Rainy season starts in October or November here in Zimbabwe. I remember a good few days of heavy rain in October, and the day I left for London it rained heavily. So, while I was away, I assumed that rainy season would be in full swing.
But it wasn’t.
Instead, I kept hearing people speak about the rain and worry about when it was going to come. Most everyone is worried that this year there will be a drought, as there was in 1992. I myself don’t like rain, and selfishly hoped the rainy season wouldn’t be too severe. But I think I didn’t realize just how much it affects people. Most Zimbabweans eat maizemeal for lunch and dinner. But if it doesn’t rain enough, the maize won’t grow which will cause food shortage problems next year.
I even heard a discussion of the rains on the radio yesterday. The emcee was speaking with several farming and weather specialists, and they were all speculating as to if/when the rains would begin and how damaging a drought would be. Already, crops that were planting “too early” have perished and many farmers are having to replant now. Our farm is fine for the most part, as there is an irrigation system, but I highly doubt that tobacco will feed the masses next year.
Thus, despite my personal distaste for rain, I began to think yesterday that maybe some rain would be good.
And then in rained.
