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My satisfaction derives from seeing employers and employees strategise around work related issues, implementing these plans and then having get-togethers (with plenty food and drinks), to celebrate the achievement of targets. Call it the columnist’s trademark, if you like!
First things first — we have been blessed with rains in the last few days, good soaking rains, full of nitrogen for the plants, and hope for the people.   For me, you now know what spirit rains invoke, I am loving each and every rain drop, for it represents life.

I have never seen us as a nation being so grateful for these rains before — it’s great that this time around we are so appreciative, dear reader. Where-as in the past you would hear comments such as “has he lost the keys”, this time around it is, “waze wasilamulela uMdali” (the Almighty has given us a reprieve, oh we are so grateful). That is how it should be, we should never take Him or his ways, for granted, never.  I suspect the heat wave did the trick!
Every Friday for me marks a transition from being rural to being a town dweller, for I heeded the call to develop our rural areas.  However, last week was a transition with a difference, for I had been invited to an end-of-year party, in the City of Kings and Queens.

Oh, I enjoy seeing homo sapiens in happy spirits — food and music being the inputs, and dance and laughter being the portfolio of evidence.
I had a swell time, is all I can say.  However, what I learnt from all this, is that things do not just happen on their own — someone has to put in a lot of hard work (behind the scenes). These are our sometimes unsung heroes type guys.

Well done organisers of this end of year party and a big hand of appreciation to those partying, no untoward behaviour or anything like that observed — only lots of fun and enjoyment. That’s how it should be.   Any invitations to your end of year parties, dear readers — you will not regret having me around, I promise!   Recall the “now I can dance”, article?
The evening was even more fulfilling for me, bringing home what my employer had done for me (or was it what I had done for the employer) such that he had to thank me! Whatever the sequence, the family was so grateful for what I brought home.  I am sure I am not the only one enjoying a new lease of  love and respect from my family and those close to me, the fever must be spreading across the country!

When were you last called by that totem of yours? It feels good to be recognised for adding value to family and relatives, and indeed other citizens, wherever and however.
As a consequence of this act of taking home what belongs to family, new frontiers were opened for me, for I found myself in town the following morning, quite early, actually. What? Had you been sent packing columnist, you enquire rather expectantly.  No ways, just like a good worker gets rewarded for his hard work, I was given the green light to go and explore town in recognition for the heroic act and also given that I am otherwise domiciled in the bush.

I spent quite some time standing near the maNxeleni musical maestro, ubaba uDube, uMthembo ozithembayo. 
Man, oh man, the old man can belt out them vibes. He even sings better than Don Williams, if you ask me. He also easily equals the late great Jimi Hendrix in terms of guitar dexterity. I enjoyed all the numbers that he churned and the interview that he granted me.

This morning excursion was very important for me.   It was nice to see what Bulawayo has to offer, a variety of things, all in the human resources domain.
The good looking and the not-so-good looking, the tall and the not-so-tall, the smart and the not-so-smart, the slim and the not-so-slim, the generous in giving and the not-so-generous. Oh man!   These are all God’s creations, I mused to myself.

The departure point was what these varied creations did as part of their social responsibility act — the giving or not giving to the less fortunate members of society. I saw a number of people drop something by ubaba uDube’s money box, as he belted out the music, always with a thank you from him each time something was dropped in. It was evident that people enjoy his music.  The giving was even more, when people saw the columnist standing there curiously. Was it about the queue mentality that is now synonymous with being a Zimbo, or was it about the presence of the columnist, was the question?

Fellow nationals, it is that time of the year, where generosity is called for.   Stretch your hand and give to the less fortunate in society, in return for what the employer has done for you.  For ubaba uDube it is not strictly about being less fortunate, for he has ably equipped himself with a skill, all he needs now is an enabling environment.
I think of the likes of Ray Charles and  Steve Wonder  overseas, and our own late greats, Paul Matavire and Fanyana Dube, and I say let there be an opening similar to those legends mentioned above, for ubaba uDube. Exposure to a hotel setting, being hired at school functions to inspire the young, the list is endless.

I bless the person who bought him the electric guitar and equipment and the one who put him where he currently operates from — now someone has to take it a step higher.  What amazed me was that when I came back after disappearing into town a bit, he chuckled and said, usuphendukile Moyo, at the slightest whisper from me. Wow, totally amazing!

I only left the spot when I realised her highness was not going to be impressed if I stayed any longer — I had already overstayed, you know. Being the strategist that I am (every descendant of Adam is equipped with this gift, although to differing extents), I decided to stop by at Ascot, to buy some  atonement, in case I found the rivers in flood! Lo and behold I found fine arts at its best at Ascot, a polished cultural ensemble in action.

Another thirty minutes of delight would not hurt, I conjured, what with the expensive oddments that I had bought.
Hayi bo, things are really promising over this festive season. What a performance by this ensemble, by any standard, really.  Reminded me of the isibhaca dance — anytime, dear reader, anytime — I can join in this one, I mean.

What are we saying in all this? We all are in Zimbabwe as Zimbabweans, period. Nothing can lift us from our present circumstances but ourselves and those around us. The spirit of recognising each other, being there for each other and giving to the needy at times such as these (festive season, and also times of need), will see us being elevated before God, as a nation.

Come to think of it, we are the same individuals that are at work, that go about our social undertakings and also visit  the synagogue on Saturday/Sunday — let us learn to reconcile this tripartite arrangement, I say. We cannot act differently, depending on circumstance, we need some consistency, I argue.
I rest my festive — spirit filled case. Send comments and views to e-mail address hecandbe@ gmail.com or sms 0777556081.