Winter can be bitter

LITTLE Jonny, who was resplendent in his school uniform with a matching satchel on his back, stood at an improvised bus stop in Kambuzuma, Harare, during morning peak hour showing signs of distress.

Though he pretended to be fine, it was clear the Grade Four learner was on the receiving end of the unforgiving chilly weather.

Jonny had developed goose pimples, teary eyes and a runny nose.

“Some parents will kill their children because they want to show off by sending them to multi-racial schools. Ngakadzidze muno murukisheni sevamwe, kanonotifira apo,” one acid-tongued old man shouted, triggering debate at the bus stop.

“Maybe the father has a second wife and the child’s mother is out to fix him. This weather is blind to that and children must simply learn near their homes. By the time he arrives at school, he will be already tired,” quipped another.

Unmoved by the discussion, Jonny remained in the queue and declared his intention to become an engineer.

It took the unusual kindness of a rank marshal to ensure the learner got a place in the next available kombi.

Welcome to the winter season, whose effects are as universal as death.

It is even worse this year for Zimbabwe and other countries in the region.

Weather experts have since warned of a cold front to move across the country, with Bulawayo expected to record a low of 6 degrees Celsius.

The cold weather is expected to become more severe in the coming weeks.

Gentle reader, people tend to spend more on energy during the cold season to heat water and or use heaters.

This is the time of the year when people generally miss appointments on account of weather.

“Good morning, my brother. I am sorry I cannot make it today because I have an ailing brother who needs to be taken to hospital promptly. Let’s reschedule the meeting to another time,” are the type of calls one is likely to get.

Some people, however, will simply not pitch up.

Cold seasons are particularly difficult for bosses at workplaces because they spend nearly 90 percent of their time moving around or doing the work themselves due to absenteeism.

There are people who take advantage of medical conditions to miss critical duties, yet they still expect to be paid.

“I can’t make it today. When it’s cold like this I have challenges with my operation. It gets itchy and I was advised by the doctors to stay in bed,” some people will tell you, only to meet them at places of merriment.

There are also some characters that never bath during the cold season.

They often resort to cat-licking, which boarding school learners refer to as “kudzura”, “kujamba bhavhu” or “water-less bath”.

This kind of bathing only takes care of the eyes and armpits and leaves the rest to God.

The cold weather is particularly bad for farmers in both crop and animal husbandry.

Many lose crops due to frost bite, while animals that are exposed to the cold usually die. Chicken farmers face the same challenges. Machinery and vehicles also need protection.

Batteries have to be fully charged and oils checked.

Keep warm, good people, but it is worth remembering that braziers are deadly in poorly ventilated rooms because they produce carbon monoxide, which is fatal when inhaled.

They also often ignite fires if not attended to.

As we burrow into our blankets this cold season, let’s spare a thought for the less privileged who also require warmth.