The Christmas countdown is very much on and I kind of feel sad for your average African kid. While parents in the developed world are busy spending hundreds if not thousands of dollars on gifts from Santa, I don’t know many kids here who will be waking up to dozens of presents on Christmas morning. So what’s the problem? Are Africa’s Santas too broke or just mean? To be fair to them, the concept itself is not practical. First of all, there’s no snow which in itself wouldn’t be so bad but what would Santa have to navigate to get where he has to? We’re having some severe weather lately so maybe Santa would do with that but there’s also the fact that your typical African home doesn’t have a chimney so again, how would Santa sneak into the house? And who has money to “waste” on cookies and milk for Santa? The kids would be lucky if their parents can even afford the treats! Seeing parents posting cute photos of their kids meeting Santa, you again feel for the children who can’t enjoy the same. Privileged families go all out on matching pajamas and “ugly” Christmas Sweaters which also cost hundreds of dollars when all the poor kids get is a cheap or secondhand Christmas outfit. There are lots of “plastic” Santas in our malls and supermarkets and maybe that’s the problem! We need more real ones! I did meet Santa or Father Christmas as we call him where I come from once when I was about six after the traditional Christmas service and all I got was a sweet! All some kids get is a hearty meal and some fanta. The Christmas experience really isn’t the same for everybody. It’s not just plastic Santas but plastic trees too and not just that, even the “presents” under the trees are fake. Those nicely wrapped gift boxes are indeed empty! I resist the urge to walk up every time I visit a corporate office just to prove a point but I know they’re empty. If you’re bold enough, try opening one and let me know. Hope you don’t get in trouble with security but if you do, I hope you get out in time for Christmas!
