Reflections on the stolen Christmas

NDABA NKOMO
Correspondent | Tuesday December 7, 2010 00:00

 

Some drove to their farms and hosted big family gatherings, sharing good memories of the year. Others visited the most picturesque parts of the country, such as the Eastern Highlands.

Because some of these areas are mountainous and evergreen, they provide the most beautiful contrast to the verdant valleys and Zimbabwe's highest peak Mt Inyangani.

A trip to the majestic Victoria Falls was still affordable back in the day. From the Elephant Hills Resort and The Kingdom at Victoria Falls Hotel, the mighty falls were both audible and visible. 

Children would play while adults work the slots at the popular casino at The Kingdom. Further west, Lake Kariba would provide the best sundowners and boat cruises any leisure traveller can dream of. From the Spurwing Island, I remember the cold winds blowing across the lake as we rested by the shore.

I was no Safari and game drive boy but the Hwange Safari Lodge with its addictive bush braais was the place to be. In the midst of nowhere lies a hotel, which provides world-class service. Those were the days when Christmas time was memorable for Zimbabweans. Those who could not afford holiday trips held feasts in their homes.

I recall vividly the blaring sounds of Soul Brothers, Brenda Fassie and Kwaito in the townships. We would all put on new clothes and show off what our parents got for us.

The favourite meal was 'Inkukhu yeSintu' - Setswana chicken and rice. Those were probably the best days of my life and many of my brothers back home and overseas. As years went past by, no-one saw the future coming.

Today my beloved country remains a pot of mixed blessings. There are the atrociously rich and those languishing below the food chain.

Zimbabweans in Botswana and South Africa will make an effort to go home this festive season and join their families because they are close by. 

The sad reality is that for some it will be catastrophic to reveal the humiliating things they do to earn a living.

Some married women will not tell their tales of their loitering's in the streets of Gaborone West looking for 'clients' to afford the little ones back home a decent life and a good Christmas.

The anguish of doing piece jobs and difficulties in payments are hidden in men's chests as they face their beloved ones. In honesty, facing family is a bittersweet moment for many Zimbabwean economic refugees going back home.

In their hearts is a painful story of their lives back in their places of 'rest' and the beauty of seeing family after such a long time.

The trend in most parts of the world is that, Zimbabweans become 'friends' in order to survive the agony of being away from home.

They do not have the luxury of visiting funerals of beloved ones, weddings of friends and relatives, moments that make this life what it is including Christmas with family.

It is never easy to fit in any community if you are an outsider unless you have rare skills, which make you indispensable. Even if this may be the case, there is always the sad reality of being called all sort of names.

Last week, I was at an SAT event at BDF, my South African counterparts spoke about the love for their country and how proud they are of their nationality.

They spoke of plans for this Christmas and just how special it will be. I swallowed with anger thinking about what my countrymen have become - the laughing stock of the entire globe.

Had we known then what we know now, we could have had twice the fun to make up for the trying times ahead. A friend of mine called Mandlenkosi Moyo lost his mother during the peak of the Zimbabwean crisis in early 2000 when he had just landed in the UK and found a job.

Going home to bury his mother could have meant losing opportunities to provide for his family.

Yet going back to pay his last respects to his mother was the nobler of the two options. But why should we make such difficult choices in life?

One day, may be one day Zimbabweans will find their way back home a happy lot. After all there is no place like home. Merry Christmas my fellow Zimbabweans.