Tsitsi Masiyiwa, wife of Econet Wireless founder Strive Masiyiwa came under fire on social media after she posted a tweet in which she implied that Zimbabweans were lazy and did not work enough hours. Tsitsi Masiyiwa had tweeted,
Wondering how a nation with GDP per capita of $1 000 for over 37 yrs life expectancy 34yrs upto 31% children stunted, can insist on the right to work 8hrs plus 1 hr lunch 5 days a week, rest for 2 days watch football for 42 wks straight. Where is the sense of urgency desperation?
However, after receiving at least 660 Tweets, Tsitsi came back to Twitter and apologised for her earlier message. In her apology she said,
Friends who responded to my tweet. I passionately love Zimbabwe love to express, debate & brutally confront the challenges that hold us back. To those who are angry and livid feeling offended, I apologise wholeheartedly.
Dialogue is critical to get us moving forward & it gives us a platform to seek solutions. It’s part of the way we fix ourselves and each other. Let’s share solutions as we face hard truths. My work in the community expresses my passion.
Here is how some Zimbabweans had reacted to the initial tweet:
Will Tsitsi Masiyiwa delete that insensitive tweet? Or she will insist she is right. Hope the tweet won't have a dheripitating effect on the extortionist Red & Blue network
— Tich Ray (@TichRay) April 15, 2018
@matigary @lashiasn @Mavhure @Auzqn @misscailah
I think @T_Masiyiwa is right, the work ethic in most companies in Harare (where i have experience) is pathetic. This was one of my experiences at Econet First Street last month👇 pic.twitter.com/K1hXa3Mna1
— Larry Moyo (@larry_moyo) April 16, 2018
https://twitter.com/matigary/status/985733763370975232
Truth Hurts.
Tsitsi Masiyiwa is right.
Zimbabweans are a lazy bunch of people who like watching football & blaming others for their own mistakes.
Noone will come and solve your problems.
Vuka uzenzele.
— Ngoma Kurira (@Ngoma_Kurira_) April 16, 2018
We are not surprised by your reasoning. That is why the companies owned by your husband @StriveMasiyiwa such as @stewardbank are employing workers as volunteers. Instead of paying them the minimum salaries around $800 they are paid $300 as stipend.
— ZCTU – Zimbabwe (@ZctuZimbabwe) April 15, 2018
But @T_Masiyiwa is complaining about watching a game of footy. I wonder what opinion she has of us who watch a full 5 days of test match cricket pic.twitter.com/Ie7aXAo8f2
— Slimsem 👨🏿🏫 (@SlimSEM_) April 15, 2018
https://twitter.com/Bryanmartin2020/status/985484245236928512
https://twitter.com/matigary/status/985737962095771648
https://twitter.com/_hariett/status/985806990436954113
https://twitter.com/tillly_/status/985803143626838016
Unfortunately, @econetzimbabwe is one of the worst employers. Under paid and over worked people are not productive. There is also a lot bullying within the company something that needs to be addressed urgently. People work hard but the bosses take all the money. https://t.co/sLef0fs54X
— Chipo Dendere (@drDendere) April 15, 2018
Fellow Zimbabweans let's face some hard facts. @T_Masiyiwa made an error of judgement with her tweet. She meant no malice. Her words were not carefully chosen and are regrettable. But she is a very humble person. Let's forgive her I beg.
— Thabisa Sibanda (@SibandaSibbs) April 16, 2018
The 'Zimbabwe is open for business' mantra is making the filthy rich capitalists like Tsitsi Masiyiwa more bolder in their anti-labour and anti-social rights sentiments. That's a slave driver mentality.
— Lenin Chisaira (@LeninChisaira) April 15, 2018
The 80% to 90% that has employed themselves in the streets of our CBD work from dawn till midnight. The streets of Harare tell a story. But you wouldnt know because you are not part of us.
— Campos (@MunasheTofa) April 15, 2018
We are 15 days to May Day. That tweet attacking the right to an 8 hour working day and the right to a lunch break is very clear. The motive is also obvious.Anyone who values this day understands that nothing is closer to misdirected anger.
— ZCTU – Zimbabwe (@ZctuZimbabwe) April 15, 2018
She is 100% correct. In countries like USA, UK and India to name a few, most businesses do not close at 5 pm. they extend hours to allow for those who could not afford to shop during the day because of work and other commitments. The do shifts and businesses remain operational 24/7 .So apart from the tone used, she has a point in that we cannot afford as a country to work 8- 5 pm
Anonymous you imply US and UK have got it right. Why? Why is 8 hours work wrong?
