It is nearly time for the long-awaited Christmas holidays in South Africa. What are our people going to do this year? Reporter Phathutshedzo “Baggio” Luvhengo recently “took to the streets” and enquired from some of our residents.

The king of Venda, Khosikhulu Toni Mphephu Ramabulana, urged the Vha-Venda people to be safe during this festive season. He told Limpopo Mirror that it was of paramount importance for people to look after themselves. He said that people should also consider spending their money wisely, considering the difficulties of the economy. According to him, is always important for everyone to bear in mind that there is January and people should save, prepare for that month and enter next year peacefully. “Planning wisely for these festive seasons will also help people to prepare for next year,” he said.

A mother, Ms Grace Lithole from Madombidzha Zone 1, works at the waste management department at the Makhado local municipality. She said she doesn’t plan to spend the festive season away from home as she will be working. "I will enjoy most of my festive holidays at home and it is a pity we work according to shifts and we don't close during the festive season. At least during Christmas I will be at home and will spend enough time with my family," she said.

Ms Estere Nedzamba from Murunwa in the Nzhelele Valley mentioned that the festive period is a great time for her, because some of her children will be at home and they will spend the time as a family. “It is always fantastic to spend time with family and friends and some of family members who work away will be at home with us,” she said.  

A street hawker, Mr Emmanuel Muleya in the town of Louis Trichardt, believes that this is a time to spend with family and friends. Although it is a difficult time economically speaking, the easiest way to spend and save at the same time is when you enjoy time with the family. “I will close my business on 24 of December until 2 January next year. During that time I will be partying responsibly with family and friends,” said Muleya.

A receptionist at Tshedza Lodge, Mr Innocent Khubana from Khunda village, believes that the festive season is the time for the youth to reflect on their goals in life and to refresh their minds. After spending the whole year doing research about young people and empowerment in his village, he insisted that this would be a great time to advise young people about their future and how they should refrain from engaging in indecent behaviour and a decadent lifestyle. “I think this is the great time to empower one another, especially us young people, on how to survive this difficult economic time,” he said.

A business administrator, Mr Humbulani Ndou from Mashamba Tshivhuyuni, reckons that festive seasons are always exceptional times to spend with the family. He believes that spending time with his family will save him a fortune. He said he would spend his Christmas holiday at the Kruger National Park with his son and wife. This will give him quality time with his family while he is away from work. “Spending time with family is a lot cheaper and it helps to save money, unlike spending your savings recklessly with friends,” he said.   

The manager at SO Ravele Attorneys, Mr Lugisani Ravele, from Mauluma village in Nzhelele, reckons the festive season will be great since they will close with a weekend away with some colleagues from work. They will spend the first weekend of December at Swadini resort. He believes that the weekend away will prepare him for spending time in his community, socialising with and advising one another on how they should save money for children’s education and prepare for next year. “After a year of working tirelessly, I think this will be a great time to spend with family and friends, planning for next year,” said Mr Ravele.

The chief administrator at Lufunde Communications and Consultancy, Ms Mulalo Masikwa from Madombidzha Zone 2, plans to spend her entire festive season with her only daughter. Both of them are planning to go on a shopping spree in Gauteng. She believes that this will refresh her mind and allow her to rest after working tirelessly throughout the year. “As a member of the Roman Catholic Church, I will also spend my time attending church services according to our Catholic religious calendar,” she said.

Cllr Magret Mathalise from Tshavhalovhedzi agrees that festive seasons are always better and enjoyable, but she insists that communities should consider their safety during the holidays. She says accidents often occur after people consume alcohol during these times. She urges motorists and pedestrians to refrain from drinking alcohol while on the road. “It is always safe to spend wisely and to look after yourself. We often hear people crying after the festive season without any money because of reckless spending,” she said.

The sports presenter at the SABC's Phalaphala FM, Ms Phathutshedzo Matidza from Masia, is not sure how she will spend her holidays. Apart from spending time with family and friends, she wants to attend most of the football tournaments in the area during this festive season.