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Unemployment, hustling, and waithood: exploring Zimbabwean urban male youth’s utilisation of ICT in soccer betting

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  • Martin Magidi

    (University of Cape Town)

  • Tavengwa Gwekwerere

    (Cal State LA)

Abstract

This article explores how urban male youth in Zimbabwe have created economies of hustle and waithood through soccer betting to ensure alternative means of survival in a country facing rapid urban growth and endless economic challenges. Data were collected using a combination of ethnographic methods, including participant and non-participant observations, betting experimentation, and informal conversations. The findings show that urban male youth in Zimbabwean cities use a variety of skills in soccer betting to increase their chances of winning and earning a living through informal economic activities while waiting for employment opportunities. The findings also demonstrate the intellectual genius and streetwise resourcefulness of young people, as they incorporate research, digital, and networking competencies to decide and place their bets. The article concludes that soccer betting is not only part of Zimbabwe’s economies of hustle, leisure, and waithood but also central in influencing the adoption of ICT products and digital skills among male youths in Zimbabwe.

Suggested Citation

  • Martin Magidi & Tavengwa Gwekwerere, 2024. "Unemployment, hustling, and waithood: exploring Zimbabwean urban male youth’s utilisation of ICT in soccer betting," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:palcom:v:11:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1057_s41599-024-03230-y
    DOI: 10.1057/s41599-024-03230-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Per Binde, 2005. "Gambling Across Cultures: Mapping Worldwide Occurrence and Learning from Ethnographic Comparison," International Gambling Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 5(1), pages 1-27, June.
    2. Michael Takudzwa Pasara & Rufaro Garidzirai, 2020. "The Boomerang Effects: An Analysis of the Pre and Post Dollarisation Era in Zimbabwe," Economies, MDPI, vol. 8(2), pages 1-20, April.
    3. Martin Magidi, 2022. "The role of the informal economy in promoting urban sustainability: Evidence from a small Zimbabwean town," Development Southern Africa, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 39(2), pages 209-223, March.
    4. Martin Magidi & Innocent T. Mahiya, 2021. "Rethinking training: the role of the informal sector in skills acquisition and development in Zimbabwe," Development Southern Africa, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 38(4), pages 509-523, July.
    5. Esinath Ndiweni & Helen Verhoeven, 2013. "The rise of informal entrepreneurs in Zimbabwe: evidence of economic growth or failure of economic policies?," African Journal of Accounting, Auditing and Finance, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 2(3), pages 260-276.
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