I gather you are in the UK or such other Western countries. May you be humble enough to know that you went there because there’s no economy in Zimbabwe for us to work like donkeys without rest. I never expected such opinion from Mrs. Masiiwa to get support from level headed people. We expect such mockery from the Wicknells of Zimbabwe who are paid moneys stolen from the masses to do nothing but erect majarata (tin houses)
Stupid guy, opening hours are determined by level of business. No street lights, no reliable transportation why would you open up to 10pm
true that Tsitsi Masiiwa is correct most of us zimboz are fucken lazy basa ibhora n women n dhoro apo u working 8hrs a day for 4OOBUCKS APER MONTH
Not true my dear because Zimbabweans are considered one of the most hard working groups.You will seldom find unemployed zimbabweans in other countries. e.g S.A botswana america uk….however the political social and economical condition in zimbabwe is not motivating at all.
Mrs Masiyiwa i agree with you, we are lazy, there are good examples that will strenghthen your statement today. Zimbabwe is in ruins today , i mean our buildings . We failed to grow food for ourselves with everything at our disposal. We now want white people to come and supervise us be our bosses once again. So if that is not laziness what do you call that. The education we have makes the best people to argue a debate but with very little if any on the ground. We are lazy and at most book worms, with the education people of Zimbabwe have ,we should be a lot better.We have lots of theories with no practical lessons. We are lazy. We are among the biggest loud talkers . I support.and i am sure the great Mr M asiyiwa agrees but as a gentleman he allowed you to put it across. The land that is laying not being used in a sign that Zimbabweans are very lazy. Now the goverment is even asking the so called oppressors back. We have failed lets admit.
We failed to grow
food for ourselves with
everything at our disposal.
Really! ? @Max who are you referencing to as we? I think you are Zanu and have benefited from the status quo.
You give someone without capital, knowledge &/or experience in agricultural production, farms and expect phantom tonnes of agric produce?
Your stupidity is of monumental proportions!
Your assertion is utterly rubbish you inconsiderate insensitive buffoon.
I remember Strive Masiyiwa buying Old Mutual shares, sold them outside the country illegally, breaching our exchange control rules. He never came back to Zim in fear of being arrested, before the amnesty during the old dispensation. It is disgusting to hear how such a rich family insults Zimbabweans today after benefiting from illegal business fingers.
Tsitsi, despite a few figure errors, you are correct in terms of how you relate your arguement. However, factually, a country does not prosper out of sweat. It prospers out of intelligence of the people and how they go around solving their problems. Its true, you would twitter to air your point of view, which you must regret coz the level of intelligence on a public media varies. However, try and have people who are level headed and who are pationate about solving Zimbabwean problems, they may come up with a myriad of solutions. The biggest of the problem being our moral fibre which was corroded by various life factors. Morality justifies lots of wrongs and up until we change our mind set (moral fibre) we keep on endorsing coups as necessary and justifiable, whereas, the instigator does not even want to to view it as such. Code naming illegal operations is not far from baptising beer and call it Mazoe drink. We have gone such far and we are still going!
tsitsi you are seeking attention in a wrong way. undo your frail hairstyle first then you will get the much attention you need
Tsitsi ziva zvokudya mari yemurume wako yausina kushandira wakanyarara
strive and family have always been insensitive towards our people(Zimbabwean) we supported their business after they had externalized funds . And we have people who are selling airtime for almost no profit just to feed their families and when all that is said and done your wife the energy to call zimbabweans lazy , sis man. And what about you paying people as real bank staff and leave out the vendor jargon to show you are an honest man as you claim. pay people what they are worth stop exploiting the poor. Strive if reading the whole bible has not made you sensitive towards other people then satanism is real. Stop it right there, trying to make people slaves only to build your empire. And again you stop that bullying and threatening people with i know their boss thing, if they get fired you are in deep mess.
tsitsi masiiwa do not forsake us zimbabwean wi are happy as we are..u donot live the way you thts why u are insensitive…and hve got no solution..at times to keep quiet.it helps…especialy on women who ride on their husbands’ sucesss and do not know how thing came about in their life..be a good and quiet mother..we will be grateful…n not blowing a trumpet on pipo who u cannot help…if u live my life u will my life u will die…Masterd degree does not work..hakusi kuda kwedu…asi if u countinue mocking us shamhu yakakurova…u can be like us…..its not all that ur husband does is clean…all the contracts…the shares he grabs..whlist his patners are left crying wi know them…greediness..mockery..infurirates hate..revenge and ungodliness.kura mwachewe..not to open a can of shinenigans zvaurikuiita…close tht twitter account..not to plot the downfall of ur husband wi do respect you..n u cannot help everyone here ..the few u hve wi do appreaciate but donot run our lives
Tsitsi is right of those 8 hours, 2hours are spent on social media, we need to do something especially on our attitude towards work. Go to passport office queues are endless.