Aphrodisiac vendors go for revellers

“gochi-gochi”, which won’t be an exception this Easter, these places now play host to vendors of all sorts.
These come to sell cigarettes, children’s toys, pirated CDs, roasted mopani worms, roundnuts and equally astounding are those who sell aphrodisiacs.
At Mereki, one enterprising youngster charges a fee for a dose of the latest jokes presented as news bulletins.
Since these places attract people from all walks of life, vending is now at an elaborate level with daring herbalists thriving on pleasure-seeking patrons.
According to Wikipedia, an aphrodisiac is “a substance that increases sexual desire. The name comes from Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of sexuality and love.
“Throughout history, many foods, drinks and behaviours have had a reputation for making sex more attainable and/or pleasurable. However, from a historical and scientific standpoint, the alleged results may have been mainly due to mere belief by their users that they would be effective (i.e., the placebo effect).
“In particular, Western medical science has no substantiated claims that any particular food increases sexual desire or performance. Some purported aphrodisiacs gain their reputation from the principles of sympathetic magic, for example oysters, due to their shape. The same factor explains the trade in the phallic-looking horn of the rhinoceros.
“Other animal-based aphrodisiacs gain their reputation from the apparent virility or aggressiveness of the animal source, such as tiger male organ.”
Like any other business, the vendors are shrewd, unapologetic, and witty and they make sure that their customers are satisfied before they buy the herbs.
One way of doing that is that they have mastered the language of intimacy. They tell you that you go on for seven hours non-stop or that your partner will not leave you for another man or woman. No doubt, this is what some of the patrons want to hear especially after imbibing a beer or two.
However, what is of great concern is that children who come to these places are exposed to the aphrodisiacs and they are curious to know more about the herbs.
One incident happened at Zindoga Shopping Centre where a vendor was chased away for using obscene language to customers. But in Harare the desire by men to please their wives in bed has given rise to vendors who throng such places as Mereki, Zindoga and Ziko with various libido-enhancing herbs.
Long ago traditional foods like mazondo were known to boost libido but with more people travelling abroad especially to China, there has been a shift from traditional herbs to tablets notably the “blue diamond”. But there are those who still believe in traditional herbs and according to local vendors each herb has a special name and purpose.
For instance, “Muchemedza Mbuya”, “Amai Mukai Hamuna Kuuya Kuzorara Pano”, “Muponda Poto” and “Gondorosi” are some of names used to describe the effectiveness of the herbs. Depending on the name of the herb you take it is believed that usually that is how you perform in bed.
A short film by a Zimbabwean filmmaker titled “Size Does Matter” makes for interesting viewing although much of it is slapstick humour. A young man who was worried about his manhood sought help from a vendor of no fixed abode at a nearby vegetable market. When he got there he was given some traditional herbs to enhance his manhood but little did he know that he would get more than he bargained for.
To his dismay he had overlooked the side effects of taking such herbs.
His manhood grew fourfold and by the time he wanted to seek treatment from the vendor who had prescribed the herb he was told that he had died a month before. The young man collapsed and he never got to use his overgrown manhood.
Yes, people want to eat, drink and relax especially on weekends but it is not advisable to try these new sexual herbs. Places like Zindoga are good for social interaction since they have become reputable outdoor gochi-gochi spots.
Besides the hullabaloo about vendors who sell aphrodisiacs I noted some people enjoy eating away from their homes.
And frankly, it is home away from home now that women from the neighbourhood have shifted their kitchens to this shopping centre where they serve meals to patrons for as little as US$1 for a plate of sadza and stew.
Music lovers normally get treated to good vibes by the likes of Dr Zobha of Power FM, who is a regular at Zindoga during weekends. More often than not flashy cars, buses and trucks are seen driving along Simon Mazorodze Road as they make their way to Zindoga where there is spacious parking under giant eucalyptus trees.
“We prefer this place mainly because it is not overcrowded like nightclubs and our families have space to enjoy. What matters is the space,” said a man who identified himself as Emerson.
Another regular at the spot, Chiramba of Waterfalls, said: “People enjoy drinking and braaing for as long as they know that their cars are safe.”
But some patrons voiced their concern over the conduct of herbal vendors.
“They are so disrespectful of people especially children. Even if you don’t want to buy the medicine they still come and say obscene things in front of kids,” she said.
Another patron said children should not be allowed at such places as Mereki, Zindoga or Ziko in Chitungwiza.
“I am a parent but when I need to braai with my family I cannot bring them to these places. There are no rest rooms and when it’s dark, there are no lights. Other people take advantage of the darkness and they do all sorts of unbecoming behaviour,” said Matthew Mabika of Borrowdale.
However, there were those who advocated for a ban on aphrodisiac vending at such places.
“Vendors are taking advantage of the laxity by authorities to sell just about anything. Despite being entertainment places there should be a market for such vendors and not at open-air places like this,” she said.
The name Zindoga was derived from one of the bars at Malvern Shopping Centre along Simon Mazorodze Road.
So if you are planning on taking your in-laws, children and loved ones be warned you might be coerced into buying aphrodisiacs even if they do not work for you!