Whatever it is, gadgets can do it

Why bother with cooking when the microwave can whip up a meal in minutes?
The world has changed and Zimbabwe is fast catching up. Gadgets have literally taken over and many a home boast of all the gadgets that money can buy as people try to spend less and less of their time on things that can be done faster and better by machines and gadgets.
Washing machines, dryers, vacuum cleaners, dish washers, toasters, water dispensers, floor polishers, mixers, cutters, friers are among some of the must haves as Zimbabweans respond to today’s world.
Gone are the days when washing had to be done in a whole full day.
Back in the day the women would all literally leave the village and head to the river to wash their clothes in the river.
After the washing they would also have to wait for the clothes to dry before heading back to the village. That is no longer the case.
Today going through a whole family’s laundry is something that takes very little time.
All they have to do is sort through the different colours, get the washing powder measurements right and voila- they are on their way to a clean wash.
After the washing is done, there is no need to hang the clothes out to dry. There are dryers in place to take care of that important component of laundry.
Even with all this good, Zimbabwean sunshine, dryers are also selling very fast as Zimbabwean homemakers turn their homes into gadget land.
Cutting, chopping, slicing, dicing, mixing, cooking, baking — whatever it is — gadgets can do it.
Saturday Lifestyle went round looking at people’s homes and was amazed at the large numbers of gadgets that people stock up on.
Counter tops in most of the homes in the suburbs are bursting at the seams with gadgets.
In fact according to Ms Middie Mandivaka of Marlborough, a home is made by what is placed in it. The kitchen, said the lady who has all the gadgets that one can think of in her home, should be every woman’s pride and from looking at what is lined up on a woman’s counter tops, this is somewhat true.
“Microwaves, toasters, juice blenders, electric frying pans, cake mixers and bread makers are just some of what one puts up on the counter tops. There, it is easy to reach them when you need to use them but they also add an element of flair and sophistication to the home. I cannot imagine not having these things. They make life so much easier,” she said.
Daniel, a 35-year-old single business man says he is so excited about life now because there are gadgets and machines to do everything.
“Because of the microwave, I am able to make myself quick meals or just to warm up take-aways. I clean my house easily because of the hoover.
“In the past I would have been under pressure to get married because I would need someone to look after my place. But now I just vacuum twice a week and throw my clothes in the washing machine at the weekend. I only bring in someone for the ironing and thorough cleaning,” he said.
Some ladies however said gadgets are popular these days because they just happen to be in fashion. Some confessed to buying gadgets that they have never used or do not know how to use just so people can see them when they enter their homes.
A Chisipite based mum, who identified herself as Ruva said it is an unspoken rule that to be successful, one must have all the trappings that are associated with success.
“Now if you do not have a microwave, a washing machine, vacuum cleaner, coffee maker, water dispenser, among others, how can you claim to be successful?
“There are gadgets that a home must have, whether they will be used or not and that is why you see me picking up gadgets right now,” she said.
She was replacing her electric jug and rice cooker as the ones she had had developed faults.
“Surely should I still be boiling rice in a pot in this day where rice cookers are the rage? Should I be placing bread in the oven when sandwich toasters and regular toasters are all over the show? It is time to get with it,” she said.
Even children apparently love the gadgets for they allow them to participate in making meals and getting things done. Sixteen year old Marvin from Avondale said he cleans the house and does the laundry for his family because all he has to do is plug in the necessary machine.
“It is so cool that we have all these machines and gadgets coming up every day. They make life awesome and also they make the house look well stocked and classy,” he said.
Do you have enough gadgets?