Entrepreneurship driving Zimbabweans to work on public holidays

Harare (New Ziana) –As Zimbabweans are fast turning from workers to entrepreneurs, they are also moving away from partying on public holidays to making money and growing their businesses.

The trend has been growing over the years as businesses stopped the tradition of operating half the day on Saturdays and banks on Wednesdays, to opening the whole day.

As competition grew, many businesses moved to opening on Sundays, starting with half days to allow workers to rest, to the whole day as employers operated shifts.

The trend has since spread to public holidays, as businesses maximize on profits while saving the public the inconvenience of having to hoard goods and lack critical services when they would be closed during long public holidays.

It was therefore not surprising that most cities and towns in the country were hives of activity on Unity Day, which also happened to fall between working days.

Businesses also took advantage of the festive mood as most citizens were doing last minute shopping for the Christmas and New Year holidays.

It was only government departments and financial institutions which were closed as other businesses that sell goods directly to the public such as retail stores, restaurants, pharmacies, liquor outlets and clothing stores were making brisk business.

Most businesses did not find it prudent to close on Thursday only to open on Friday and Saturday, and then close again on Sunday and Monday for Christmas and Boxing Day respectively.

The majority however closed early to allow workers a few hours to celebrate the important day with friends and family.

A few couples took advantage of the day to tie the knot, hoping that its symbolism would translate into their relationships.

In his address to the nation, President Emmerson Mnangagwa said the Unity Agreement between Zanu and Zapu in 1987 was a homegrown one as the two parties put aside their differences for the greater good of the country.

He said as such, there was need for Zimbabweans to deepen their resolve to defend and entrench the unity bequeathed to them by the leaders of the two parties.

“We take pride in the fact that the Agreement was home-grown, with our two liberation movements, namely the Zimbabwe African National Union, ZANU, and the Zimbabwe African People’s Union, ZAPU, putting aside their differences for the greater national good,” he said.

“Today, we thus, celebrate this important National Unity Day as we deepen our resolve to defend and entrench the Unity bequeathed to us, which is permeating across our country.

“It is sacred and defines us as a people and nation to the extent that future generations have the weighty responsibility to defend and enjoy the benefits accruing from it.”

New Ziana