Story by Theophilus Chuma
AS the curtain comes down on the year 2024 in just a few hours, many will be looking forward to the future with hope after enduring the effects of the El Nino-induced drought.
As the new year beckons, the rural folks are hoping for brighter days in the new year.
Getting ready for the last lunch for 2024, Mrs Musai Makuzha gathers little pieces of firewood around her homestead, humming a faint tune of joyous praise to the heavens.
Outside her house, there is huge laughter and smiles confirming the anticipation of a brimmed road runner chicken that will be coming their way soon.
Inside the house, Mrs Makuzha gets busy lighting up the fire, her face filled with great pleasure to be hosting a big family gathering.
The ZBC News is among the guests, in between people crack up jokes, but also discuss the future as the new year begins.
“2024 was a very difficult year for us but I have not lost hope. I believe that the new year will bring better fortunes for us, especially if we are to have good rains. Above all, we just put everything to God,” said Mrs Makuzha.
The year 2024 will be remembered for its extreme heat that sucked dry many water sources across the country.
Yet even under these difficult circumstances, the bad weather conditions did not dampen their spirits.
If anything, they have found joy, putting on happy faces even in the face of adversity.
“We managed to work hard , extremely hard to overcome our challenges,” said a villager.
In just a few hours, the memories of 2024 will be in the past, paving way for new beginnings.
