Cheers, everybody, as we brace for 2025!

Having eaten Christmas (or Krithimathi as my people call it) two days ago, year-end celebrations continue.

Bars are doing roaring business, with everybody being in a spending mood.

The dalalis (freelance real estate agents) seem to be doing well, for currently, they don’t just sit at their own table and tell stories while sharing a 1.5 ml bottle of water.

I mention this breed of Wabongo because—love them or hate them—they’re doing a good job in our hugely unregulated real estate sector, but cash flow for them had dropped following the massive shift of public servants to Dodoma.

Right now, however, it’s apparent things aren’t too bad for many among them, and instead of having five or six of them sharing a big bottle of water, you often see them sharing a 750ml Konyagi plus a K Vant of the same measure.

Mambo ni mazuri. It’s a period of blessings for everybody.

Besides the dalalis, other wananchi are also revelling abundantly.

There’s nothing like weekend time; every day is now fun time because so many people are on leave and their pockets are lined.

Mwalimu Kich, that is, the good old uncle of mine, was at my part of the Dar City outskirts doing Christmas shopping (much as he’s not a Christian—we’re Tanzanians) and called to say he’d like to see me at Family, our favourite haunt.

As Uncle Kich and I walk past the counter on our way to the open section of the expansive eating and drinking establishment, we say hello to Noel, this cousin of mine.

Noel is seated with a youngish woman who’s enjoying a Windhoek as he contends with a 500ml bottle of Konyagi and Club Soda.

“Bro, have something on me,” says Noel.

“Yes, please, but we’re heading out there to eat something first,” you say.

“Fine; your drinks will follow you,” he says.

We’re settled under a tree shade, enjoying our mtori, the banana porridge with several pieces of meat thrown in, the recipe of which was created on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro.

We’re not completely through with our mtori when Claudia the matron comes over to our table holding a tray, from which she pulls out three warm Sere Laiti for me and three big, warm Safaris for Uncle.

“Hey!” remarks Uncle, “Where are these from?”

“From Noel, your young man,” says the ever-smiling Claudia.

“Ohoo…this is too much!” exclaims Uncle Kich, grinning from ear to ear. “go and tell him we’re so grateful.”

Mark you, it wasn’t Christmas as we went through this! However, so many people, including yours faithfully, were already enjoying the goodies associated with the auspicious day that marks the birth of Jesus.

It’s my belief you, the reader, had a truly merry Christmas on Wednesday.

POST SCRIPT

Hello reader. Thank you for reading me during the past year that comes to a close four days from today. I wish you a happy and prosperous 2025, hoping you’ll remain with me.