Online Reporter
Trust Freddy
Herald Correspondent
African attire boutiques and street vendors yesterday recorded brisk business as parents and guardians scrambled to buy traditional outfits for their children ahead of Africa Day celebrations in schools across Harare.
A snap survey carried by The Herald showed that most schools will observe Africa Day today, having rescheduled from the actual day, which falls on Sunday, while others will celebrate on Tuesday.
Some schools have made wearing African attire mandatory with non-compliant students facing a fine of US$5.
Others are marking the day as a civics event, allowing students to wear traditional outfits for a fee ranging from US$1 to US$5.
Shop owners and vendors are reaping the benefits, with many reporting good business since last week.
“We have been overwhelmed by the demand,” a shop owner who preffered to be identified as Yvonne at Homegate Mall along Kwame Nkrumah Avenue said.
“It’s been a busy week, and I have run out of big sizes because parents are coming in numbers.”
Street vendor Euvencia Zonde, operating along Robert Mugabe Road, echoed similar sentiments. “I got this order last week, but I’m only left with a few sets of African attires, and they are selling faster than uniforms.”
Another vendor noted that the only challenge was that the good profits were seasonal.
“We have been receiving orders from boarding schools and a few private colleges, but the challenge is that if we fail to sell the current stock we have now, we need to carry it over next year.”
African attire tracksuits were selling for US$30 at big retailers while street vendors sold them for US$10. African attire dresses were going for between US$15 to US$25.
While some parents appreciate the initiative, citing its value in teaching students about African heritage, others feel it puts unnecessary pressure on their finances.
“This is a very good initiative for our children because we tend to follow Western culture, so they must know our African culture,” said Ms Priscilla Mavhunga from Kuwadzana.
Another parent described the initiative as a major step in demystifying some myths about African culture.
“We are very excited because our children have also been asked to bring traditional food, so I will prepare some traditional food for my kids tomorrow (today),” she added.
However, for Ms Vimbai Zata, the mandatory requirment to wear African attire is just a way of milking parents.
“This is unnecessary pressure on parents,” she said. “I have three kids, and I had to buy them a tracksuit each for US$25, and I’m supposed to pay US$2 for each again because the day is being viewed as a civic day.”
Another guardian, Mr Godwin Zvomuya, expressed similar concerns: “It’s painful because, in addition to the outfits, there’s money to be paid for Africa Day, and if you decide not to buy outfits, you’ll have to pay a fine again.”
Some schools were reportedly charging as much as US$30 per student for the Africa Day celebrations while some parents were in a dilemma where to buy to buy traditional foods.
This comes barely a month after Government warned warned schools against holding civic days to raise funds for Independence Day celebrations.
The Ministry condemns any attempt to impose financial burdens on learners or institutions for national events.
Primary and Secondary Education spokesperson Mr Taungana Ndoro said the Ministry condemns any attempt to impose financial burdens on learners or institutions for national events.
