The Sunday Mail
Rosenthal Mutakati
MANY moons ago, when I had just entered the world of courtship and was searching for a beautiful, understanding and sweet woman to spend the rest of my life with, I hated the rainy season with a passion.
Visits to a lover’s hood was something we treasured.
One made sure he was dressed in his best apparel to impress.
There were experts in writing love letters and fashion advisors who often told you what not to wear. We respected these because we did not want to lose the lass.
“Usapfeke semudhumeni. Rova kabhachi ubude bhobho,” the advisers would tell you, though in nine times out of 10 they would also tell the targeted girl that she was being lured with borrowed clothes.
We called the visits “kutaimira”, “dziso”, “kuzvimoko”, “kumabhebhi”, “kumalapusvusvu”, “kumalaptilatila”, “kuzvikwenzi” or “ku see-me time.”
The terms were so many and varied depending on situations, settings and the community.
No one wanted it to rain when visiting a lover because people would not see the value of the clothes one would be wearing.
At times you would be forced to put on a raincoat or jersey which would camouflage the new clothes.
“Anochena (he dresses well)” and “anofitwa (clothes fit him well” are the only compliments we would be dying for.
Rains dampened the mood and would — in our minds — puncture the tubes of fashion consciousness we wanted the world to think we possessed.
Not that we did not appreciate that Zimbabwe’s agro-based economy needed the rains to tick.
Having been born and bred in the ghetto where we grew our own vegetables, among various other food items, I knew how water was important, but I was hurt beyond measure whenever the heavens wept.
In one isolated incident, while donning a relatively new suit I had borrowed from a friend to look chic during a visit to the apple of my eye, one bloke came speeding in his vehicle and splashed me with dirty water.
I was hurt!
Such were the challenges we encountered on the road to become men. We hated what gives life.
Rains are critical for the production of crops and success of various economic sectors, but like fire, gentle reader, they can be a good and a bad master.
The wet seasons are associated with plenty and growth, but that is not all.
There is disaster in the rainy season as the risk of drowning, injuries, disease outbreaks and destruction to property are high.
According to experts, the rainy season brings a lot of fun, greenery, and a cool climate with it. However, it also invites a lot of health disorders.
“… you should be aware of certain quick remedies to cope with illnesses associated with the rainy season. Parents of young children need to be extra-careful during the rainy season to prevent such disorders. People should always take necessary precautions. The most common illness is related to respiratory system. Also, water and food-borne diseases cannot be overlooked,” notes one expert.
The experts say cold and flu are common illnesses found in the rainy season and this is usually due to fluctuation in temperature.
“If you are a student, a working citizen or a mom, you need to protect yourself from these illnesses. When rain starts pouring in, you first look for a shelter and try to save yourself from getting drenched. However, a shelter can save you from getting wet in rain but it will not protect you from catching any kind of infection. This is especially when your immune system is very low.”
Below are things not to do during the rainy season
- Do not wade in the accumulated water due to flooding.
- Do not walk around in the rain with an umbrella, especially when there’s thunder and lightning.
- Do not go hiking, especially in mountainous areas where a possible landslide can occur.
- Do not drink rainwater especially if you are not sure where it came from. There are many factors that could contribute to making “rain” water unsafe. Stick to clean and safe water.
- Do not be unprepared. One of the things that make people sick is because they are not prepared even with the knowledge that we are already within the rainy months. Bringing an umbrella or a raincoat will do wonders. At the same time, bringing along a jacket to keep yourself warm.
More often than not, the change of weather and temperature is one of the reasons why some people go down with a fever.
Gentle reader, there is also great temptation among travellers to want to cross flooded rivers just to get to the next destination on time, lets avoid this to stay alive.
Inotambika mughetto.
