Founder & Author — ZimPropTech
Analyst · Developer · Writer · Harare, Zimbabwe
American-born, Harare-based. I moved to Zimbabwe in 2022 with my wife Jess, a Harare native, and have been covering the Zimbabwe property market with a data-first, independence-first approach ever since.
Background
I grew up in Jarrettsville, Maryland — small town, Eagle Scout, Towson University theatre degree. After college I worked in tech and retail marketing, then in 2013 I left the US for the first time, WWOOFing in England and Scotland. That trip didn't stop for about nine years.
I lived in Vietnam from 2016 to 2020 — teaching English, founding Real Talk Philosophy (an international events organization now running in 12+ cities), delivering a TEDx talk in Hanoi, and leading meditation groups. Then Thailand during COVID. Then back to the US briefly. Then Zimbabwe in 2022.
Zimbabwe was always where we were heading — my wife Jess is from Harare. When I arrived, I started doing what I always do: researching everything about the place I'm in. The Zimbabwe property market is complex, fraud-riddled, currency-chaotic, and completely underserved by quality independent journalism. So I built ZimPropTech.
What Jon Does
My day work is in data analysis and software development. I build web applications (React, Next.js, TypeScript, Python), Chrome extensions, and Coda-based tools. I was Operations Manager at Resume Worded and have worked as a project manager and analyst across international remote teams. ZimPropTech itself — including the calculators, the manifest-driven post system, and the site architecture — was built by me.
Every ZimPropTech article starts with a structured research process: primary sources, official publications, real data. The writing is AI-assisted but the research, review, and editorial judgement are mine. I've read the ZiG launch documentation, the EACZ quarterly reports, the title deed validation gazetted notices. That's the foundation.
Real Talk Philosophy / Opening Up (2017–present) — an international philosophy and events organization running community discussions in 12+ cities on topics including ethics, religion, politics, and identity. 25+ international team members at peak. I'm the Executive Director.
Jon Dallas AI LLC — freelance app development and data consulting. Building AI-native tools and platforms for clients.
Musician (banjo, guitar, ukulele, piano, kalimba), actor (17 stage productions, Mack the Knife in Die Dreigroschenoper, Jesus in Godspell), Ashtanga yoga instructor (RYT 200, Pattabhi Jois tradition), SCUBA Divemaster (PADI), meditation teacher, Eagle Scout, ordained minister. Life is full.
Life in brief
In pictures
Story tips, corrections, partnerships, or just a question about the Zimbabwe property market.
