28 December 2021
Innocent Sibonginkosi Ncube
www.zimgbcmedia.co.zw
On the 25th of December the world over celebrated Christmas day, it was a Saturday in Zimbabwe.
In Bulawayo, at Athlone Extension Cemetery 6 burials were taking place. Families and friends were laying to rest their dearly departed.
But, it was a day to be merry not to bury.
Some one thousand five hundred metres from the cemetery a flea market was open, sellers of second hand clothes were busy with their daily business as if this day was just another ordinary day.
But, this day was for relaxing with family not for business.
The Central Business District was packed with shoppers and celebrants of Christmas.
Driving was torture in almost all the streets of the City of Kings and Queens.
The market at Fife Street and 5th Avenue was a hive of activity, last minute buying of vegetables and fruits was taking place.
On 6th Avenue up to 5th Avenue along Jason Moyo Street, the famous khothama boutique was on going.
And yes, there were buyers. Many people were buying second hand clothes from vendors who had blocked the street with their wares.
Many shops were open as well.
This is not the Christmas day many of yesteryear are used to. The streets would be empty of vendors, shops would be operating with Skelton staff some would be closed, and there definitely would be no burials on this particular day.
Managing to pull along at Athlone Cemetery, Zim GBC News spoke to mourners who had just finished burying their relative.
“Our brother passed on on Thursday, we had to Bury him as soon as possible because of two reasons, one, the hospital sanctioned the burial and two we could not continue with the funeral wake until after the holidays. This would be expensive to the family.
Moreover some relatives wanted to go back to their lives and enjoy the festive season.” Zenzo Maphosa confided with this reporter.
“Yes, our brother has left us, we will miss him, but life has to go on. Ukukhala kwethu akusoze kwavusa umntaka baba.” Zenzo’s sister chipped in, visibly under the influence.
Yesteryear, a funeral wake would last around 5 to 7 days as relatives tried to get to grips with the loss of a loved one. Nowadays if one died today, burial would be the following day.
At Masotsha Ndlovu Flea Market, stall owners confessed that Christmas is no longer as cheerful as before. Whereas, in the olden days many people used to be employed, they were paid a salary and from that, one would plan for the festive season as well as for children’s school needs.
“Mwanangu, ndikagara kumba hapana achauya ondipa mari. Tarisa uone, nditori nema customer already. Mari yandatengesa nhasi will go a long way in assisting kubhadhara rent ne school fees.” Explained MaiChada as she served a customer.
“Ndirishirikadzi saka I have to work for my children. Bhero randavhura ratosvika madeko and I phoned my customers ndovarikutenga.”
My son if I sit at home no one will come and give me money. Look I have sold some clothes already, I am a widow and I have to take care of my children. The Bale I am selling today landed last night and I called my customers, they came to support me. The money I made today will assist in paying for school fees and pay rentals.
“Mina ngiqatshiwe likhiwa, lithe ngibuye ngizothengisa. If I had an option I would be home with my child enjoying Christmas labanye. But umntwana ufuna ukudla and clothing so here I am.” A lady by the name Senzeni volunteered.
I am employed here, and my employer ordered me to come and sell, I rather would have been home celebrating Christmas with my daughter, but I have to work for her.
“Bhudas, akusela Christmas as we know it. Look kusukela last week it’s business as usual everywhere. Lapha sekuyisurvival kuphela. If I don’t open and sell, siyalamba. I have made more sales today than previous days. So okwe Christmas ngokwabalemali.” Ephraim Msesedza chipped in.
Workers from fast food outlets complained of fatigue as they had been on their feet since they opened at 8 in the morning.
This scenario is understandable as those who are not fond of cooking and can afford fast food meals were already celebrating the day.
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Yet many sections of the city were functional as if it was a normal day.
What has happened to the Christmas cheer?
The economic crisis has taken away the sting of celebrations.
If one is a vendor it is pertinent that everyday is a working day. This is to ensure maximum returns.
To some Christmas has become expensive and unnecessary. With pathetic salaries of Civil servants, it would be folly to spend most of the inadequate salary buying Christmas goodies.
“We used to enjoy this day when we were growing up. We would gather as family and celebrate the Christmas cheer. Now its one man on his own.” Magadza said as he sold second hand jeans to a customer.
“I used to work at a factory in Belmont Industrial sites. I was a supervisor there, I never worked during Christmas day like I am doing today. The (current) situation just controls you.”
He went on to express the fact that if he were to stay at home his family would starve.
Indeed the yesteryear is gone and survival rules the roost. One has to be vasetile and fend for his family.
While the festive season dictates that family must be gathered together, the politics of the stomach commands something else.
Zim GBC News