Siphakeme .Mnindwa
Blessing Karubwa, Features Reporter
AS the world brightened with twinkling lights and the air filled with laughter and joy, one soul felt the weight of silence amid the festive cheer.
For Prince Chiromonzi (27) from Luveve suburb in Bulawayo, the Christmas holiday is not a celebration but a painful reminder of loss, loneliness, and longing.
Born in Harare in 1997, Prince’s life began with the tragic loss of his mother, who died when he was just a newborn.
His father had vanished into thin air, an absence that would haunt Prince throughout his life.
After spending two years in Harare, he was taken to live with his grandparents in Mbaulo, Godlwayo, in Insiza District, Matabeleland South province.
At the tender age of eight, he was uprooted once again, moving to his uncle’s home in Nkankezi Village in the same province, where he would spend several more years in a world devoid of parental guidance or familiar warmth.
It was only as a teenager, when he was preparing for Form One, that Prince learned the truth about his mother — her death, the absence of his father, and the painful circumstances surrounding his family’s history.
His uncle, who struggled to provide the love and nurturing Prince so desperately craved for, showed him faded, torn photographs of the mother he would never know.
“It felt like I was meeting a ghost,” Prince recalled, his voice trembling.
“I could never understand why she left me alone in this world.”
Christmas, a day of joy and hope for many, is a bitter reminder of his isolation. While others gathered with their families, sharing laughter and exchanging gifts, Prince found himself adrift in a sea of memories and unfulfilled dreams.
The holiday, which celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, has evolved into a time for families to come together, share experiences and create new ones. Yet, for Prince, it serves as a stark contrast to his own reality — a reminder of the love he craves but has never known.
“Every Christmas, I see others enjoying time with their families, and it intensifies my loneliness,” he said, his eyes misty with unshed tears.
“I often sit alone, scrolling through my phone, putting my mother’s picture on my status, and crying. It’s my way of remembering her and processing the pain of not having a family.”
Prince, a sobriety advocate, does not turn to alcohol or drugs to escape his reality. Instead, he yearns to carve out a life filled with purpose.
Prince holds a degree in Media and Society Studies from Midlands State University. The irony of his situation weighs heavily on him — he longs for community and connection in a world that often overlooks those who are different, those who are alone.
During the festive season, it is essential to remember individuals like Prince, who may feel invisible amid the celebrations. In a world that thrives on togetherness, we must not forget those who, for various reasons, find themselves without family, friends, or support.
This holiday season, let us extend our hearts to all, remembering that a simple act of kindness — a call, a visit, or even a shared meal — can make a world of difference.
Prince’s story serves as a poignant reminder to embrace compassion and empathy, to open our doors and our hearts to those who may be struggling. As we gather around our tables, let us remember that love is not exclusive to bloodlines; it is a bond that can be forged through kindness, understanding, and acceptance.
This festive season, let us strive to create a world where no one feels alone, where the spirit of the season reaches every corner of our communities. In doing so, we honour not only the memory of those we have lost but also the spirit of togetherness that the holiday embodies.
For Prince, and many like him, a small gesture could transform a silent holiday into days filled with hope and the warmth of human connection. — @TeamKarubwa
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