A woman sits inside a loaded rural bus going for Christmas in Mbare, Harare, Zimbabwe, Dec. 19, 2022. (Photo by Shaun Jusa/Xinhua)
by Tafara Mugwara
HARARE, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) -- Nearly three years after the pandemic hit, the atmosphere of festivity that engulfs Zimbabwe during the Christmas season is back in full swing as people travel to their rural areas to celebrate the holiday far away from the fast-paced urban life.
At the Mbare Musika long-distance bus terminus, buses taking off were packed to capacity two days before the most important holiday.
On the loading bays, bus attendants and rank marshals loaded bulky bags packed with groceries and other goodies on bus rooftop carriers ready to hit the road.
Informal grocery vendors around the terminus also took the opportunity to capitalize on the travel rush to make a killing from last-minute shoppers.
"This year's Christmas is likely to be the best; due to COVID-19 in the last two years, we could not celebrate because we spent most of the time at home," said Felistas Musengezi, a traveler.
In Zimbabwe, people usually prepare the best meals to celebrate Christmas and New Year. During the festive season, livestock such as chickens, goats, sheep and cows are at risk of being part of the special dishes served during the festive period.
Family reunions and traveling characterized the holiday season until the pandemic hit in 2020, forcing Zimbabweans to depart from their holiday traditions. But as the threat from the pandemic is fading away, the tide is turning back -- the spirit of merriment is very much alive.
Hashem Kazembe, a traveler, said the holiday season is very important as families gather to discuss important matters.
"Christmas is meaningful to me because it is the holiday that family and friends can meet, and it is the time that we discuss family issues because people will be free from work," Kazembe said.
For transport operators such as Funlesley Kambeva, the travel chaos is a boon.
"Things were much tougher two years ago due to the lockdown, but the situation is better now," said Kambeva.
And for vendors around the terminus, like Patience Moyana, the holiday rush is a time to fill their pockets.
"We put our market here because that's where money starts circulating. A lot of goods can be found here. People going to their rural areas who get stranded and cannot go to the formal supermarkets can do their shopping here; that's how we make money," said Moyana.
Riding on the festive season shopping frenzy, roadside boutiques also load new stock targeting those who want their families to mark the holiday in style.
"As Christmas approaches, I have come to buy clothes for my children so that they can celebrate the holiday in style because that is the time we all meet as relatives and friends," said Loice Gaza, a customer at a roadside shop near the terminus.
For children, the Christmas period is one of the best in life as they often receive new clothes from their parents, or presents from their elders. ■
People load luggage on top of a rural bus to go for Christmas in Mbare, Harare, Zimbabwe, Dec. 19, 2022. (Photo by Shaun Jusa/Xinhua)