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| Only through God’s grace!!! :: Submitted by -T Nkomo, Zimbabwe |
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It is five o clock am, “wake up
Vusa” cries his mother, in few moments later, the
house is teeming with activity as parents and children
brace themselves for a new day. Mother and father get
ready for work whilst Vusa and his young sister prepare
for school. As the six o’clock news bulletin on Spot
FM ends, everyone heads for the car and another day in
the life of Dube’s begins.
Just as the car pulls out of the
yard, Sibanda, cycling to the industries, “emanda”,
waves at the Dubes’, just then he overtakes Phiri who
is walking to Kelvin North Industrial Sites.
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The sun’s rays stream through the
cluster of Amarula and Acacia trees lined along the
streets or in the backyards of many houses. Dust fills
the air as hoards of people fill the narrow streets.
Besides, a line of girls, as if in a queue sweeps the
fronts of their yards, letting up a choke of dust.
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Cars, buses and lorries rumble
along the main roads leaving behind clouds of exhaust
fumes. School kids run along, cutting through the thick
dust and smoke. A car hoots and a bicycle bell rings in
the background. Voices of touts are heard shouting for
passengers –“Khami road town” they yell.
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| These are the sounds that signal
the dawn of each new day for the Bulawayo posse. They
signal the dawn of the reality of life in the streets of
Bulawayo. Be it Luveve road, Plumtree Road or Khami
Road, it is all the same. The roads are heavy with
traffic as cars, buses, trucks, and people make their
way to town or work in the industries.
On the way, talk of yesterday’s
news highlights or the weekend’s soccer results keep
all entertained. For many a good day would be one after
Highlanders FC has trounced one its rivals in the
Zimbabwe premier soccer league. Soon all arrive at their
stations, but back home, the maids have already started
working. Cleaning, washing and cooking, it is a routine,
it is a routine. Soon, as the clock strikes eight, they
relax, readying themselves for a popular AM chat on Spot
FM!
In town, the car parks fill up and
it is business as usual. There are fuel queues at the
garages, and an occasional queue at a supermarket as
people abandon their programs to get food for the
family.
Lunchtime, and most remove their
packed lunches while a selected few make their way to
popular eating places like Nando’s, Chicken Inn or
Grass Hut. ATM queues lengthen as some people take
advantage of the lunch hours to withdraw what little
money they have from the banks. Bearer’s cheques are
flashed around, with some calling them “burial cheques”.
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As the day progresses school
children mar the streets making their way to “Egodini”
emergency taxi and bus terminus rank, soon they
will be joined by their parents from work.
At five oclock, the city center is
hive of activity. People now race to the terminus.
Traffic jams are imminent as vehicles start leaving the
city. Touts are now heard at Lobengula street calling
for customers, “Nxa ungafuni yekela” (I don’t want
just drop it) yells a tout as he lashes out at customer
questioning the $1000 fare. |
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The sun beats heavily on the
eyes of all as they head for home. Tired and exhausted
from the day’s labour, “abemanda” (those from the
industries), trail the road sidewalks.
It is six oclock when they arrive
home, carrying their empty lunchtins, whether it is by
car, bicycle or foot or Kombi, all are tired and look
forward to a night of rest, but how can they when they
have so many stresses.
Vusa runs to his mother “could
you help me with my homework”, he cries. His young
sister leaps into her daddy’s lap “Daddy I want some
Ice cream, please buy me some”, “I will sweetheart,
wait till month end ” the father replies, knowing that
it is only through God’s grace that he will this
request.
It is dark outside, and the streets are deserted. Everyone is indoors having
supper. Soon, the night will be filled with the snares
of Bulawayo residents whilst their barking dogs keep
watch. |
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