The Sunday Mail
Runonzi rudooo,
Ndiro rudooo-o-o,
Haruneyi neganda rako
Haruneyi nerudzi rwako,
Haruneyi nekupfeka kwako
Runonzi rudo. . .
***
So go the lyrics to Pah Chihera’s hit song “Runonzi Rudo”.
The composition is so engrossing and has become an anthem in the realm of love.
And in this realm resides Mr Confidencee Maruza, a 25-year-old vendor in Highfield, Harare; and Miss Ariadne Birth, a 19-year-old from Germany.
The two got to know each other in 2011 while discussing herbal treatment on social networking site Facebook.
Their friendly exchanges soon blossomed into beautiful petals of love that saw Miss Birth abandon her Germany base to spend some quality time with Mr Maruza in Highfield.
She visited Zimbabwe in August 2015 to spend a month with her man.
The couple was spotted at Mr Maruza’s market stall at Machipisa Shopping Centre on numerous occasions. They caught the attention of many people as they would shuttle between their home and the shopping centre on a daily basis.
“We were in the same group (on Facebook). At first, we spoke about herbs but grew closer over time. One thing led to another,” Mr Maruza told this publication when contacted for comment.
“We have been in love since then, our love is growing stronger by the day. I had never imagined this but I came to realise just how much she loves me.”
Mr Maruza was born and raised in Wedza, only coming to the capital in 2009 to live with his elder sister.
Selling flip-flops and second-hand clothes has been his source of income ever since.
During her stay in Zimbabwe, Miss Birth loved the local diet — sadza, covo and all.
“She would wake up early in the morning to clean the house, just like any other woman here would. She will be back in Zimbabwe in March 2016,” Mr Maruza proudly narrated.
Vendors at Machipisa corroborated the story.
“The two were always together. She is very friendly, though she was naturally shy when she first came here,” says a vendor only identified as “Soko”.
The two love birds seem to believe that they are a match made in Heaven, but Miss Birth’s parents think otherwise.
“They (her parents) have often said it’s improper for us to get married as we are from different cultures and backgrounds. My parents do not have a problem with that, though. We love each, that’s all that matters,” says Mr Maruza.
“Ariadne is a down-to-earth person, humble and this has made me feel comfortable. I do not pretend to be someone I am not when we are together. Though she is far away, I will never cheat on her.”
He however said his sweetheart had declined to comment. Questions that were sent to her by this publication had not been responded to by last night. Mr Maruza sees marriage on the horizon, and offspring too.
Runonzi rudo.
