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Romance in Zimbabwe is taking strikingly inventive forms, reflecting life in an economy where cash reigns supreme and sustainability gains new social value.
You can’t buy love, the saying goes. But from florists in traditional markets to social media sellers angling for attention on TikTok, dollar bills rolled and pinned together to resemble a floral bouquet are increasingly rivaling fresh flowers as Valentine’s Day’s most coveted tokens of appreciation in the southern African country.
“Please God, make my lover see this,” commented one TikTok user under a video advertising glittering cash-and-flower arrangements. “May this bouquet locate me in Jesus name, amen,” wrote another.
At a decades-old flower market in the capital, Harare, florist Tongai Mufandaedza patiently assembled one such ‘money bouquet.’ Using adhesive and bamboo sticks, he folded crisp $50 notes into decorative cone shapes, weaving them with stems of white roses.
As Valentine’s Day approached, he expected business to surge. “The market has improved because of the money bouquets,” said Mufandaedza, who has worked at the country’s biggest flower market for three decades. “(On) Valentine’s Day, we are going to have more, more, more customers, because this is something which is trending. Everyone (wants to) impress,” he said, then patched the arrangement in bright red wrapping and ribbons.
Among those browsing the market was Kimberleigh Kawadza. Her preference was clear. “The person who came up with the trend, I just need to give them a hands up. They did a good job,” said the 23-year-old. “It’s a way of appreciating my partner, it’s a 100 for me, it’s a 100.” Prices vary widely.
Smaller bouquets may contain as little as $10, while larger arrangements can run into the thousands. In some cases, they are even cheaper than traditional floral gifts. A bouquet of dollar notes with a value of $10 costs $25, while a bouquet of 10 good-grade red roses costs between $35 and $40, Mufandaedza said.
Unlike traditional floral gifts, the appeal of money bouquets is as practical as it is romantic for Zimbabwe’s economic realities, where liquidity often carries more immediate value than luxury.
“People still love flowers, but when they see the notes on top, the love feels hotter and the gesture even more meaningful,” he said.
This article was provided by The Associated Press.