Osiphatheleni joy, heads liberation and tithesaï¿½ï¿½ knock

Khuphuka Nasingeni
So much goes around in the way of news, some of it quite inspiring but mostly depressing.Aï¿½ I guess it all rests on oneaï¿½ï¿½s attitude towards a given situation.Aï¿½ I am not well versed in the nitty gritties of money and the financial markets and stuff but one thing for sure, I know there is a shortage of cash because my withdrawals have been capped. Aï¿½

The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has been visible seeking to reassure the public by putting in place measures to reduce inconvenience on the public brought about by the shortage of cash.Aï¿½ Does anyone still remember 2007 to 2008?

These years have come to symbolise the worst that Zimbabweans have had to endure and many people do not want to go back to those days of shortages of everything.Aï¿½ You would think there is unanimity in that view- far from it, judging from the wild dances and celebrations by sections of our community after the announcement by the RBZ that bond notes would be introduced to address the shortages of cash.

Those familiar with Bulawayoaï¿½ï¿½s 5th Avenue, sections of Fort Street near food courts, Egodini and even Fourth Streetaï¿½ï¿½s RoadportAï¿½ in Harare or by the corner of Eastgate Building, know that foreign currency dealing is the order of the day at these places.Aï¿½ You should have seen the celebrations at some of these places after the announcement of the impending introduction of bond notes.

At the height of the countryaï¿½ï¿½s economic woes in 2008, these cash barons were virtually in charge of the economics in the country and they determined the exchange rate.Aï¿½ They were untouchable and felt like they ran the world.

However, when the multi-currency regime took hold, many of them fell by the wayside and they have never forgiven the US dollar and those that torpedoed their honeymoon.Aï¿½ Money changers could be heard chanting aï¿½?we are back in businessaï¿½ï¿½ and rubbing their hands with glee in anticipation of a quick buck through currency speculation.

These economists reckon that, armed with the bond notes, they can overcome the US dollar and take over the markets, making it blacker than the 2008 black!Aï¿½ God forbid.Aï¿½ We wonder where these guysaï¿½ï¿½ allegiance lies, and what really drives them since their selfishness knows no bounds.

My friend uMzo was telling me of these two women connections of his that said that they were serving their three monthsaï¿½ï¿½ notice at salons and flea markets since they would be back in business soon!

I doubt they will have it easy this time around, but their mood is dampening the majorityaï¿½ï¿½s as it evokes sad memories, memories that could lead to terrible attitudes towards the RBZaï¿½ï¿½s interventions.

We shall see if indeed there is reasonable grounds for celebrations by osiphatheleni.Aï¿½ Time will tell; but in the meantime they cannot contain their joy and they are telling anyone that cares to listen that they are back in the game.Aï¿½ So much about the excited and excitable money changers.

Supermarkets could suddenly record brisk business from grocery clubs that have been haggling over the import of the RBZ governoraï¿½ï¿½s announcement, with some having decided to buy groceries now with the money already banked instead of waiting for December as is the tradition.

There it is, Mr Supermarket/Wholesale manager, I have explained your sudden windfall!

The fear of the Zimdollar is palpable, and even my vociferous defence of the bond notes at my usual spot could not convince even my closest friends!Aï¿½ As I write this instalment, it is still a struggle to get money at most banks, and bars that neglected to install facilities that allow swiping to pay for alcoholic beverages are in trouble.

I see many men turning to supermarkets to buy their favourite brands and then paying using their bank cards.Aï¿½ A quick survey will show that there is more movement at supermarkets than at bars due to these payment challenges.

I was taken through the steps of paying for goods using mobile money transfer aï¿½ï¿½Aï¿½ how liberating I found that to be.

I was lucky one debtor paid into my mobile money account and I have been using this money here and there to pay for stuff.Aï¿½ How I wish this was available last week when I ran around trying to pay school fees.

Talking about liberation, I eavesdropped a conversation between two headmasters that were urging each other to be uncompromising with parents that were behind in their fees payments.Aï¿½ aï¿½?They will be coming in this week with all manner of stories.Aï¿½ The Minister has really assisted us on this oneaï¿½ï¿½ How do I even allow negotiations with a parent who has not paid first term fees when I am supposed to be dealing with second term fees,aï¿½? the conversation went, before fading beyond the till point at this supermarket in town.

The general cash crunch in the country and failure by firms to pay employees, has given rise to this scourge of late fees payment.

It appears churches have also not been spared and tithes and offerings have been hit hard aï¿½ï¿½ that is if this advertisement I saw around town is anything to go by.

There is a church building that this church, whose name announces the final days before Christ comes, that is up for sale.Aï¿½ The interesting thing is that the advert says it is the adjacent land that is up for grabs but you have to take this piece of land together with the church building, in some sort of package.

This got me thinkingaï¿½ï¿½ the believers using that building cannot afford it, meaning their tithes and offerings fall short of the required amount.

However, as a creature of faith, despair occupies no space in my dealings. I hold on to the word of God. I am very hopeful, and rightly so. Remember that when we marched into the New Year, our countless men of God gave very profound and progressive prophecies about the future of this country and no amount of fear of the unknown(and temporary setbacks) shall move me from this word, that I believe they personally received from the Almighty! .