The ManicaPost
Moffat Mungazi
Post Reporter
“A JOURNEY of a thousand miles begins with a single step,” goes the adage borrowed from an old Chinese proverb.
And with the journey into 2022 only seven days old today, many are already girding their loins to set out on an expedition of what remains of the year.
While some are still reeling and recovering from the hangover of the festive season fiesta spanning the Christmas holiday into the new year, others have already rolled up their sleeves in readiness for the daily grind as they chase the fulfilment of dreams they put down as 2022 resolutions.
But just how did the crossover into the new year go down given that we are now living under the new normal occasioned by the need to adjust to the realities wrought by the Covid-19?
While we had over the years grown accustomed to a volcanic carnival erupting in our midst each time the clock struck 12 midnight on December 31, the celebrations were different this time around as night vigils and crossover parties were prohibited.
This was in compliance with the curfew times between 9pm and 6am under the Level Two national lockdown regulations which, among several other measures, are aimed at containing the spread of coronavirus.
As duty called, it was only natural and perfectly normal for The Manica Post to go out to capture the atmosphere, mood and emotions punctuating the festive season.
Without any shadow of doubt, the spirit of Christmas still lingered going into the new year as many seemed eager to sign off 2021 in style and get into 2022 with a bang.
Even early in the day on December 31, the merry-making was virtually palpable.
Civil servants, especially, were all smiles after having received their annual bonuses in United States dollars and well in time to bring them cheerful delight.
Mr Onward Mwarozva hailed his employer, the Government, for restoring the glamour of the festive season.
“I had something to celebrate about during Christmas and going into the new year, thanks the bonuses paid in US dollars. We enjoyed decent holidays and I spoiled my family as I had the means to. It was a memorable outing in Chibuwe as we converged at our rural home with my relatives for the festivities,” he said.
Mr Mwarozva added that he was putting part of his bonus to good use by investing in a poultry project.
“My plans for 2022 are big and have already set them in motion as I am keeping chickens for both meat and eggs at my residential property in Dreamhouse so as to increase my revenues streams. The idea is to enhance food and nutrition security for the family as well as increase my household’s livelihoods as l play my part in implementing National Development Strategy (NDS1),” he said.
The fervent prayer for Mr Mwarozva, however, is that Government gets to pay civil servants in US dollars in 2022.
He said the move will cushion them from the fluctuations that may affect the local currency’s value owing to various market forces.
While 2021 was a mixed bag for Ms Patricia Chitinha, a teacher in Chimanimani, she is hopeful of a brighter 2022.
She is looking forward to less Covid-19 induced disruptions to the learning year.
“Last year made our lives difficult as we grappled with the pandemic. It affected both the teachers and pupils and we had to constantly adjust. Delivering online lessons was a huge challenge, especially in rural schools as acquisition of the required gadgets, data and network connectivity were the major stumbling blocks.
“We have to continue prioritising health and safety by protecting each other from infection by religiously observing the health guidelines recommended by experts. Those eligible for vaccination should get the jab as this is for our own good. Let 2022 be the year the country attains herd immunity so we mitigate the impact of the pandemic,” said Ms Chitinha.
For local businessman Mr Peter Makadzange, there was no better way to reflect on the 2021 journey and thanking his clientele for their patronage by throwing a bash for them.
He hosted seasoned musician Hosiah “Kwachu-kwachu” Chipanga and the fast-rising Simbarashe “Hungwe” Muchita at his outlet at Rowa Business Centre along the Mutare-Chimanimani highway.
“This past year was fruitful for us on many fronts. After enjoying brisk business at Rowa, we saw it prudent to celebrate our growth with the local community and thank them for their continued support throughout the year. We had a gig free of charge. Our own local artistes Chipanga and Muchita entertained the multitudes,” said Mr Makadzange.
The show started in the morning and finished just before dusk fell to allow people to return to their homes safely and in time to beat the curfew hours.
Mr Makadzange expressed his desire to promote home-grown artistes by booking them for shows.
He said he will go all out to throw his weight behind local musicians and support them in the drive to tell the Manicaland story through song while marketing the province as a tourism destination of choice.
A budget has already been drawn up and set aside for that purpose, added Mr Makadzange.
Following last year’s good harvest, academic Dr Pauline Chiripanhura is keen to get serious about farming in 2022.
The DJ belted out tunes
“After my husband’s enterprise at our rural home in Murare Village proved that farming is a strategic and profitable business, we are going to go another level up. We harvested enough for our subsistence and even had surplus for the market.
“We took up Pfumvudza and it paid off for us.
“As our plans to go commercial take off, we have already sunk a borehole and equipped it with storage tanks so as to have a reliable source of water. We have also started livestock production and are hoping that the heavens will be generous with the rains again so we work the land for another bumper harvest. Our ultimate goal is to increase production, productivity and profitability,” said Dr Chiripanhura.
Football enthusiasts in Manicaland are anticipating better fortunes for the province’s teams on the pitch.
“With the game now back at Sakubva Stadium, our weekends will never be the same again. This will all be spiced up by the Mutare Derby as our resident teams Manica Diamonds and Tenax square off. We will go out in our numbers for their home games and play our role as the 12th man on the terraces to ensure that both teams stay on top in the Premiership,” said Thomas Gwara of Sakubva.
Also topping his football wish list is that another local team earns promotion into the elite league so that the province will boast three teams playing in the top-tier division.
As the people of Manicaland go about their business in their different and various endeavours, hope abounds that every step of the way in 2022 will be prosperous.
