The Sunday News
Peter Matika, Senior Life Reporter
THE Bulawayo Athletic Club (BAC) was one of the City of Kings’ premium homes of entertainment a few years ago, back when it was still known as Mojo Bar . . . it was the place to be for the who’s who of the city, until it faded off to competition.
However, a new player in the entertainment industry has partnered with the sunshine city’s premium entertainment entrepreneurs — Redfox, as they seek to once again turn it into the city’s premium home of entertainment.
Now known as BAC Leisure, the club yesterday hosted its debut event the One Unity One Reggae Tour, which featured internationally acclaimed Jamaican reggae stars Turbulance, Mega Banton and Ghana’s Epixode.
The new managing director of BAC Leisure Archie Scholtz, said this was just a tip of the iceberg as they would closely be working with Redfox to turn the city’s entertainment around.
“We will be working closely with Redfox and will surely turn BAC Leisure into the best leisure spot in the city. The reggae event was just the beginning there is more to come,” said Scholtz.
He added that they would have different events and days with different themes to suit everybody.
“It’s mostly going to have a family feel to it as we plan on also introducing barbeque packs, for those that want to enjoy meat and beverages. We realised that the place was being under utilised, as it had barbecue spots outside that were just lying idle.
Yesterday’s show was just a pilot event for us to see if we had what it takes, not that we doubt ourselves,” he said.
Red Fox entertainment last year is reported to have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the SMEs International Expo in a bid to grow the business side of the arts industry so that artists realise full value from their talent.
National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NAC) director Elvas Mari in a report said the MOU would go a long way in promoting the creative industry.
“As NAC of Zimbabwe we think the MOU is another step in the sector’s quest to promote local talent in the musical arena by ensuring artistes derives maximum value from their talents.
“Gone are the days when the creative industry was frowned upon and those who partook in it were regarded as social misfits and outcasts. The world over the creative industry has become a multi-billion industry that plays a significant role in eradicating poverty and social ills,” said Mari.
Redfox director Robert Zhuwawo, in the same report said the MOU was historical in that it recognised arts as a business and would unlock the potential exuded by the sector.
“What we seek to achieve through the MOU is the structuring and development of the arts industry to gain recognition as a business. Currently the arts industry operates as informal business. The benefits derived through the arts are far and varied.
The benefits cover transport, printing, venue hire, media, hospitality, beverage manufacturers, security to mention but a few,” he said.
He said the MOU would ensure artistes are empowered and live comfortable lives while preserving their legacies and guiding those coming into the arts industry to build their own legacies.
@peterkmatika
