The Sunday Mail
“It will be a thriller, chiller and killer, when I meet the gorilla in Manila.”
This rhyming came from boxing legend Muhammad Ali ahead of the “Thriller in Manila,” the third and final boxing match between him and Joe “smoking Joe” Frazier.
The much-hyped bout lived to its top billing and is today ranked as one of the best in boxing history.
Just like the excited 27 000 fans in the sold-out indoor arena in Manila, Philippines, and the millions of people throughout the world who watched the fight via closed circuit television, millions of Zimbabweans throughout the country experienced their own “thrills” as they celebrated the eagerly awaited 2015 with food, music and drink.
Celebrating New Year’s Day is one of the oldest and most exciting customs around the world.
As the old year ground to a halt, the new year was greeted with jubilation, elation and euphoria.
The Sunday Mail joined Harare residents in the festivities that lasted well into mid-morning.
As has become the norm, the Africa Unity Square was once again the main centre of attraction in the capital’s Central Business District.
Thousands of people witnessed the impressive, spectacular and breathtaking fireworks display which pierced into the sky from the balcony of the Meikles Hotel garden roof.
Despite the light drizzle on the last day of 2014, a large crowd had already gathered around the hotel as early as 10pm.
People from all races, economic and social backgrounds jostled to occupy positions from which the most spectacular views of the fireworks could be viewed.
By 11pm, the biggest multi-racial gathering outside of the Harare International Festival of the Arts (Hifa) had assembled.
As the eagerly awaited new year approached, some couples, especially the youthful ones, seized the opportunity to showcase public affection.
Selecting a dimly-lit part of the square, far from the “partying crowd,” a youthful couple openly groped and kissed intimately.
The often drunk commuter omnibus touts who are well known to react angrily to such kind of acts in public, were nowhere near the square that night.
Maybe they were engaging themselves with their own shenanigans elsewhere.
Of interest was the composition of the crowd, which was clearly a mixed bag.
From the families, vagrants, hooligans, drunkards to the infamous Avenues area prostitutes, they were all in attendance and seemingly enjoying the proceedings.
Anxiety gripped those in attendance as the clock chimed towards midnight. And then the clock struck midnight.
The first volley of fireworks display triggered a mini-stampede as people jostled for positions where they could get a perfect view.
Video cameras rolled as clicks from photographic cameras could be heard as individuals recorded the impressive fireworks display.
Each and every firework delivery was greeted by wild cheers of approval from the clearly ecstatic crowd.
The beautiful displays illuminated the sky, producing coloured lights, a stream of sparks and loud noises.
Immediately after the conclusion of the fireworks display, Jason Moyo Avenue was turned into a drag racing pad as speed demons engaged themselves in unsanctioned vehicle races.
Cheered and urged on by a clearly intoxicated group of youngsters, the racing team drove dangerously with some of their members hanging precariously from car bonnets and windows.
The nauseating smell of burning vehicle tyres engulfed the environs.
Some few metres down the road, a couple that had parked their car in the middle of the road could be seen dancing to Simon Chimbetu’s new year anthem, “Tenda”.
As the elderly found their way home, the “young and the restless” headed towards the Longcheng Plaza where food was in abundance and drinks flowed freely.
Thousands of youthful revellers squeezed themselves into the available space in the upmarket mall’s three nightclubs.
Entry charges into the nightclubs ranged between $5 and $10.
These unusually high charges, however, failed to deter the merrymakers who went on to turn the dance floors into a dustbin of beer cans and a pool of sweat.
As others were sweating it out in the crowded nightclubs, a section of the revellers simply danced to music blaring from their car radios.
Some dance routines exhibited by the revellers would have made acclaimed dancers such as Beverly Sibanda, better known as Bev, green with envy.
Security details at the upmarket shopping mall had a busy night as they often had to carry beer drinkers who would have passed out after taking one too many to a safer place.
Dancehall artistes Tocky Vibes and Killer T, among others, entertained their multitudes of fans in an open-air venue at the shopping mall.
Across town, and with the morning clock ticking in Hatfield, families and individuals braved the rains and enjoyed their food and drink at Mega 2.
Along the Bulawayo highway, a family-friendly joint was filled to the brim as sungura king Alick Macheso gave his all at Ice and Fire Pamuzinda, leaving thousands of those in attendance with sore feet after dancing the night away.
Christians were not to be outdone, they also welcomed the new year in style as they sang and danced for the Lord.
“New Year is a time of renewed hope in Christ. I feel like I am starting all over again, waking up to a new day without the old problems,” Joseph Mwandiambira, who was attending New Year’s Day celebrations at the Harare Showgrounds said.
After delivering a new year’s sermon from 1 Samuel 7 verse 12, Pastor Amos Nkomani of the Holy Spirit Revival Church concluded his preaching by highlighting an inspirational saying: “Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbours and let every new year find you a better man.”
Although the way people celebrate the coming of the new year is a subject of debate, Zimbabweans from all walks of life deservedly came together and welcomed the new year.
After all, new year’s festivities, just like the Christmas celebrations, come only once in a year.
