The Sunday Mail
Tendai Chara —
THE Chigumiras of Unit P Seke, Chitungwiza, today have every reason to be merry. For the past 22 years, they had to endure Christmas without the head of their family.
Mr Rueben Chigumira was serving jail time for armed robbery and illegal possession of firearms. Although the family would religiously pay him a visit every Christmas Day, the time was never enough for them to sit down with him and share their hopes for the New Year.
Following his release from prison last week, the family was naturally upbeat about the prospects of enjoying Christmas with him this year.
Last week, The Sunday Mail Extra paid the Chigumiras a visit and the blissful couple spoke about their intention to host “the mother of all Christmas parties.”
“It has been long before we gathered as a family to celebrate Christmas. When he was in jail we could only bring him food and were not given the opportunity to share with him our joys and troubles. We now have the opportunity and we are going to make hay whilst the sun is still shining,” said Mrs Rebecca Chigumira.
She recounted how her husband craved for sour milk, orange drink and peanut butter during Christmas time in prison.
“In prison these basic foodstuffs are precious. Every Christmas, we would bring these to him and he would appreciate them. He no longer has cravings for these so we are going to have a cake and special salads,” she said.
Mr Chigumira chipped in, “I am going to dance with my wife and show the world that we are truly in love. After 22 years apart, we have a lot to catch up on. I missed dancing and I will show those in attendance how a loved-up couple should dance,” a clearly love-smitten Mr Chigumira said.
Mrs Chigumira said a lot of surprises await her husband.
“We have a lot of surprises lined up for him. I hope he is not going to collapse with shock. I waited for 22 years for this occasion and I am going to make the most of it,” Mrs Chigumira said.
Mr Chigumira said Christmas time in jail was a nightmare for him.
“They would bring food but we were not allowed to talk for long. It was painful to watch her go before we discussed anything,” said Mr Chigumira.
When Mr Chigumira started serving time in prison, cellphones and commuter omnibuses were yet to be introduced in the country.
“My daughter will teach me how to use this phone when she gets here from South Africa.
“When I went to jail, it was illegal to operate a commuter omnibus and cellphones were yet to be introduced. Harare is now all potholed and these bank queues l see were foreign back then.”
“I guess I will have to cope with this kind of life but I have to enjoy my Christmas first,” Mr Chigumira said.
