Dear Fellow Zimbabwean,
No matter how strong or ambitious you are today, the truth remains—you will not be young forever. The hands that are strong enough to hustle today will one day tremble with age. The mind that is sharp enough to run a business today will one day slow down.
And one day, the people you provide for—the children, the spouse, the relatives who depend on you—will wake up to a world without you.
That is not being negative. It is being wise. Old age is unavoidable, and death is inevitable. The real question is: when that day comes, will your family have something to fall back on?
Prepare While You Still Can
Every day you work, earn, and spend is not just about surviving the present—it is also about securing the future. Those who understand the laws of wealth know that true prosperity is not measured by what you earn today, but by what will continue earning for you when you are no longer able to work.
Right now, while you are strong and productive, is the time to prepare for the days when you will not be. The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The second best time is today.
Do not wait until your hair is grey or your energy is gone to think about retirement. By then, it will be too late to build what you could have built with patience and consistency.
The Purpose of Planning Ahead
Planning for the future is not about fear—it is about love. Love for your family. Love for your dignity. Love for the life you have worked so hard to build.
When you have no plan, life decides for you—and life can be cruel. But when you prepare, you give your family stability, peace, and respect even after you are gone.
The person who understands money does not live only for today. He builds systems that will continue providing income even when he no longer can.
How to Secure a Future Income
There are many practical ways to prepare for tomorrow. Some are simple; others require more effort—but all are within your reach if you start early.
1. Property Investments
Owning land or houses is one of the most reliable ways to secure long-term wealth. A house you build today can feed your family tomorrow through rent or resale. When wisely chosen, property appreciates in value and provides stability for generations.
2. Savings and Long-Term Accounts
Open a savings or fixed deposit account with a reputable bank. Commit to saving something monthly, no matter how small. Savings teach discipline and create a safety net when times are hard.
3. Pension and Retirement Plans
If you are formally employed, take your pension seriously. If you are self-employed, speak to financial advisors about private retirement plans. Pension money may not make you rich, but it can keep you dignified in old age.
4. Life and Funeral Assurance
Every Zimbabwean should have at least a funeral policy—with companies like Nyaradzo, Old Mutual or Doves. Do not leave your family scrambling for money when you are gone. A life insurance policy ensures that your dependents receive financial support when you pass away. It is one of the last acts of love you can show them.
5. Education Plans for Children
Do not just say, “I will educate my children.” Make a written plan. Talk to institutions like Old Mutual, Fidelity or First Mutual Life. They have education policies that guarantee your child’s schooling even if you die or lose your income.
6. Businesses That Outlive You
Build something that can survive without you. A business that your spouse or children can continue running. A venture that continues to produce income long after your hands stop working. That is how legacies are built.
7. Stock Market Investments
The stock market is one of the smartest ways to make your money work for you. By investing in companies listed on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) or Victoria Falls Stock Exchange (VFEX), you become part of real businesses creating value every day. Even small, consistent investments can grow over time through dividends and share appreciation. Begin today, learn as you go, and let your money grow alongside the nation’s economy.
8. Diversified Investments
Do not put all your eggs in one basket. Business can fail. Jobs can disappear overnight. Make sure part of your money is working elsewhere—whether in real estate, farming, shares, or unit trusts. The goal is to have multiple streams of income so that if one dries up, others continue flowing.
The Uncomfortable Truth
We have seen this too many times. Someone once had everything—good job, car, nice house, money flowing like water. But years later, that same person is struggling, borrowing, or depending on relatives for food.
When people talk about them, they say, “akamboita mari iyeye”, meaning “he once had money”.
That phrase should haunt every working person. Because it means opportunities were wasted.
They lived for today and forgot tomorrow. They spent on clothes, alcohol, and luxuries but never built anything that could stand the test of time.
Do not be that person. If you are earning money today, even if it is little, plan for the future now.
Life Changes Fast
Circumstances can shift overnight. A company can close. You can be retrenched. You can fall sick or have an accident that makes you unable to work.
What will happen if your salary stops today? Will your children still go to school? Will your spouse still have shelter? Will your family still have food on the table?
If the answer is “no,” then your focus must change— from consuming to preparing.
Do Not Leave Your Family with Nothing
Zimbos, let us learn from others. When you die without planning, your family does not only lose you—they lose everything you ever worked for.
Do not let your wife or children become beggars in the streets or start over from zero. Leave them something. Leave them a house, a policy, a business, or at least a savings account.
That is true wealth—to build something that outlives you.
Final Thoughts
Old age and death are part of life. They are not tragedies when you prepare for them. The real tragedy is when a hardworking person fails to plan, leaving their family exposed to poverty after they are gone.
Use your strength now to build safety for your later years. Do not wait until it is too late. Protect your future, protect your family, and protect your dignity.
Every dollar saved today is a blessing to your tomorrow.
With wisdom for your long-term peace,
ZimLedger Admin
ZimLedger
ZimLedger is the all in one business and finance platform for Zimbabwe. It generates quotes, invoices, payslips and financial statements, manages business ledgers, tracks income and expenses, and builds shopping lists. ZimLedger offers a simple yet powerful solution tailored to local needs. Whether you are budgeting in ZiG or USD, managing business accounts, converting Ecocash statements, or tracking household expenses, ZimLedger empowers you to stay organised, make informed financial decisions, and grow your wealth—right from your phone or computer.
