A-maize-ing

Sinqobile Tessa
HEALTHY CROP: Part of our thriving maize field

A reason to smile

A bumper harvest puts a grin on every farmer’s face and I must hasten to say I smile from ear to ear every time I look at our thriving maize field.

We planted our maize crop at different times to limit the risk in case the notoriously unreliable rains were not that good and the strategy paid off spectacularly as the first crop has fully matured.

The second lot is looking equally promising due to the recent rains – in fact, I can safely say we are now certain of a bumper harvest.

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Farmers across the country were short changed this past planting season as the government did not provide adequate inputs as expected. However, the heavens have been good to us, as most parts of the country have received normal to above normal rainfall.

With the economic situation in our country getting worse with each passing day, people really need some positive, feel-good situations to lighten the mood. I have no doubt that having excess maize to re-sell is one of the things that makes farmers and the general public in particular happy.

This is because maize is our staple food and when the product is readily available, life becomes easier for many.

Trust me; for most Zimbos there is nothing more frustrating than having no mealie meal at home and not knowing when or where one will get it. As some would say, we are sadza (phalitshi) eaters, hence we cannot do without maize.

Personally, we are now guaranteed adequate maize supplies until the next season; and for that we are extremely grateful.

I guess we need to find happiness anywhere we can to keep sane or else the situation here will drive us nuts.

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The economy has long dollarized itself meaning that it’s now multi-currency driving the markets even though the powers-that-be won’t admit that our local currency is as good as dead.

As of Tuesday, 1 US$ was equivalent to ZWL$1, 000 on the black market – so you can imagine what the rate will be by year end, that’s if we even have a Zim dollar to talk about by then!

Meanwhile, we are being told that President Emmerson Mnangagwa is the best leader ever and is working tirelessly to make sure Zimbabwe is a better place for all of us.

Mind you, this is the same person who is in Equatorial Guinea as I pen this column, scouting for business opportunities with his son and business associates which will have no benefit for ordinary Zimbos whatsoever!

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