Prominent Gweru lawyer, Brian Dube
Stephen Chadenga
As the festive season approaches, with at least three weeks left to Christmas celebrations, top Gweru lawyer and social commentator, Brian Dube, has advised Zimbabweans to exercise courtesy, kindness and good manners to make the festive season enjoyable for everyone.
In a wide ranging interview with The Blast the award winning human rights legal practitioner said people tended to overlook basic etiquette habits during festive holidays either “knowingly” or “unknowingly” bringing anxiety to others and depriving them of a warm and joyful season.
The former Gweru Urban legislator said people should take time to reflect on the need for respect and consideration for others during social interactions be it family visits, social gatherings, driving on the roads and spending habits among other activities during the coming holidays.
” Over the years we have witnessed tensions in family set ups when people fail to plan festive holiday visits,”Dube said.
“For those planning to visit, let us make sure that we have given notice to our hosts. Our visits must always be welcome and let us not just visit because the person is our relative or friend.”
He said although traditional and African values of family ties were still binding and respected times were changing and people needed to embrace “the changing times” in their day to day living.
“What we are saying is that if not careful with the way we plan our visits during the festivies we may end up spoiling other people’s plans by invading their space and disrupting their joy,”he said.
Dube added: ” And when travelling with our kids, let us make sure they are well mannered and do not become a nuisance in other people’s homes.
” As for those who are into social outgoing, we must not be in the habit of just joining others who are drinking or eating without contributing anything. Let us make it a habit to bring something on the table.”
The legal expert said couples should have a clear roadmap on how to attend to family issues saying although people could hang out with friends there was need to balance the two.
Dube also urged people to avoid over-spending and live within their means knowing basic necessities like education, rentals and bills still needed to be paid.
“Fees, rentals and other expenditures for January are sustained through the December income,”he said.
“It is better to already put that money aside or even pay it before falling into the festive temptations. We must avoid being impulsive in our spending.”
He said those travelling should observe traffic rules on safety to avoid putting their families and the lives of others in danger during the holidays by among other things, avoiding night driving and refraining from driving under the influence of intoxicating substances.
Dube said people should avoid mischievous and criminal behavior like violence, sexual promiscuity, drug and substance abuse noting that many people have ended up in trouble as a result of unrestrained excitement.
“A lot of people have ended up their festivies in mortuaries, hospital beds and police cells during this period of hyperactivity,”he said.
The legal counsel said over and above these tips people should always remember the less privileged in society and endeavour to put a smile on them during the festive season.
“Let us invite someone less privileged and have a meal with them or take some clothes or groceries to their place,”he said.
Dube said people should not necessarily think that helping the disadvantaged needed “one to be rich” but that “richness comes from the heart” and in “sharing that we have.”