Just stop burdening others!
THE moment Tawanda left for the supermarket, his workmates reached for their lunch boxes and ate their food as fast as they could to ensure they were done before his return.
One could be forgiven for thinking they were in an eating competition.
In fact, they were battling to ensure every morsel of food they had went towards nourishing their own bodies and souls.
“We have no option but to do this. This bloke will never see anyone eating anything and not ask for a bite.
“What boggles the mind is that he hardly ever has anything to offer to anyone, except ask for help. Zvimwe zvinozonyaya mhani,” one of Tawanda’s peers said, as others nodded in agreement.
No matter the huge choruses of disapproval and prospects of one or two people telling them off, such people barely ever change.
They often defend themselves by pleading poverty.
However, it makes one wonder as to whether knowing one another is a crime or a little cross one has to take to the grave.
Called “parasites”, “sponges”, “ticks”, “weeds” or “zviwiravanhu”, the world is awash with such people who literally can never stand on their own.
They pretend to be loving and caring, yet they will never do anything that does not benefit them.
Such people suffer from a “what’s in it for me” syndrome.
They cut across various sectors and know no age group.
Surprisingly, these sponges always find their way to occasions where they meet hordes of people and spoil their fun.
It is not unusual to walk into a bar intending to unwind after a hard working week, only to be greeted by a parasite eager to bum a cigarette or squeeze a pint or two from you.
To their credit, people who rely on sponging from others are good at research. They will tell you so many things about your family and neighbourhood that you can spend the whole day listening to them.
It can be worse if you are in the company of a friend because you will not be afforded the chance to discuss anything the moment a parasite arrives.
“I was about to leave this place but something kept me here and I am so lucky to have met you after a very long time. I am sure you won’t mind buying me a beer because I am very low on cash these days,” the blokes will tell you before spending the whole drinking session telling you about people you have nothing to do with.
These people hardly ever accept one beer as they will always remind you that an adversary is never defeated with one strike of the knobkerrie (murume haarohwe netsvimbo imwe).
The issue of sponges and parasites is not confined to bars and places of merriment.
There are days when one naturally wants to be alone to meditate or plan, but such quiet moments are interrupted by the people who find joy in disturbing others.
Parasites and sponges unusually pay unannounced visits at people’s workplaces to assess whether one is still around, collect latest information and ask for money to buy lunch and the fare to return to the ghetto.
“Babamudiki ndanga ndichingopfuura ndikati rega ndione mufana wami wechidhaka timbokurukura. Ndabva ndangoziva futi kuti haungandishaire lunch kana cherank mufana,” the blokes will tell you straight in the face.
It can be worse if you drive. Parasites and sponges will come for a lift each day of the week and make sure they do not contribute anything towards fuel.
They will always remind you how lucky they are to associate with someone who has a car like you and how hard they keep praying for you to excel.
Such characters never miss a funeral yet they contribute nothing towards the coffin and food.
All they do is look for mistakes, fine people and splurge on alcohol.
Gentle reader, life is good as people mix and mingle freely, but it can be more fun if everyone ensured they do not burden others.