Labour Day in Mazabuka

Mattresses, blankets, bed sheets, fans, carpets, TVs, suitcases, bicycles, microwaves, pots and pans, wardrobes, fridges, sewing machines, cement and cheques . . . No not my shopping list of all the things that I would like to buy, instead these were some of the gifts given out to workers as part of the Labour Day celebrations in Mazabuka. It began with a march, continued with a number of speeches at the Boma (Council offices) which reassuringly the fight against HIV and AIDS was mentioned a number of times by officials, and was followed by dancing and music. A number of organisations including the Police, Zambia Sugar, a local security firm and a group of teachers performed marches for the guests. The most amusing was seeing doctors and nurses marching up and down in their in white uniforms. Then came the awards with certificates given out to the rewarded workers (which are almost as prized as t-shirts in Zambia) alongside announcements of what the gift(s) they were receiving. My personal favourite was 10 bags of cement though how this worker was intending to carry that home I was not too sure!