Basa Magwanani

Zvinhu zvinoda kuitwa nekukasika nguva yazvo isati yapfuura.

Work is done in the morning.

One must act early before the time expires. A similar English saying is the early bird catches the worm.

The karanga people were primarily hunters and farmers. While both occupations had seasonal elements to them, their times were different and affected by different variables. Farming, particularly crop production was essential for preparing certain foods. The farming seasons are in the later part of the year when the weather is very hot. Hence it was common sense that it would be easier to till the land or weed the fields in the early hours of the morning before the sun begins to scorch. This early rising habit was also common in other tasks like sweeping the yard or releasing the cattle from the kraal. To this day many households still hold firm to early attendance to chores.

The proverb is used to encourage people to act early and urgently on priority things. It can also be used retrospectively to explain to someone why they have missed out on an opportunity if they acted late.