Covid-19 lockdown ignites neighbourliness

Nkosilathi Sibanda
THERE is always the sound of little chatter among women as they flap their feet on tarmac in the early hours of the morning on their way to the nearby borehole.

In groups of five or six, they gather to fetch water for the day. At supermarkets, the same women call on each other whenever there is a load of mealie-meal that came by. Among them is a nurse, who is the only one with a travelling clearance to the Central Business District (CBD). She is sent groceries and whatever is needed by her neighbours.

At Bulawayo’s Old Pumula suburb, Mr Mike Ncube and Mai Muchena have been neighbours for nearly 35 years. They are a second generation of settlers in the township, having taken over ownership of their parents’ houses.

They share a dwelling of a semi-detached structure and both assume the reputation of elders whom the community entrusts. But they stayed all the time without talking to each other. Ncube’s children were told never to play or share bread with Mai Muchena’s. It was unacceptable, deplorable.

But, to the surprise of many at the close knit suburb, Ncube and Muchena have suddenly turned friends. This is the tale of how the Covid-19-induced lockdown has combed once sworn enemies into unexpected friendly relationships in neighbourhoods around townships.

In the midst of fear, despair and uncertainty, the pandemic has brought in what could be one of mankind’s purpose to living, that is loving and caring for one another. Their story reads true to many neighbours who have made up, after going on ends as enemies.

The current lockdown measures forced people to stay at home and has somehow led to a wave of neighbourliness as people look out for each other. With shops closing early, residents have to grapple with organising their tasks and food needs in the shortest time. From time to time Mai Muchena has to knock on Mr Ncube’s door to ask for a cup of maize meal to thicken her pot. Mr Ncube cannot help but borrow a half-bar of soap whenever he runs short of the basic hand washing commodity. Before the lockdown, this was unheard of.

To lack is commonplace nowadays as the Covid-19 lockdown has rendered many jobless, without secondary sources of income. Societies seemed to have long thrown away the tradition of sharing of food, a trend that was popular back in time. But still, the Covid-19 lockdown somehow has ignited a humanely tradition of love, care and sharing among neighbours.

Despite not being able to spend time physically with neighbours, residents of Bulawayo who were interviewed by Sunday News last week, said their relationships with fellow residents have become better in the last three months.

Staying for long hours at home and rekindling neighbourliness has meant that society now knows the value of relationships, according to Dr Sharai Mombeshora, a psychologist based in Bulawayo.

“It is indeed pleasing that we are back in the old times when neighbours were friends. While it is unfortunate that it comes at a tough time of Covid-19, it’s appreciable that people have found love for one another once again,” she said.

She said the fact that neighbours can now give each other food unconditionally, meant a lot. Checking up on how a neighbour or friend is feeling at this time has proved to be what keeps communities resilient in the face of impending health catastrophe.

Besides sharing stories and myths about the coronavirus, families and friends get into social platforms to rekindle the good old times. The family unit and the social cluster seem to be a pillar of hope, according to family therapist, Getrude Tsiko.

“Of course neighbours and families are now starting to cool down long held squabbles. This thing (coronavirus) has the power to configure relations, but for the better,” she said.

With as many give outs of food hampers being done of late, there have been scenes of elderly women with babies strapped on backs overwhelmed with smiles as they received food hampers and hand sanitisers. Government and well wishers have fronted donations to the elderly and the disadvantaged members of society.

Such gestures have had a ripple effect on individuals in churches and companies who have extended a hand as well. Such generosity is hard to come by. In townships it has meant keeping your closest closer.

“It is only in times of war that humans find love. I saw the need to love my neighbour when on one night in April I had run out of airtime to call an ambulance. Thankfully, the man who lives next door was quick to help, but we hardly said hi to each other all along,” said Mr Ncube.

The Covid-19 lockdown came at a time when Zimbabweans are toiling their hardest, eking a living in the informal sector. The despair is there but communities have found it easy to contain by standing with one another. It is mostly the elderly who bore the brunt of building families who say they check on their neighbours from time to time.

“A little chat, asking of health and about other issues in life is important. I live with nieces and for me to get something from a neighbour is a blessing,” said Mai Muchena.

Mr Morrison Mahlangu who runs a tuckshop at Cowdray Park’s Esigodweni area said it is heartening to hear that so many people are caring for one another during this time of crisis. These are hard times and when people turn to help one another, it is good. Everyone of us has a role to make sure that those who are on their own and lonely, especially the most vulnerable, are safe in their homes. Morning greetings which most young people shun are what makes the communities tick nowadays.

Mr Ncube revealed that with his neighbour, simply like saying hello over the fence and asking how they feel was now a habit. These are signs of the times, as Elder Thiam Hove, a pastor at pentecostal church, Goodhope Ministries said.

“Love your neighbour as you love yourself, so the Scripture says. Who are we not to obey the Lord’s command? These are signs that we must fast repent and love each other.”