We Don’t Trust Your Money, Gutu Villagers Dismiss RBZ ZiG Campaign

Tinashe Sambiri– The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has taken its Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) awareness campaign to rural communities, but the initiative is facing sharp criticism from some villagers who say the outreach is little more than an attempt to push a currency they do not trust.

Officials recently visited communities in Gutu District to promote financial literacy and explain the use of the ZiG currency ahead of the introduction of new banknotes expected to enter circulation next month.

However, several villagers who spoke on condition of anonymity dismissed the campaign as propaganda.

“They came here to lecture us about ZiG as if we have forgotten what happened with previous currencies.Zimbabwe economic report

People have lost money many times before. We are not convinced,” one villager said.

Another resident said the meetings felt more like political messaging than genuine engagement with communities struggling economically.

“This is not awareness, it is pressure. They want everyone to pretend the currency is stable, yet prices in shops keep changing. They think we are foolish,” the villager said.

A third villager expressed doubts about the long-term stability of the Zimbabwe Gold currency, saying confidence cannot be created through campaigns.
“You cannot force people to trust a currency by holding meetings in villages.

Trust comes from experience, and right now many people still prefer the US dollar because it holds value,” the resident said.

Despite the criticism, some community members who attended the outreach programme welcomed the explanations provided by officials.

“We are grateful that the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has come to explain the ZiG currency and the new notes they are going to put in circulation to us here in the rural areas. Now we understand how it works and why it is important to support it in our daily transactions with villagers, including traditional leaders,” said Ms Jeniffer Chanyau.

Mr Benson Dandira also expressed support for the initiative.

“We are proud to have our own currency as Zimbabweans. The explanations we received today helped us understand the Zimbabwe Gold and why we must support it for the growth of our economy,” he said.


Ms Pettina Mabwe added that the introduction of new banknotes could improve transactions, particularly in rural areas.

“We are also happy to hear that new ZiG notes will be introduced. They are said to be more durable and secure, which will make it easier for people, especially in rural areas, to use the currency,” she said.

Deputy President of the Chiefs’ Council, Chief Fortune Charumbira said traditional leaders would help spread awareness about the currency in their communities.

“As traditional leaders, we are happy that the government is proving that it has its people at heart. We are having these campaigns up to village level, and from the explanations given, we are going to take these awareness campaigns further to our people,” he said.

Addressing the gathering, John Mushayavanhu, Governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, said the outreach programme is meant to improve understanding of the country’s monetary policy and strengthen confidence in the Zimbabwe Gold currency.

“As the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, our priority is to maintain a stable currency, achieve price stability and instil public confidence in our own currency, the Zimbabwe Gold.

The currency is backed by our gold reserves, which now stand at over four tonnes, together with other reserves.

With inflation now at a single digit and controlled money supply, we are confident about the stability of the ZiG, and we are now introducing more durable and secure notes to support transactions across the economy,” he said.

Meanwhile, Lovemore Matuke, the Minister of State for National Security, urged communities to support the country’s monetary reforms.

“We call upon all of us as Zimbabweans, including here in rural communities, to support the country’s monetary reforms. By embracing the Zimbabwe Gold currency and the new durable notes, we are contributing to economic stability and development.

Our collective effort will strengthen the nation’s economy and ensure a prosperous future for all,” he said.

The awareness campaign forms part of the central bank’s nationwide programme aimed at promoting financial literacy and building confidence in the Zimbabwe Gold currency ahead of the planned circulation of new ZiG banknotes on 7 April.
Source: Zim eye