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Lovemore Meya Lifestyle Writer
Finding the right partner seems to be a challenge for most animals. Male peacocks have elaborate costumes and some male apes have colourful behinds while bulls of most species settle the fight to procreate through their own versions of pugilistic contests. 

But it appears that it is only the human species in which both males and females must actively hunt for and entice a mate or face a lonely life. And as with everything else in this age, the Internet has become the place to find whatever you are looking for.

In the past, marriages were between people from the same neighbourhood who had fallen in love or else at the behest of some family arrangement. Then urbanisation came in and new platforms had to be found. So social gatherings, educational institutions, shopping centres and churches became the places to find “Mr or Miss Right”.

Then someone had a light bulb moment and realised that money could be made out of matchmaking services and dating agencies were born.
Although those now traditional avenues are still open, the net has become the biggest hunting ground for those who cannot snare a mate among acquaintances.

So popular is the internet that online social networks like Zorpia, Wayne, Twoo, Cheaters Dating Zim have thousands of subscribers. Newspapers that offer the service are also oversubscribed.

Zimpapers publications “Kwayedza,” and “B-Metro,” have helped many people find life partners.
“I think the attraction of this kind of matchmaking is that a person is able to outline the exact characteristics that they are looking for. They also come out to state perceived handicaps like being HIV positive right at the beginning. So the relationship starts on an open basis and everyone knows exactly what they are getting,” said a source at Kwayedza.

A dating agent who spoke on condition of anonymity said it is undisputable that their once vibrant industry is moribund. “There are so many factors that have rendered us impotent including the introduction of the Internet and the dollarisation. We used to enjoy brisk business.”

She said that it is possible that the balances and checks provided by the agencies have discouraged many people who are out to play tricks on desperados.

“With us it is good that we link people who are seriously looking for a partner unlike the Internet which offers room for cheating.”
She admitted that another possible reason could be that online sites are mostly free whereas agencies always charge and demand more from people who are considered “difficult” to match.

In this category are women above the age of 35, especially if they have children. Men with low incomes and many dependants also fall into this group.

Love seems to be eluding a specific group more, or perhaps it is just that the people in that field are more forthcoming in actively going out to get what they want.

“The average range of ages we deal with is from 25 to 40 years and teachers constitute the majority of our clients compared to any other professions,” she said.

With few cases of perverts and practically none of serial killers, the net appears to still be a safe space in Zimbabwe. But it remains a chancy platform for those seeking serious commitments.

“People lie about who they are. I met a woman on the net and she told me that she was single. When I met her I was shocked because she looked nothing like the photo on her profile. I later found out that she was married. But by then I was hooked.

“All I can tell you is that it ended badly with her husband almost killing me. Internet dating is okay but you need to be very cautious,” confessed Brian, a 34-year-old divorcee from Harare.