The Sunday Mail
Today, Zimbabweans join the rest of the world in celebrating Christmas. Our Correspondent WALLACE RUZVIDZO spoke to some citizens to find out how they will be spending their day.
Dr John Basera (Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Permanent Secretary)
Well, for me and my team in the ministry, it will be “Christmas in the fields”. At this time of the year, we need to be close to our farmers, supporting them with the much-needed technical backstopping. But Christmas Day is also an opportunity to reflect and take stock of progress and the journey travelled thus far towards Vision 2030, agriculturally. It is time to reset and recharge, as we gear up for 2023. As a team, we have agreed on a creed and theme: Going for Growth (G4G-2023). It’s a year of promoting more inclusive growth, leaving no one, no place and no demography behind. We are projecting growth in all sub-sectors: livestock, maize, tobacco, oil seeds, small stock and dairy, among others.
Richard Mahomva (Director for International Communication Services in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services)
I take the entire festive period to read books that I buy during the course of the year. During this period, I am usually at the peak of my writing zone. So, this time around, I will take the time to conclude a co-edited book project set to be launched next year. So, this is my time to intimately play with letters!
Cde Tendai Chirau (ZANU PF Deputy Secretary for National Security)
I will be spending time with my family in the rural areas and also see how my parents and elders are doing generally, and in terms of agriculture. Christmas time is best spent with family. The year 2023 will be great, and we will keep pushing and implementing Government programmes. As a ruling party, our aim is to see more programmes being provided for the vulnerable people, so that no one and no place is left behind.
Mr Mwayiwayo Polepole (Malawi Ambassador to Zimbabwe)
As we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ in my heart and spiritual life, there are a number of plans set aside already. This is also time to enjoy with the family, reconnecting and appreciating each member of the family. It started with celebration at my church, when we enjoyed singing Christmas carols. As a family, we have been practising and we performed at the church. We sang the famous Christmas carol “Feliz Navidad”. We will take time to visit some tourist places such as Chinhoyi Caves, the Balancing Rocks and, indeed, the Great Zimbabwe. There are also some functions that will be attended to, including ANOT (A Night of Thanksgiving), Egyptian Evening Carols and family dinners within and outside Harare. Time permitting, we will travel back home to Malawi to join the extended family and enjoy Malawi rice, chambo (tilapia fish) and the delicious groundnuts under the African Skies of the Warm Heart of Africa – Malawi. We will also take time to cheer some underprivileged people so that they can have a memorable Christmas. Of course, at the height of Christmas, there will be the cutting of a cake that will have the inscription “Happy Birthday Jesus”.
Mr Tamer Almassri (Palestine Ambassador to Zimbabwe)
Merry Christmas everyone in Zimbabwe! Remember Christ was a Palestinian refugee, who was the founding figure of Christianity, and a beloved prophet for Muslims. Jesus was born in a little town of Bethlehem in occupied Palestine. Every year, Christians throng the city to celebrate this holy day. It is unfortunate that due to the Israeli apartheid occupation, Palestinian Christians in the Gaza Strip and others who hope to celebrate Christmas each year and reunite with their families are restricted and prevented to take part in the occasion.
Palestine is unique because it is a holy land. Interestingly, the birth of Jesus is celebrated three times a year in Bethlehem, in accordance with the calendars of the three different churches followed by local Christians.
While the churches that follow the Western timetable – Catholics and Protestants – celebrate on December 25, the Eastern Orthodox churches remember the birth of Christ two weeks later, on January 7. On the other hand, the Armenian church, which is one of three co-administrators of the Church of Nativity, wait until January 19 to hold Christmas mass. We wish the Government and people of Zimbabwe a merry Christmas and a prosperous 2023.
Carol Tawananyasha Mahanya (Grade Six learner)
I am 10 years old. I am looking forward to this year’s Christmas holiday. I will attend a church service in the morning at our local church. After the church service, I expect my parents to take me to a braai centre, together with my sisters. We will have chicken, pork, sausages, salads and cool drinks.
We will then drive to Pamvura Dam for boat cruising and fishing. I am looking forward to an adventurous Christmas Day.
Lucky Chinama (Hatfield resident)
My brother, this Christmas is a wonderful one for me, firstly, because I am alive and well and, secondly, because Covid-19 seems to be behind us now. This Christmas is totally different from last year’s and all glory be to God, especially for the preservation of lives. I will spend the day with family and friends, and just hoping next year will be even better.
