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Prince Mushawevato and Andrew Moyo
Are you one for the rural areas and slaughtering the “lucky” cow, sheep, turkey or goat for the Christmas pot? Do you prefer to party with family and friends, go for a barbeque, take the kids out, spend the day in church, or just take it easy at home?
Or maybe you don’t care a hoot about Christmas and see it as just another day?
Accordingly, The Sunday Mail Leisure last week sought to find out how our artistes, socialites, business, church and sports people view Christmas and how they plan to spend the day this year.
Here is what they said.
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Jah Prayzah (Musician)
We belong to the public and they do not want to miss us on such days. This then means I will only be able to celebrate after Christmas and New Year holidays.
Nonetheless, I have organised for the whole family — including my wife, mom, dad and kids — to be together in Uzumba. Before I become what I now am, I used to go the rural areas for Christmas and the tradition should not die because of my commitments.
The rest of the family should carry on with the routine. The obtaining economic situation, I believe should not drive people to lose hope. God has bigger plans for each and every one of us.
Let’s make merry with the little that we have. But in that regard, let us also not forget to drink and celebrate responsibly. It will be bad to lose lives due to accidents that could have easily been avoided.
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Suluman Chimbetu (Musician)
As usual, I will be going to Chegutu. During the day we will be at the farm, eating, drinking, sharing presents and doing all sorts of funny stuff, then at night we will also as typical perform at TP Rukawo in Chegutu Town Centre.
Every Chimbetu family member is invited for the celebrations. But I just hope the rains that generally characterise Christmas will stay with us for some time and guarantee a good harvest.
When it’s hot, with no rains, people tend to panic and think life is difficult or has become difficult. Hence, a steady downpour will help ease their minds.
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Carl Joshua Ncube (Comedian)
I am planning on going to Victoria Falls but this is not your typical holiday. This is just a vacation at which I get to make plans for next year so I would rather call it work in a holiday resort. I just want to get to feel the comedy vibe in that town and I will probably be showing up at various venues for brief performances.
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Mai Olivia Charamba (Musician)
We will provide entertainment at Cresta Oasis from lunchtime to around 5pm on Christmas Day. After that we will join the rest of the family kumusha.
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Rosemary Siyachitema (Executive Director, Consumer Council of Zimbabwe)
I will spend the day at home with my brothers, dad, sisters, mom etc, eating together, celebrating, sharing presents and relaxing. Also we will have a morning service were we sing Christmas carols led by my dad, who is a retired bishop.
I know money is a bit difficult to get these days but that should not slay the festive mood. I’m a Christian and I believe Christmas is all about the birth of Christ thus we should celebrate regardless of whether we have money or not. I know they are those that lost their jobs but we still have our families and that’s reason to celebrate.
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Charles Manyuchi (Champion Boxer)
My World Boxing Council welterweight international championship belt is supposed to be defended early next year so I will be training. If I snooze, I will lose. I started training last week hence I cannot stop.
Christmas celebrations are done throughout the day and I can’t afford to waste that much time. Besides, I will only celebrate Christmas when I have surplus wealth.
And note that for the past three years I have not celebrated the day. Last year, I was busy fighting in Zambia on Christmas Day.
However, my family never misses an opportunity to celebrate the occasion. They are going to join others in the rural areas for the festivities. Maybe I will only celebrate New Year since it will only chew a couple of minutes of my time.
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Pastor Sam Nhubu
(Heartfelt Ministries)
On Christmas Day I will be at church in the morning and then after the service I go home where I will spend some quality time with family and friends.
I think I will also be visiting my parents and other relatives in surrounding areas so that I celebrate with them as well. But I don’t like travelling during that time so if I am to go on vacation I will do it after the holidays.
During this time of the year we as pastors we will also be preparing for the crossover into the New Year. Basically this is what I will be doing till December 31.
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Barbara Chikosi/Mai Red Rose (Beauty Parlour Owner)
It’s business as usual throughout the festive holiday for us. People want to visit different places or attend various parties presentable, with nice hairstyles and we are guaranteeing that happens by opening on Christmas Day.
We are only going to close on New Year. My whole family is outside the country so I have nothing to worry about back home.
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Max Tshuma (Chairman, Casino Operators Association)
We are taking it easy, celebrating the birth of Christ through Christmas carols, food and drink, hoping the coming of the new season will bring better fortunes for our casino business and every other business operations in the country. Christmas is a special moment and a time for giving, which should be cherished by everyone who believes in it.
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Fungisai Zvakavapano-
Mashavave (Musician)
I deliberately decided not to travel so that I can be there for my family. I will spend time with my husband and kids though I have two private functions on the day. This is how life is for us (celebrities) but l try and balance between work and family, at the same time making sure I don’t kill the celebratory mood for everyone that looks up to me.
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Doc Vikela (Comedian)
December 25 will just be work, work and more work, nothing to celebrate. This is something new in my life. Traditionally I go to Bulawayo on December 24 then return on January 2. But this year I’m taking a cue from the sungura guys that go on break between January 3 and January 15 (laughs). Maybe this festive season is different because Anne Kansiime (Ugandan comedian) opened new avenues for me. My profile rose and my services are in demand. I doing a country wide tour that will see me perform in places like Chimanimani, Bulawayo, Chinhoyi, Chiredzi, Mutare, Masvingo and Harare.
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DJ Flava (Club DJ)
The festive season is probably the busiest period on our calendar so I don’t even get to make plans for Christmas Day. We will actually be playing in Mutare on December 24 and we are also planning another gig for December 25 so it is going to be hectic.
I will only get to spend time with family on December 27 probably in Mazvikadei, fishing. We have to maximise on every opportunity we get during this period because come January gigs will be hard to come by.
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Cal Vin (Musician)
My schedule is very busy and I don’t think I will get the chance to spend time with family during Christmas. I have a gig in Harare on December 24, also I will be performing alongside some DJs from South Africa on December 25 in Bulawayo, the following day I will travel to Beitbridge and on December 27 I am back in Bulawayo for the Kalawa homecoming gig where I will be sharing the stage with the likes of AKA and Casper Nyovest.
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Peter Moyo (Musician)
I will be far from home. We have a private gig in Zvishavane on Christmas Day in the afternoon then at night we will be performing in Chivi. But usually we do a family gathering like mdara (the late Tongai Moyo) used to do.
The Christmas celebrations usually bring together every member of the Moyo family including vazukuru. I will, however, make sure that I create a platform for them to be happy. That is the objective of the day.
Online Reporter