Ashly Dhani
Veronica Gwaze
As the countdown to Christmas continues, the chiming carols are getting louder by the day.
Many are, however, asking whether a “normal Christmas” is possible under Covid-19.But this year’s holiday will be like no other, as it will take place under new health protocols designed to restrict movement and, by extension, the spread of the coronavirus.
While the challenges of celebrating the day under the shadow of a pandemic are known and expected, it is the extent to which these challenges will inconvenience the public that is being interrogated.
The cancellation of many planned events and celebrations due to the outbreak, ominously indicates how festivities are likely to pan out.
Restrictions on public gatherings will definitely take the cheer out of Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Under current guidelines, gatherings of more than 100 people are outlawed, while a 10pm to 6am curfew is still in place.
Similarly the ban on nightclubs is still effective.
Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe said enforcement of the Covid-19 regulations is likely to be heightened during the holidays.
“Covid-19 regulations still apply as we are under the second wave of infections. We should remain guided throughout the festive season and as Government, we are ready to deal with those that break the rules,” he said.
The festive season is usually synonymous with celebrations, travelling, shopping, family gatherings and vigils for church-goers.
It is a time when families get together and make merry.
In some families, members from the Diaspora would visit to share in the fun.
But this time, this would not be possible because of the inherent measures affecting travel.
Although borders were opened for the travelling public on December 1, the high cost of obtaining Covid-19 clearance certificates, which are pegged at between US$50 and US$85, is discouraging Zimbabweans living outside the country from coming home.
By now, local streets would have been taken over by flashy cars, especially those bearing South African registration numbers.
Job Tenderere, a cross-border transporter, said business was low.
“People are not travelling my brother. By this time, we should have witnessed a surge in business. This pandemic has greatly eroded our incomes,” Tenderere said.
Since few people are travelling, this will undoubtedly mean many families are going to engage in “virtual” Christmas get-togethers.
The ban on night clubs, casinos and public performances by live bands will result in families being consigned to their homes for the duration of the festivities.
Worship
Churches will also celebrate Christmas with a difference this year.
For the first time in 60 years, Assemblies of God Africa (Zaoga) founder Archbishop Ezekiel Guti will be without the large numbers of church congregants.
Overcome by emotions, Archbishop Guti could not comment on this year’s festivities and instead referred The Sunday Mail Society to one of his senior pastors.
“The archbishop is passionate about meeting his congregants during Christmas. The ban on gatherings has affected him so much. As a church, we are, however, going to abide by the set regulations,” the pastor, who requested anonymity, said.
The limit in numbers means some churches will forgo Holy Communion on Christmas Day, and night vigils have been effectively scrapped due to the curfew.
The Roman Catholic Church vicar-general Father Kennedy Muguti said Christmas will be unique this year.
“For the first time, we are not going to have the huge Christmas Vigil Mass, which usually marks the highlight of Christmas as per norm. It will be a different feeling altogether because as a priest, it is the congregation that makes you feel whole; they are our family so it will be a lonely Christmas this year.”
It is the same for Pentecostal Assemblies of Zimbabwe’s Reverend Never Muparutsa, who said the church will use social media platforms as pulpits instead.
However, some church leaders, among them City of God Apostolic Church priest Rodrick Chiriya, said the majority of their congregants, mostly those that are in rural areas, do not have access to virtual services.
“The majority of our congregants are based in the rural areas and do not have smartphones. The majority of those that have smartphones cannot afford the data to go digital,” Rev Muparutsa said.
But for Apostle Partson Machengete of the House of Refuge International Ministries, families would have ample time to bond under the new circumstances.
“In my view, this is the best time for families to come together, share, reflect and make merry.
“In a way, the restrictions can actually be a blessing in disguise,” Apostle Machengete said.
Forgotten
Some spiritual leaders opine that the new environment forces people to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas.
In a document titled “The Forgotten Meaning and Neglected Person of Christmas”, Pastor Grace Mae-Taruvinga argues it is wrong to associate Christmas with merrymaking and shopping.
Christmas, she argues, is now challenged by multicultural fragmentation, spiritual poverty and a disconnect from the human need to explain the existence and form of Christ.
“Over the years, people have fabricated a new meaning for Christmas, recasting spiritual schizophrenia as truth.
“Hitting the mall to buy more stuff is a pathetically carnal way to observe Christmas. We need to step out of that small, demeaning space to celebrate something bigger than the universe,” she wrote.
Sekuru Friday Chisanyu, a traditional healer and president of the Zimbabwe National Practitioners Association, said Zimbabweans need to change their mindset with regards to Christmas.
“As opposed to wining and dining, what is important is to save lives.
“This year’s Christmas is not as gloomy as what others would want to believe.
“In my case, I take this opportunity to attend to some of my clients who, for various reasons, cannot visit us during the other times. I will be teaching my patients about Covid-19,” he said.
Many believe there is reason to celebrate this year as stable prices have given consumers the much-needed and deserved relief.
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