Current Time in Bulawayo
Zimbabwe's culture of time
Zimbabwe's culture of time
Flexible sense of time
Zimbabwe has a relatively tolerant culture of scheduled time, as seen in the term "African time". It is not uncommon for people to be 15 minutes to an hour late, especially in informal gatherings and private appointments.
Different ways of using time in urban and rural areas
In urban areas, punctuality is required in business, while in rural areas, many people live by a natural rhythm that matches the sunrise and sunset, and there are many situations in which they act by feel rather than by clock.
Queue culture and tolerance for waiting times
It is common to queue for long periods of time at public institutions and bus stops, and people tend to have a high level of patience for long periods of time. People are accustomed to spending their waiting time chatting or observing.
Zimbabwean values regarding time
Social relationships take precedence over time
There is a culture that values "relationships with people" over time. Even if you are late, it is often not a problem as long as you are happy to see each other and greet politely.
Emphasis on harmony over efficiency
Even in business, there is a tendency to emphasize the overall atmosphere and relationships over efficiency, and there is a culture where people do not feel stressed even if things do not start on time.
Religious and traditional sense of time
Christianity and traditional beliefs are deeply rooted in Zimbabwean life, and prayer and ritual times are sometimes prioritized. This means that daily schedules can be flexibly arranged to accommodate religious events.
Things foreigners should know about time when traveling or relocating to Zimbabwe
Don't expect too much punctuality
In Zimbabwe, public transportation and service start times are often not as scheduled. It is more important to plan with ample time than to have a strict schedule.
Punctuality is required in business situations
Punctuality is the basis for meetings with government agencies, foreign companies, and urban companies. Time consciousness tends to be emphasized especially in business with foreigners.
Early morning activities
Zimbabweans organize their lives according to the hours of sunlight, and many people start their activities early in the morning. Government offices and shops also open at 7-8am, so morning-oriented schedules are the norm.
Interesting trivia about time in Zimbabwe
"African time" is a half-joking common understanding
Even if you are late for an appointment, you may laugh and say, "It's African time." This expression shows flexibility in time and importance of human relationships.
Bus departure is based on "fullness" rather than "time"
Long-distance buses connecting cities generally depart only when there are enough passengers, not according to a timetable. For this reason, it is often difficult to read departure times.
Sense of time based on the agricultural calendar
In rural areas, the rhythm of life is determined by the agricultural calendar, which includes rainy and dry seasons, and "seasons" and "weather" are more important criteria for judgment than units of time.