Last-minute Christmas shoppers defy downpour

Midday rains that drenched parts of Bulawayo’s central business district — the heartbeat of the city’s shopping life — could not dampen the festive spirit as thousands of shoppers braved the downpours to make last-minute Christmas shopping.

The city pulsed with energy as shoppers thronged banking halls, supermarkets, beauty salons and informal trading spots, determined to tick off their festive shopping lists before Christmas Day.

In separate interviews, vendors and small-scale entrepreneurs said the rains did little to deter business, with most reporting brisk trade.

Long queues snaked outside banks as people huddled under building verandas, shielding themselves from the rain while waiting to withdraw cash for festive expenses.

Money transfer agencies were equally overwhelmed, with customers collecting remittances sent by relatives in the diaspora.

Ms Ntombi Dube, who was waiting in the queue at a money transfer outlet, said she feared missing out on quality fresh produce at the markets as the queues crawled.

“I love my vegetables fresh, but at the rate the queue is moving, I might be forced to buy sub-standard cabbages, green peppers and lettuce,” she said.

The afternoon showers also forced pedestrians onto pavements while motorists cautiously manoeuvred through waterlogged streets, all in a race to reach supermarkets, vending stalls and shopping malls before the close of business on Christmas Eve.

For hairdressers, the festive season brought both exhaustion and opportunity. Ms Tendai Lambika said her salon had been fully booked since morning.

“I advertise my services on social media, so most of the people contacting me are first-time customers who are in a hurry to leave for their rural homes. On a normal day, I serve about two clients, but today I have barely rested,” she said.

Ms Lambika said some of her regular clients had also booked for later in the day.

Along Fifth Avenue — one of the city’s busiest vending corridors — motorists attempting to drive through were forced to retreat as human traffic took over the street.

“Normally, we leave space for vehicles, but today every inch is occupied. This is our last chance to make a killing before Christmas,” said vendor Mr Amon Mvula.

At Entumbane and Renkini bus termini, the festive rush was in full swing as travellers loaded beds, groceries, building materials and even scotch carts onto buses and trucks bound for rural destinations.

A supermarket strategically located near Entumbane Bus Terminus was a hive of activity, serving passengers travelling to Binga, Tsholotsho, Insuza, Lupane and Jotsholo.

Lupane-bound traveller Mrs Angela Mlambo said she bought all her groceries at Entumbane to avoid extra transport costs.

“I only need US$1 to pay a pushcart operator to take my groceries to the bus, which is less than 400 metres away,” she said. However, Mrs Mlambo expressed disappointment over fare hikes.

“A trip that normally costs US$10 is now US$15. I understand the demand, but it’s disappointing that bus operators choose to cash in during the holidays,” she said.

Adding to the chaos, some unscrupulous truck owners temporarily converted their vehicles into passenger carriers to capitalise on the last-minute rush. To protect travellers from the rain along routes such as Insuza, Lupane and Jotsholo, truck owners fastened canvases over open trucks, with desperate passengers opting for the risky alternative.

The festive season traditionally draws large volumes of travellers from across the country, including diasporans from South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, the United Kingdom and the United States, all eager to reunite with family in rural homes.

The hustle and bustle at Bulawayo’s bus termini reflected the excitement, urgency and determination of travellers determined to be home for Christmas.

While most businesses — both formal and informal — enjoyed booming trade, the same could not be said for car wash operators dotted around the city.

“Rain is bad for our business. Clients want shiny, polished cars, and that’s impossible when it’s raining. We do well when it’s hot and sunny,” said a car wash crew member operating near the Chronicle building. *_-Chronicle_*