Africa
‘He doesn’t send us money’ -Zimbabwean family celebrates UFC fighter’s defeat

Themba Gorimbo, a Zimbabwean mixed martial artist competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), has opened up about a heartbreaking experience involving his own family members.
Despite his success in the sport, Gorimbo revealed that some of his cousins celebrated his defeat in a fight, simply because he doesn’t send them money.
“I’m not a millionaire—maybe I will be one day. After one of my losses, a cousin messaged me. He sent a video of some of my family celebrating my defeat in the same place we struggled together 15 years ago.”
Gorimbo expressed his frustration with people who assume he is wealthy because of his career.
He stated, “All I try to do is get better—not just for myself, but for everyone. I might not be able to help you directly, but I can build a well for the community.”

Gorimbo (right) in action in a UFC match
He also shared his disappointment with relatives who ask him for large sums of money.
Gorimbo said, “People think because I’m in the US, I’m a millionaire. Someone will message me saying, ‘Send me $5,000.’ Where would I get that kind of money?”
Diaspora remittances to Africa
Sending money to relatives in Africa can be a complex and sensitive topic.
In many African cultures, family ties are strong, and relatives often expect financial support from those living abroad.
Remittances to Africa have been steadily increasing, with a record $90.2 billion sent to the continent in 2023, accounting for 5.2% of Africa’s total GDP.
This is approximately twice the level of overseas development assistance.
The top remittance-receiving countries in Africa are Egypt, Nigeria, and Morocco, which together accounted for 65% of total remittances flowing into Africa in 2022.
In terms of growth rate, remittance inflows to Sub-Saharan Africa grew by 1.9% in 2023, with countries like Kenya receiving over $4 billion in remittances.
However, the cost of sending remittances to Africa remains high, with an average cost of 8.4% to send $200 in the first quarter of 2024.
This is significantly higher than the global average and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of reducing remittance costs to less than 3% by 2030.
About Themba Gorimbo
Themba Gorimbo’s life story is one of resilience and determination.
Born in Bikita, Zimbabwe, he faced immense hardships from a young age, including losing both parents at 12 and 13 years old.
To survive, he dropped out of school at 16 and worked in blood diamond mines, where he was even bitten by German Shepherd dogs after being caught digging for diamonds illegally.
Gorimbo’s journey to becoming a UFC fighter is nothing short of remarkable.
He discovered mixed martial arts in South Africa and eventually made his way to the United States to pursue his dream.
Despite facing numerous challenges, including living on a gym couch and having only $7 in his bank account, Gorimbo persevered and has since achieved a 14-5 record in the UFC.
One of the most inspiring aspects of Gorimbo’s story is his commitment to giving back to his community.
He has started a project to drill boreholes in his hometown, providing clean water to those in need.
Additionally, he plans to build a solar-powered library in his village, giving children access to education and opportunities for a better life.
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