It’s time to unwind

Hello summer and goodbye winter. It is that time of the year when people break out of their cocoons to embrace the African sun through interesting lifestyles. The care-free season is back with temperatures outside reaching as high as 39 degrees Celsius in some parts of the country.This hot weather is by far the most eventful season of the year not only in Zimbabwe but the world over. There certainly is something about the heat that at times inspires a bit of madness if summer traditions are anything to go by.

Over the edge fashion trends
Fashion is an ever evolving practice throughout the seasons. However, as the summer begins to blossom, so do wardrobes. People display much brighter colours and over the edge statements that spell “summer”.

This normally involves more bare skin from both sexes. The males trade the trousers for comfortable shorts while female clothes “shrink”.
At times, showing too much skin that the season gets all sorts of nicknames — “shama time” meaning a time were people are bare.

Whichever the case, the scorching African sun brings about a parade of short shorts, skirts, sandals and small tops, while others choose to expose everything and really go bare.

Outings
Thumbs-up to the genius who had the festive holiday come during summer this side of the country. Boy don’t the locals know how to utilise the longest holiday of the year.

As mentioned earlier, there is something in the air that drives people to scatter in all directions in search for gigs, beauty pageants or just going clubbing. Forget about summer having the shortest nights, this time of the year sees the highest number of party people dancing the night away in various spots.

Chakanyuka Simbini, the owner of Khulez nightspot in Harare’s CBD, confirmed the notion.
“Generally, summer is the best time of the year and we enjoy brisk business due to high sales. There is a higher turnout of patrons who come to cool off because of the high temperatures. Also with the November-December holiday in the corner, there is less pressure and spirits are always high,” he said.

Another club owner, Petros Chigodora of Hwenjes Club in Glen Norah, concurred with Simbini adding that people were often in a good mood to spend, probably a therapeutic way of cooling off the heat.

“Business is indeed good during this time of the year and even attendances at live shows are quite impressive,” he said.
Not everyone is a swimmer but come summer time, the majority head to the water, to cool off and rejuvenate.

Lake Chivero, on the outskirts of Harare, is a popular spot for people in and around the capital. An artificial beach has been created in the past few years making it a first in Zimbabwe.

Its environment brings a refreshing atmosphere that has people enjoying the beach life.
Holidaying

Travelling to holiday resorts is the next best thing in summer as people. While not everyone can afford holidays overseas in expensive resorts around the country, others opt for cheaper alternatives.

Known as domestic tourism, people take time out, getting in touch with nature and the wildlife with family and friends.
Lionel Margolis of the Steven Margolis Resort in Harare had figures to confirm this.

“Summer is the busiest season for us and we have a lot of people coming into our resort for outings. Sixty percent of our visitors are local people while 40 percent foreign. This is an indication that locals are keen on domestic tourism.

“To give back, we have summer specials with accommodation discounts and a variety of outdoor games they come to enjoy,” he said.
Margolis added that people come out in numbers at the resort to enjoy fishing, volleyball and large and small livestock such as rabbits, guinea fowl, squirrels and turkeys they keep for recreation. This is a way of keeping visitors in touch with their rural lifestyles

Celebrations
Summer is also the favourite time of the year for weddings, graduations, kitchen parties and many others.
Welcome back home

By the end of the year when the season is in full swing, it is also interesting to note that most Diasporans flock back into the country after spending several months in foreign lands.

They also spice up the summer while they are assimilated by the local communities. They always bring interesting stories of the dramas they face in their foreign homes.