Ashly Dhani
Covid-19 is threatening to dampen Christmas and New Year holidays. The year has been a tale of disease and death. Life is now being dictated by the strictures of guidelines and protocols put in place by the World Health Organisation to mitigate the effects of the coronavirus.
That we are now undergoing the second wave of the disease obviously takes the gloss from the festive period as it is difficult to make merry when people are dying.
“What happiness can you talk of when you are always being reminded to put on a mask to stay alive and safe?
We are going through an unprecedented period in history and there is really nothing to smile about,” quipped one acquaintance last week.
“Usadherere Covid mwana wamudhara. Ine munhu pasi,” he continued with a contorted face that betrayed the pain that lay deep in his heart.
“Covid-19 dai iri munhu taiti muroyi wemandiriri . . . Instead, people are concerned about survival,” said a concerned lady as she tried to reflect on the holidays.
Such is the vibe across the length and breadth of the city.
Covid-19 has come with a new normal that has disrupted people’s lives and robbed them of their happiness.
“Nhai Ishe, tinopana here? Nhai Wedenga, tinopona here? Gore rino Mambo tichapona here?” this song by the late Fanuel “System” Tazvida and his trailblazing Chazezesa Challengers immediately comes to mind.
The festive season was normally associated with travel, bingeing and unrestrained joy.
Companies also added to the excitement by holding end-of-the-year parties for their staff, which is not possible this year because of the current restrictions.
“Kugocha hwiza hunge waibata. Gore rino hapana hapana. No party, no travel, no dhindindi for anyone. Kukweshera chete. Mafaro akatenherwa kure nekutya chigwere chakati kuuya ichi,” a pushcart operator called Masvingo, who is infamous for his coarse and uncouth language, could be heard shouting while going about his business in the city centre.
Unpopular bosses were usually dealt with by their aggrieved subordinates at Christmas parties.
Unfortunately, this has to wait until next year. Also, thousands of Zimbabweans living and working in South Africa, Botswana and Namibia, among a number of countries at home and abroad, will not be able to come home as they normally do.
“I normally welcome my children home from various parts of the globe during Christmas. Sadly, the guys are not coming home. This time around things are different,” one granny called Amai Mujubheki told this writer in Glen Norah recently.
It surely has been a tough year.
It is God’s case and there is no appeal.
Tinotamba irikurira!
Inotambika mughetto.
Online Reporter