“We are shopping early, to avoid being caught up in the last minute rush,” said Yolanda Gumbo, one of the festive season fanatics.
Clothing shops are making a killing as people are busy buying themselves and loved ones new clothes as gifts.
“I love this festive season in Zimbabwe because it brings me much business as customers scramble to buy clothes and presents for Christmas,” said Yan Yung, a Chinese businessman.
“It’s not that we have money, but Christmas comes only once a year, so we have got to enjoy with our families, putting aside our past stresses due to financial and other challenges throughout the year,” said Tinashe Mugumba pushing a full trolley of groceries to his waiting vehicle close to OK Supermarket on First Street in the capital.
“This is the time to make profits and we are so happy that the people are coming in their numbers to buy groceries,” said an OK supermarket manager in the city.
While some have decided to loosen their pockets, others are cautious, saying the year was bad moneywise and they need to save the little that they have for next year’s school fees.
Zimbabwe has a recent history of dark festive seasons, with many people hardly able to put a meal on the table as a result of the bitter economic environment. The millions forced to seek work in neighbouring countries traditionally flock home to celebrate Christmas with their families.
Thanks to the formation of the Government of National Unity, most workers, including civil servants, now have disposable income enabling them to travel for holidays – something that was impossible in the dark days of 2000 – 2009.
Post published in: News