A life of borrowing
BORROWING is part of life. What, however, differ are the reasons for borrowing. Called “kukumbira”, “kukwereta”, “kuboreka” or “kukwemba”, asking for favours from people is actually an art some people have perfected over the years to a point where it is somewhat difficult for targeted individuals to resist or fail to yield to the requests.
Mathew 7:7 reads: “Ask and it shall be given to you. Knock and the door shall be opened.”
There are some people who are so sweet-tongued that one can be forgiven for thinking they have an invisible force on their lips to sway the minds of the people they target in their favour.
In fact, these characters show great importunity such that one needs a heart of stone not to come to their rescue.
This cuts across ages and sexes. A good number of people find themselves asking for help so they can put food on the table for their children. No one can live without food. The sooner one adjusts to this reality, the better for their families, and the easier it is for them to stay away from stealing or prostitution to make ends meet.
Some characters, however, sometimes find themselves borrowing to look chic among their peers. They borrow things like cars, clothes and even household furniture to suit the armchair lifestyles they would have chosen for themselves.
Banks, employers, companies, friends, money lenders and, lately, sangomas have emerged as targets of people seeking to borrow.
That notwithstanding, challenges often arise when payback time arrives. Most people who borrow and go about
asking for favours often find it difficult to reimburse whatever they would have borrowed. Some will even beat you up for asking for whatever is due to you.
“My friend, I am getting annoyed by your incessant calls.
“I borrowed from you because I did not have the money, so when my circumstances change, I will certainly pay up,” some characters will tell you before banging the phone.
Others will accuse you of harbouring sinister motives whenever you ask for your “pound of flesh”.
“When I came asking for help, I honestly thought you were a brother. I am now surprised by your frequent visits to my house and, please, if you are after my wife and daughters, just come clean. Ungabva watojairira kumba kwangu kunge kutoilet here? I am left with no choice but to involve the police because haunyari,” they will
tell you in your face.
One friend of mine was reminded: “Are you aware that even big companies that are listed on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange are swimming in debt? Where do you think a grossly underpaid fellow of my ilk will get the money to pay up at such a short interval.
If I knew you were so impatient, I don’t think I would have dealt with you.”Weak lenders are sometimes bashed for asking for what is rightfully due to them.
All this, however, is certainly going to be a thing of the past given that some sangomas now send baboons to deal with tardy debtors. I do not subscribe to juju, but if this will help me recover the millions I am owed out there, so be it.
Feedback: rosenthal.mutakati @ zimpapers.co.zw