Why it is hard, even with a million of us
South Africa's 2022 census counted 1,012,059 Zimbabweans, close to half of all the immigrants in the country. You would think that finding a partner from home would be easy. Often it is not.
- Work comes first. Long hours and long commutes leave little time to meet anyone new.
- The cities are big. Johannesburg and Pretoria sprawl, and someone across town can feel as far away as another city.
- Trust takes time. People are careful about who they let in, with good reason.
- Life is split in two. Many people have a partner, children or parents in Zimbabwe, and plans that depend on documents and money.
Where Zimbabweans meet in South Africa
Church is the first place for many people. After that come work, friends from the same home area, burial societies and savings clubs, WhatsApp groups, and the trip home in December.
Language helps too. isiNdebele is close to isiZulu, so Ndebele speakers settle in quickly. Shona speakers often look for a partner who shares the language.
A dating app made for Zimbabweans lets you look beyond the people you already know, and meet people who have already said what they are looking for.
Relationships across the border
- The clock is the same. Zimbabwe and South Africa share a time zone, so staying in touch is easy.
- Agree a plan. Who will move, and when? Will you settle in South Africa or go home?
- Check documents at the source. Permit rules change. Rely on the Department of Home Affairs and not on forwarded messages.
- Be careful with money. Supporting family is part of life. Sending money to someone you have only met online is different, and you should not do it.
Family, lobola and totems
If you want to marry, the two families will expect to meet, and lobola is usually held at home in Zimbabwe. Many couples plan it around a trip home, often in December. If you cannot travel, your go-between can attend for you.
Ask about totems early as well. It is a normal question, and it is much harder to hear the answer after a year together.
Read how lobola works and totems and dating.
Staying safe
- Meet in a public place the first time, in daylight if you can.
- Tell a friend who you are meeting, where, and when you expect to be home.
- Get there and back on your own, so you can leave when you want to.
- Never send money, airtime or account details to someone you have not met.
- Prefer verified profiles, and be careful with anyone who avoids a quick video call.
A busy shopping centre is a good place for a first meeting.
Using Murudo in South Africa
Murudo is the best dating app in Zimbabwe for people who want a real relationship, and it is made for Zimbabweans in the diaspora as well as at home.
- It works on any phone. Get it on Google Play, or on an iPhone open murudo.co in Safari and add Murudo to your Home Screen.
- You can pay by card. Murudo Web takes card payments. Joining, matching and messaging are free.
- People say what they want. Profiles show what each person is looking for, from dating to marry to being ready to introduce families.
- Members are verified. People verify with a selfie, and verified profiles carry a badge.
- You can show where you come from. Answer prompts such as "Diaspora to Zim: what I miss most", "My totem is…" and "My home village/town".
Read what makes Murudo the best dating app in Zimbabwe.
Common questions
How many Zimbabweans live in South Africa?
South Africa's 2022 census counted 1,012,059 Zimbabweans, about 45 percent of all immigrants in the country.
How do I meet Zimbabwean singles in Johannesburg?
Church, work, friends from your home area and WhatsApp groups are the usual places. To look beyond people you already know, use a dating app made for Zimbabweans, such as Murudo.
Can I use Murudo in South Africa?
Yes. Murudo is for Zimbabweans at home and across the diaspora. Get it on Google Play, use it in your browser, or add it to your iPhone Home Screen, and pay by card on Murudo Web if you choose a paid pass.
Is Zimbabwe in the same time zone as South Africa?
Yes. Both countries are two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time all year.