As December looms, the festive energy that once defined the holiday season in Zimbabwe and across much of Africa is eerily absent.
What was once a time for family reunions, home renovations, and merry goodwill has been replaced by uncertainty, despair, and economic stagnation.
The buzz of Christmas markets, the clatter of builders fixing homes, and the joyous chatter of travelers returning home are conspicuously missing.
Instead, an unsettling quiet hangs in the air, leaving many to ask: is this the real “Silent Night”?
Leadership and Poverty
The recent spectacle during the presentation of Zimbabwe’s 2025 national budget encapsulates the state of affairs.
Amid a critical moment for the country’s economic planning, President Emmerson Mnangagwa was embarrassingly escorted out of the Chinese-donated parliament in darkness due to a power failure.
This episode, symbolic of deeper systemic failures, underscores how Zimbabwe and much of Africa have been plunged into a metaphorical darkness by a combination of poor leadership, economic mismanagement, and external pressures.
Despite being endowed with abundant natural resources, Africa remains shackled by poverty.
Decades of corruption, dependency on foreign aid, and adherence to instructions from former colonial powers have perpetuated cycles of underdevelopment.
The dream of a united, strong African Union that could act as a watchdog over errant leaders and ensure economic self-reliance remains just that—a dream.
Death of Festivity
In years past, preparations for Christmas began weeks, if not months, in advance.
Families would paint and renovate their homes, children would eagerly anticipate gifts, and communities would come together to share meals and laughter.
This year, however, the landscape is vastly different.
The economic crisis has left people with no disposable income, and inflation has made even basic commodities unaffordable.
The silence is deafening. Social media, usually abuzz with Christmas greetings and family reunion plans, is quiet.
Airports are not crowded with the joyous chaos of returning diaspora members.
Churches, once vibrant with rehearsals for nativity plays and Christmas carols, are subdued.
For many, the question is no longer “What are we doing for Christmas?” but rather “Can we afford to eat on Christmas Day?”
Cost of Dependency
A significant factor in Africa’s current plight is its continued reliance on foreign aid and investment, often accompanied by exploitative terms.
The symbolic Chinese parliament in Zimbabwe is a case in point.
While such donations are presented as acts of goodwill, they often come with strings attached, trapping nations in cycles of debt and dependency.
This reality raises questions about sovereignty and self-determination.
Why are African leaders still beholden to external powers decades after independence?
The answer lies in weak governance, lack of strategic planning, and an unwillingness to break free from the colonial mindset.
Call for Reflection and Renewal
The stark reality of this year’s festive season should be a wake-up call.
It is time for Africa to rethink its priorities and rebuild its institutions.
A strong and accountable African Union could be instrumental in this transformation.
By fostering unity, transparency, and self-reliance, Africa can begin to chart a new course—one that celebrates its cultural heritage and uplifts its people.
This Christmas, as children wonder whether they will experience the magic of “Silent Night,” let us reflect on the kind of legacy we want to leave for them.
Will it be one of despair and dependency, or can we find a way to reignite the light of hope, resilience, and true independence?
For now, December is coming—but the joy and festivity it once heralded remain a distant memory.