Matsa brings class to the ghetto

18 Mar, 2018 - 00:03 0 Views
Matsa brings class to the ghetto

The Sunday News

solomons lifestyle 2

Allan Foti, Sunday Life Correspondent
THREE years ago Solomon Matsa had a vision!

A few million dollars later, that vision is now a growing brand in entertainment and is the beginning of a budding chain of upmarket entertainment spots.

After 15 years of travelling the world and quietly collecting memories, Matsa created Solomon’s Lifestyle Cafe, a brand that currently boasts two world class lifestyle cafes in Kwekwe and Harare with two more to be built in Bulawayo and Mutare as soon as land becomes available.

The 50-year-old Matsa has invested well over $2 million in creating his brand and is determined to see it become franchise business.

“I have been privileged to travel the world and visit countries like the US, Dubai, China among others and during that time, I was collecting memories and conceptualising. The result of these memories is a vision that is today Solomon’s Lifestyle Cafe,” Matsa told Sunday Life.

The South Africa-based businessman announced his arrival on the entertainment scene with the opening of the spectacular Solomon’s Lifestyle Cafe at the refurbished Golden Mile Hotel in Kwekwe. Then in December last year, Solomon’s Lifestyle Cafe Willowvale opened its doors to the public.

Built from the ground at a cost of $1 million, the new addition to the budding lifestyle cafe chain is an example of creative architecture couple with exquisite decor. Having placed it smack in the middle of Harare’s high density suburbs, Matsa did the unthinkable and brought Borrowdale to the ghetto.

Matsa explained that his vision is to provide classy and upmarket entertainment in the “hood” as well as to bring Zimbabwe’s culture to the fore at an upmarket venue among the downtrodden of Zimbabwe. He said during his travels, he realised that local businesspeople were proud of their heritage and this was reflected in their businesses.

“While travelling I realised that many businesspeople in the countries I went to were extremely proud of their culture and you can see it in their businesses. I decided to do the same which is why Solomon’s Lifestyle Cafe serves typically Zimbabwean traditional meals but in a modern environment. We literally brought the best of the West and rustic Zimbabwe together,” Matsa said.

solomon lifestyle cafe

The businessman, who also has interests in mining and energy sectors, said he plans to open two more Solomon’s Lifestyle Cafes in Bulawayo and Mutare before the end of the year. He said he has already engaged municipal officials in both cities about acquiring land to build the establishments.

“We plan to build and open in Mutare and Bulawayo year end. I have already approached officials from both cities with the view of buying land and building,” he said.

In keeping with his vision of bringing a touch of class to the ghettos, Matsa said he is hoping to get land at a site adjacent to Makokoba high density suburb: a township steeped in history and culture and is also the oldest township in Bulawayo.

Last weekend the two leisure spots in Harare and Kwekwe hosted South African house crooner Donald who was reportedly charmed by the two venues and has asked Matsa to book him again next month. Matsa said he also plans to bring other top artistes from South Africa like Micasa, Black Coffee and Distruction Boyz while locally Solomon’s Lifestyle Cafes will play host to Alec Macheso, Winky D among others.

Matsa adde-d that his ultimate aim is to partner with interested parties and create a franchise. -@AllanFoti

Share This:

Survey


We value your opinion! Take a moment to complete our survey

This will close in 20 seconds