Zimpapers Logo

The Herald, 15 February, 1996

THERE were definitely fewer people carrying flowers in the city centre yesterday, compared to the previous years as loved ones exchanged gifts to mark St Valentine’s Day.

Most lovers had to resort to buying other gifts like perfume, clothes or even jewellery.

Others had to take their loved ones for the more formal Valentine’s Day dinners offered by various restaurants in the city last night.

But a Bulawayo man, Nelson Mutenure, would want to forget the day very quickly as it left him with a choice of parting with $170 or spending 20 days in jail.

Mutenure, from Pumula North suburb, appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mr Felix Ndlovu facing two counts of shoplifting and was convicted on his own plea.

Outlining the State case, Miss Rumbidzai Midzi told the court that Mutenure stole a Valentine card from Page One Stationery shop on Monday. The card was worth $22.

In his quest to complete his treat, he then went to a flea market where he stole a bottle of perfume worth $10.

He was arrested by a security guard at the market who also recovered the card.

LESSONS FOR TODAY

It’s Valentine’s Day today, a day for lovers, despite it being mired in controversy about its pagan origins and significance in a Zimbabwe set up.

If people are serious about loving one another, then it should be a daily routine, instead of it being confined to February 14.

But for those who have embraced this Western value, the day is very important. Since 2020 is a Leap Year, women are expected to spoil their partners with gifts and take them out to lunch and dinner.

The prevailing economic challenges will reveal the type of Valentine’s Day celebrated in 2020.

Valentine’s Day can also be costly as some people do the unthinkable, in order to impress.

Paulette Kelly in her acclaimed poem, “I got flowers today” reveals the ugly side of why sometimes you get flowers: it’s a cover-up of domestic violence.

“I got flowers today! It wasn’t my birthday or any other special day. We had our first argument last night and he said a lot of cruel things that really hurt. I know that he is sorry and didn’t mean to say the things he said; Because he sent me flowers today . . .”