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Melissa Chekwa
At this time last year, Ester Dube had received her bonus and all she could think of was taking time out with her family.
It was all fun and nice until reality kicked in at the beginning of January. School fees wasn’t paid, uniforms were not bought and stationery wasn’t even there. Buying at school wasn’t even an option because it was madly expensive. It wasn’t just school, but other bills were piling up as she was behind in payments.
It hadn’t occurred to her when she got her bonus the previous year that she could save herself from the January disease by capitalising on the extra money that she had got by clearing some arrears.
Like Dube, most people often get too excited after receiving their bonus. They usually spend it on things that are not really necessary, not to mention that it is received during the festive season when people are on a hype to spend more.
B-Metro took to the streets and individually talked to Dube and some parents on how they handle their bonus payments in regards to school preparations.
After enduring the long year and its economic tribulations, people feel like they deserve to pump themselves out. However, it can only come at a cost. The headache that comes in January after realising the cost of things one has to clear against the change they have left is the worst.
“Deep down you just know what the right thing to do is, but when you look back to where you came from, you just know and tell yourself that you deserve a break,” justified Dube.
The Zimbabwean currency that has been rapidly losing its value got parents like Xolani Sibanda saying they often feel that spending the money the moment they receive is the best thing to do before it further loses value.
“And when I receive that money, I would rather go and celebrate, have fun and forget that I have responsibilities. It’s the only time I get to do what I want with my money without worry,” said one Xolani Sibanda.
However, what most people don’t realise is that in December, retailers usually drop their prices for clearance sales since the year will be ending. Then in January during the back to school season, retailers usually sky rocket their prices so much it leaves some parents drowning in debt.
B-Metro made a quotation at some of the renowned school shops like Toppers and Esats. A parent may need a total of about $3 000 to get a full set of new uniforms including the dress/ boys set, jersey, socks, school shoes, backpack and an optional trunk for boarding students. Meanwhile, on the black market one requires about $2 000 to get the same list.
However, as the days go by, price tags are changed. By the time the January disease strikes, it is likely the prices will be hysterical for both markets.
Due to the price differences, most parents have found themselves shopping for their back to school items on the streets in town because they see it as affordable. However, it’s not always that one may find quality clothing on the streets because usually cheap material is used for sewing the uniforms if it’s not bought from neighbouring countries.
At the same time, in January it would be difficult to get the best quality from shops because of the high prices. Therefore, the best and the wisest thing to do would be to use bonus earnings now while everything is still affordable.
Some pupils have had to defer from school while some have had to either change schools or go to schools without enough school items because of poor planning. At the end of the day it tempers with a pupil’s confidence and performance.
Meanwhile, seeing the impact of procrastinating clearing school arrears left Dube considering otherwise.
“Now when I look at it, it wouldn’t be so bad to clear school arrears first, then when January comes the burden will be less,” said Dube.
However, there were some parents who said a bonus to them is like a hammer to the nail.
“I hate living with suspension hanging in my life. I always want my things to be perfect and go accordingly. I prioritise clearing my debts every time I get an opportunity. So I always use my bonus to cover all my arrears and use my basic salary to cover for the festive hype,” said Nomagugu Moyo.
Another said as much as its hard and tempting, using the bonus for tangible things like school is far much better than buying a new set of sofas.
“When the heat hits the fan in January, you might even sell that couch and pay for school fees and other school items. What would you have achieved other than a waste of time,” said Michelle Shoko.
Online Reporter