Manakira kure mvura yemubvumbi

Chinhu chiri kure chinotarisika sechakanaka asi kana chave pedyo chinenge choonekwa kuipa kwacho. Vanhu vane mbiri vanooneka seizvozvo kune vanhu vari kure, asi kuvanhu vanogara nevanhu ivava, havamboonekwe sevanoshamisira.

The quiet persistent rains are only pleasant from a distance.

Somethings are only attractive or revered from afar - the closer one gets, the more they can see the faults or unpleasantness of those things. Beauty from a afar is demystified by close proximity.

The month of Kubvumbi is named after “mubvumbi” which are quiet persistent showers. These rains are usually not accompanied by lightening and thunder and look serene and beautiful from afar. If you are caught by these rains however, you will not find it enjoyable because they can drench you even more than the loud thunderous rains. Hence our elders observed that these rains are only good from a distance. In this way they were commenting on things that appear good from afar but not so pleasant from close quarters. The same applies to famous people who may be regarded in awe by those not close to them but for those who cohabit with them, they are not as revered or exalted.

The proverb is used generally to warn people that some things appear good or awesome from afar but if one is closer they may see a different picture. It is particularly useful in removing misplaced reverence & high esteem for famous and/or powerful people by expressing that their vices are visible to those within their close proximity.