If you had told me last Christmas to visit a growth point, I would have fervently declined. Why, you might ask? Because I believed having a good time pamaGirosa (around the grocery stores) was something only the younger crowd enjoyed. “The younger you are, the merrier it is at the growth point,” was my narrative, shaped by my experiences as a young boy spending time with my maternal cousins—Mainini Lau, Mainini Nattie, Mainini Mimmie, Sekuru Fadzi, Sekuru Munashe, Sekuru Tanaka, and even our neighbor Elisha. Together, we formed a crew that had endless fun at the growth point, paShopo.

Fast forward to December 25, 2024, and I found myself back in Madzivanzira village, Chiweshe, Mashonaland Central Province, Zimbabwe. The closest growth point, Shopo, named after Shopo village, was alive with festive energy. Divided into three main sections, the growth point boasts popular beer halls, stores, a printing shop, fast food outlets, and a spacious parking area for buses and cars. The most popular bus, Senya Transport, has maintained a monopoly on the Harare-Shopo direct route for over 15 years. Another bus, Dzimbahwe, has served the area for even longer but follows a different route connecting to the well-known Howard Hospital on its way to Harare. These buses are a staple of daily life and a highlight of the area.

I arrived at Shopo growth point around 5 PM. The atmosphere was electric! Toddlers raced around the shops, proudly showing off their new Christmas outfits. People of all ages were dressed to impress. Children squealed with excitement, lighting firecrackers, while radios blasted music from every corner. To my surprise, I learned that there was no electricity due to a fault caused by lightning 48 hours earlier. Despite this, the community had invested in generators to keep the festivities alive.

One of my first stops was the once-famous Manhambara Bottle Store. This complex was originally owned by Amanhambara, a renowned spirit medium who attracted visitors from across Zimbabwe and beyond. Now, the store is run by whoever can afford the rent, and while it remains the same place physically, it has lost its vibrant energy. I overheard an old man wistfully exclaim, “Pano pakambonakidza mhani” (This place used to be lively), expressing his disappointment.

Next, I visited Chingwara Store, owned by the once-dominant Chingwara, who used to control nearly all the buildings at the growth point. Though their holdings have reduced over time, the stores remain packed to capacity, offering everything from groceries, clothes, and shoes to bicycle pumps, fertilizer, and cement. The stores have become mini one-stop shops for all essentials.

As darkness fell, I watched with pride as the Dzimbahwe bus roared into the growth point. Last-minute Christmas travelers disembarked with heaps of luggage, warmly received by family members. The blue-and-white bus bore the sign, “SHOPO, SHUTU VIA MUKODZONGI,” signaling its final stops for the day.

The air was rich with the aroma of braai—pork, beef, chicken, turkey, and goat meat sizzled on grills as people enjoyed themselves. By 8 PM, speakers were set up, and a local rural DJ took to the turntables, much to the delight of the gathered crowd. I grabbed a can of Detroit Energizer and took a final walk around the growth point. I saw worried grandmothers fetching mischievous grandchildren, drunkards sleeping on bar benches, teenage boys sneaking glances at beautiful village girls, and people dancing to their favorite tunes.

By midnight, I retired, thoroughly satisfied. It was a Christmas day well spent and a lesson in finding joy in simplicity. Too often, we waste energy chasing things we think will fulfill us, forgetting that simply being alive is enough reason to be happy.

With Christmas behind me, I now look forward to seeing what Shopo growth point has in store for New Year’s Eve as we cross into 2025.