In this video, Jethro reflects on his journey moving back to Zimbabwe from South Africa three years ago. He shares a candid update on the realities of the transition, including the personal tragedies he faced and the financial lessons he learned while trying to establish himself as a rural-based content creator.
Here are the high-level themes and a list of his advice:
High-Level Themes
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The “Gamble” of Returning: Jethro describes moving back as a risk that isn’t “rosy and cozy.” It requires stepping out of your comfort zone and working harder than before, rather than viewing it as a retirement plan.
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Personal Sacrifice: He opens up about the “dark secrets” of his move, specifically how the financial strain and transition contributed to the breakdown of his marriage just eight months after arriving.
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Financial Reality vs. Idealism: He contrasts the comfort of South Africa (internet, amenities) with the harsh economic environment of Zimbabwe, where systems like debt recovery are weak and “survival of the fittest” prevails.
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Rural Revitalization: Motivated by seeing his late father’s homestead in ruins, he focuses on reviving his rural roots and finding value in marginalized areas, rather than just competing in saturated urban markets.
List of Advice
Jethro provides specific, actionable advice for anyone considering the move, particularly emphasizing financial protection and mindset.
Financial & Career Strategy
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Secure a Source of Income First: You must have a clear, sustainable source of income or substantial savings before moving. Do not rely on hope.
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Keep Your Remote Job: He strongly advises keeping a remote job (e.g., in South Africa or abroad) to finance your life and projects in Zimbabwe. Local income sources can be unreliable initially.
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It is Not Retirement: Moving back does not mean resting. You are coming to work harder and must study how things are done locally to survive.
Business & Operations
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Avoid Saturated Markets: Do not just “join the bandwagon” of businesses others are already doing. You must solve a new problem or do an old business in a completely different way to succeed.
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Be Hands-On: Do not send money to middlemen or relatives to manage projects for you. You must be physically present to prevent money from getting lost or misused.
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Cash Upfront Only: When doing business, insist on cash upfront. He warns that the legal system makes it nearly impossible to recover debts if someone refuses to pay or claims poverty.
The “5 Things I’ve Learned” (Summary List)
Towards the end of the video, he explicitly lists five key lessons from his rural journey:
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Have a source of income.
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“Don’t go for commercial land”: He advises against this if you want to live in Zimbabwe (likely favoring residential or rural options for better value/lifestyle).
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Conduct Market Research: Thoroughly study the market before committing your savings to any project.
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Be Hands-On: Avoid middlemen; do the work yourself or supervise directly.
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Maintain Foreign Income: Keep your remote job to fund your local projects.
Final Warning: He cautions that if you are afraid of failure or the unknown, you should not come to Zimbabwe. He views losses as inevitable learning curves for those who are brave enough to make the move.
