People of Zimbabwe - Tradition, Everyday Life and Hope in Southern Africa

The journeys between our stops were sometimes long and exhausting, but never dull. Along the way, we watched the landscapes change and had the chance to observe the people of the country. In the villages, simple clay huts stood side by side - some plain, others lovingly decorated. At the same time, the depth of poverty became visible, accompanied by a sense of hopelessness that left us humbled.

Again and again we came across groups gathered on Sundays under trees or along the roadside to pray or sing together. These scenes shaped the image of a deeply rooted religiosity that, for many, provides both strength and community.

What struck us most was the role of women and children in daily life. We saw mothers carrying their young children wrapped in cloth on their backs while at the same time shopping or carrying heavy loads. Children helped their parents in the fields or at home, often from a very young age. This natural sharing of responsibility showed how deeply family life is interwoven.

Equally typical were the bus stops along the main roads: entire families waiting in the shade with their luggage and food, ready to travel to the nearest town. These images spoke of a life shaped by movement, work, and improvisation - but also by a calmness that was palpable despite the hardships of everyday life.

It also became clear how closely human life runs alongside the wilderness - and how fragile this balance is. Population growth and climate change are pushing settlements ever deeper into the habitats of wild animals. Fields border directly on national parks, elephant herds regularly pass through villages, and conflicts arise when harvests are destroyed or people put at risk. What may seem idyllic at first glance - the coexistence of humans and wildlife - reveals, on closer look, the daily challenges of living in this fragile space.