The Sunday Mail
Leroy Dzenga
CHRISTMAS Day is by design a period of gluttony and consumptive excesses. This is where families break the proverbial bread in reflection of the year gone by.
Some will be celebrating triumphs, while others will be eulogising over difficult moments they endured.
Whatever the odds, it is almost a guarantee that libations will be poured and steak will be charred within edible limits.
Money will be spent, and as has been the case over the years, others will forget January.
Historically, January has claimed scalps of those who fail to plan and set aside funds to manage the weight of a new year, which, among other things, includes rent, school fees and new uniforms.
As is the case, nuggets of wisdom have started trickling from social media, where people are urging each other to manage their finances during the spending period.
Entrepreneur Mr Tinashe Mutarisi, who commands a 270 000-strong following on Facebook, urged his followers to try and save money during the holidays.
“Hi guys, this Christmas, let us not overspend, we have no one else but ourselves to impress. Ngatisiyanei nezvakawanda (Let us try to save).
“ Let’s just create memories with our loved ones,” said Mr Mutarisi. His post attracted close to 7 000 likes and 1 000 comments.
Mr Mutarisi’s views are not isolated, as even consumer protection authorities are concerned.
Consumer Protection Commission chairperson Dr Mthokozisi Nkosi issued a warning that the hectic Christmas spending period brings a lot of trickery.
“This is that time of the year when most businesses want to maximise their returns by any means necessary. Deceptive promotional campaigns are rampant,” said Dr Nkosi.
He said consumers should exercise extreme caution when making purchases and exercise restraint.
“There is life after the holidays. Avoid impulse buying. Where consumers feel it’s absolutely necessary to make a purchase, we encourage them to shop around, bargain, exercise care and demand their rights,” he said.
Christmas is in itself a billion-dollar industry, according to a recent study by World Remit.
On Christmas spending, households across the world go beyond their monthly income spending for that single day.
Across the world, households spend about 156 percent of their monthly incomes during the period. Zimbabwe is among the highest spending, according to the report.
The study showed that on average, Zimbabwean families spend $208,70 on Christmas Day. This accounts for 266 percent of the average monthly household income.
Of the $208, more than $68 goes to Christmas food; over $95 is dedicated to Christmas decorations; and Christmas gifts account for the remaining $45.
Besides the spending, there are also behavioural excesses which emerge during the festive holidays.
On December 16, Zimbabwe Republic Police commissioner-general Godwin Matanga released a statement in which he said the holiday period is characterised by fatal and serious road accidents, while criminal acts, and alcohol and drug abuse cases are rampant.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police will, therefore, deploy adequately to ensure police officers are visible so that peace prevails in communities, on the roads, public gatherings and any other place where the public has access.
“I have directed officers commanding police provinces to ensure sufficient visibility is maintained in communities and on the country’s roads.”
In 2021, at least 77 people were killed in 1,295 road traffic accidents countrywide. During the same period in 2020, there were 1,216 accidents and 66 deaths recorded.
As of Friday, there had been several fatal accidents recorded during the week and all hope is that such calamities will stop.
Zimbabweans refer to spending Christmas as “kutamba Christmas”, a phrase that implies December 25 is all about dancing and merrymaking.
As activities that qualify a well-spent Christmas are already underway, the prospect of tomorrow should remain alive.
Therefore, by all means dance but forget not January.
