DOI: 10.36347/sjahss.2014.v02i02.030

Pages: 313-319

Using the case-studies of Gweru and Masvingo public urban taxis (kombis), supermarkets and vendors, this paper analyses some of the challenges related to small change that Zimbabweans faced during the period of the Government of National Unity (GNU) between 2009 and 2013. On the whole, we argue that notwithstanding the economic benefits that accrued from the GNU and or as a result of the GNU, the period was not without its challenges, especially at the micro-level. It is therefore the purpose of this article to explore some of these by focusing on the impact of the shortages of small change and/ or coins at the levels of the individuals and the household. The overall argument is that the shortages of coins and small change exacerbated the cost of living of the consumers as it increased the time wasted in finding and/ or waiting for the change, or buying other goods needed to round off the purchases to the nearest dollar bills. The challenges in turn also led to the emergence of survivalist strategies at both the individual and national levels.