After spending 61 years in South Africa, 81-year-old Philip Moyo has returned home to Tsholotsho.

He says he cannot remember much about his life away from home, except that Bulawayo used to have more white people than now.

However, his relatives have shown no interest in accepting him, and he will be taken to an old people’s home as he is physically unwell and malnourished.  Moyo left Zimbabwe before the Rhodesian Front’s unilateral declaration of independence.

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Despite having a family in South Africa, including four children, he has not been able to reconnect with any relatives. Moyo has spent five weeks in Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo and is now awaiting discharge to the old people’s home.

Alleged daughter disappears

Despite a visit from a woman claiming to be his daughter, Moyo’s relatives have not come forward, and his daughter has disappeared. The hospital is working with social workers to find an old people’s home for Moyo, stating that they have received promises for his placement. His civic leaders have also tried to reach out to his family, but the attempts have been unsuccessful.

Lessons to emigrants

Moyo’s situation highlights the importance of emigrants keeping in touch with their relatives back home in case they are forced to leave their adopted country. Millions of Zimbabweans have migrated to South Africa, with some settling there permanently, but it is essential to maintain ties with one’s family and community for support in times of need.