel back home.
However, the Government did not name the official or how the students will be able to get in touch with him. The statement read:
<blockquote>
The Government wishes to inform all students who have left Ukraine to urgently get in touch with the government official in Poland.
The government has already dispatched an official to Poland to organise their stay in Poland and buy their tickets to Zimbabwe.
All those who are stranded and wish to travel to Zimbabwe will be assisted.
</blockquote>
Russia invaded Ukraine on Thursday leading to a halt of flights in and out of Ukraine making it difficult for foreign nationals to leave the country.
Russian president, Vladimir Putin, has attempted to justify the attack on Ukraine by claiming that the country is led by neo-Nazi forces who are threatening his country’s security.
<h4>More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h4>

Poland Latest News

Latest Jobs