I'm interested in hearing opinions as to how the population in Zimbabwe can protect themselves given that forex is now banned essentially,
As an African I sympathize with all Zimbabweans, what they're suffering isn't in any way different from what most other nations in Africa are battling with in regards to the inflation of our local currency. Many commenting here won't understand but I have had similar experience in regards to the value of your local currency suffering a high rate of inflation due to bad economy mostly caused by bad/corrupt governance. The government of the day have refused to tackle the problem from it roots which is the high rate of corruption in the country so until that is been done we shouldn't expect any difference anything soon.
My opinion on what Zimbabweans can do, involves them engaging in cryptocurrency related business which I guess many of them are already aware of. Holding their local currency only make them poorer but if they were to invest in bitcoin and take advantage of the price volatility the story would be different. Note the government has banned forex but cryptocurrency trading aren't easily tradable therefore, they can find redemption in bitcoin.
and what you think the direction will be for the economy of Zimbabwe for the future.
The government can't be doing the exact same thing but expecting a different result. Before we talk about the future of their economy they first have to fight to reduce or totally eradicate the corrupt practices in the country. Which involves having a free and fair election to elect in a president with a version for the country then we can't start debating on the future of the economy. Using the current factor, just like most other nations in Africa their economy won't improve anything soon.