What is life like for Zimbabweans in South Africa?

South Africa hosts the largest Zimbabwean diaspora community — estimated at 1-3 million people. Zimbabweans work across all sectors: professionals (doctors, teachers, engineers), domestic workers, farm labourers, informal traders, and service industry. Johannesburg (particularly Hillbrow, Yeoville, and the CBD) has the largest concentration. Challenges are severe: xenophobic violence (attacks in 2008, 2015, 2019 targeted Zimbabweans and other foreigners), documentation difficulties (Zimbabwe Exemption Permit/ZEP controversy), exploitation by employers, police harassment, separation from families, and prejudice. Despite this, the Zimbabwean community has built churches, businesses, social networks, and contributes significantly to South Africa's economy while sending remittances home.