Chronicle Editor
Amanda Mlevu, Sunday News Reporter
BULAWAYO was a hive of activity this past week as parents and guardians did their last minute shopping in preparation for the opening of schools for the first term this Tuesday.
Uniforms and stationery shops as well as vendors who have stocked for the schools opening recorded brisk business.
Parents who spoke to Sunday News said they were buying the last of what they needed for the opening of schools and due to congestion, they were now shopping from street vendors as shops were overwhelmed.
Most parents who were buying in retail shops were buying for mostly Form Ones, Grade Ones and Early Childhood Development (ECD) learners.
Sunday News caught up with Mr Felistas Sibanda who was buying stationery for his two grandchildren who are going to boarding school before he leaves for his job in South Africa.
“I am buying school uniforms and trunks for my grandchildren before I go back to work in South Africa, prices are quite reasonable and honestly it is better to buy here because I can get everything at once from trunk to socks and school shoes,” said Mr Sibanda.
Mrs Awakhiwe Ncube was buying for an ECD learner and she said besides all the stress that comes with school shopping, she was excited for the new journey her child was embarking on.
“I know it is January and as parents, we are worried about money, but for me, I can say I am excited about this journey that my child is embarking on, the journey of beginning school,” she said.
Most parents, however, said they had challenges in sourcing ECD uniforms as some of the learners were very small physically and were forced to buy uniforms that they would alter to fit their children.
Ms Mary Ndlovu a vendor who sells her wares along Fort Street and 6th Avenue in Bulawayo said they were getting customers who want to buy school stationery.
“I am getting a lot of customers who want to buy books, pens, covers and uniforms, some will just be walking past here and then remember that they need to buy stationery for their children so business is brisk,” said Ms Ndlovu.
Some customers who were using foreign currency said it was cheaper to buy from vendors with forex as the prices were more reasonable compared to those in retail shops.
Bongani Ndlovu