PARTSON Chauke has been a teacher for 15 years, during which time he has seen his salary significantly eroded by the hyper-inflation that characterised the Zimbabwean economy.
PHILLIP CHIDAVAENZI SENIOR REPORTER
Although the introduction of the multiple currency regime in 2009 helped stem the hyper-inflationary tide, consequently bringing a semblance of stability in his finances, he has had to become increasingly innovative to keep his head above the water.
Although the $140 monthly incentives paid to him by the School Development Association at his school in Zengeza, Chitungwiza, has come in handy once added to his $400 salary, the cost of living – which includes rentals, foodstuff, school fees and clothing for his wife and two children – cannot be met by that amount.
Against this backdrop, Chauke has had to innovate and employ other means of augmenting his income.
“I am running a small-scale poultry project at my parents’ home and I also offer extra lessons to pupils during my own time,” the father of two said. The poultry project is so small that its proceeds can only stretch his income a little more, while the income he gets from the extra lessons is often seasonal.
“Most business, when it comes to extra lessons, is realised ahead of examinations so that applies only to exam classes, those sitting for their Ordinary and Advanced Level examinations,” he said.
“During these times, I can offer extra lessons to between 15 and 20 children, each paying between $15 and $30.”
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Ideally, Chauke said he would have preferred his pay cheque to be enough for his family, with additional money from other streams of income accruing as profit used for major projects such as acquiring a residential stand and building his own house.
This, however, has not been possible as every proceed from his poultry project has been used to augment his salary, which is not elastic enough to stretch from the beginning to the end of each month.
“Having to do other things, like the poultry project, means that my work as a teacher will suffer as I cannot give it all my attention,” he admitted. “But, like many other civil servants, I have no choice. I have a responsibility to meet my family’s basic needs.”
Chauke’s hopes are that the ongoing salary negotiations between government and the Apex Council will yield a positive result that would translate into a significant salary increment and, consequently, better his fortunes.
Despite his hopes, Chauke is very skeptical about the outcome. “I will probably continue with my side-projects because at the moment it doesn’t appear like the increment government will offer will be significant even after the talks.”
Although civil servants are demanding salaries that match the poverty datum line estimated at $540, analysts have argued that the national 2014 budget and the economic growth projections could not sustain anything beyond the modest 26% offered by the government.
