Time with friends, family this Christmas

POLOKWANE – EXCITEMENT is in the air as people from all walks of life prepare to spend Christmas in their special ways.

Express speaks to a few Polokwane residents to find out how they plan to spend Christmas.

Edgar Sadiki says he wants to spend the festive season with his family, because he doesn’t see them much during the year.

“My family is scattered all over South Africa and I have not seen some of them since last Christmas. We plan to have a huge family gathering and catch up on all the news. I hope my whole family will be able to attend,” he says.

Ntsako Mathebula says she looks forward to a special Christmas lunch with her family.

“It is a family tradition to have Christmas lunch together every year. We cook all our favourite traditional dishes. Some of these recipes have been in our family for many generations. We also invite a few close friends to join us,” she says.

Ntsako says there are some great cooks in her family and the food is always perfectly cooked.

“Sharing food has a way to bring people together.”

Desmond Lesudi says he will go to church on Christmas Day.

“I go to my church every year to attend the special Christmas service. I like to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ with my congregation,” he says.

He also plans to take part in other activities at his church like singing carols and re-enacting the nativity scene.

Endy Netshivhera says she plans to go on holiday with some of her best friends.

“Because my friends and I live in different provinces and far away from each other, we don’t visit each other as often as we would like to. This is why we go on holiday together for two weeks every December. We spend Christmas Day over a meal and give each other gifts,” she says.

Wilson Thobejane says he has been away from his children for months because he works in a different town from where they live. He misses them a lot and wants to visit them on Christmas Day.

“They have asked for specific gifts throughout the year and I bought them the clothes and toys they wanted. Now I will be able to give it to them on Christmas Day. I know they will be very happy to see what I bought for them and I cannot wait to see the smiles on their faces.

Takalani Moshope says he will spend Christmas Day with his grandparents.

“I don’t live near my grandparents and visit them every year over the Christmas period to spend time with them and to help them out around the house and yard. On Christmas Day, we have lunch together and they tell me wonderful stories about their youth,” he says,

Takalani says he wishes he could spend more time with his beloved grandparents.