The Sunday News
Peter Matika, Senior Life Reporter
THE name George Zingani probably evokes bad memories of capital investments gone wrong. It is a name many people would rather forget, owing much to losses they encountered from Zingani’s collapsed pyramid scheme — Geozing Pawnbrokers Investments a couple of years ago.
Many people, if not the greater part of Matabeleland’s population had invested in the company with the hope of doubling their initial investment.
It is a phase many people including Zingani would rather forget and in so doing is giving a try at turning over a new leaf. Many who know Zingani would recall how he managed to allure crowds through his striking and captivating persona.
With the advantage of his ability to lure crowds, Zingani is trying his hand at something totally different, something which doesn’t require the involvement of investment in any amount of money — entertainment.
Holding his head high after the collapse of the scheme, which nearly landed him behind bars, Zingani has ventured into the entertainment industry as a local hotel’s entertainment manager and is by all means doing a great job.
The pint-sized Zingani now goes by the name Amazing Joe, probably for his ability to juggle many activities in one go, given that he also doubles both as a manager and entertainer at the hotel.
Amazing Joe recently spoke to Sunday Life about his new lease of life, where he revealed that he was brewing something big for the local entertainment industry.
“I am now the entertainment manager at the hotel. I am or rather we are trying to come up with a new concept to popularise the place. We mainly want to attract the mature crowds, where we will play soothing music, which identifies with them. We have different events lined up for each week and the place is becoming quite popular. It’s refreshing and is a pleasant getaway. Presently we are also working on refurbishing the place, as you know the old management never worked on improving the place and that is what we are focused on,” he said.
Being the innovative person he is, Amazing Joe said they would soon introduce various activities at the hotel to cater for all age groups.
“Soon we will introduce a darts club; we also want to have pool tables at the night spot, which had turned into a white elephant. We will house some of those activities in the rooms at the nightspot. We have also cleared the reeds and other water plants at the dam for boat cruises. Those are just some of the activities we will soon be introducing. We have also been working on adding lights around the hotel for those that want to enjoy an evening out doors and under the sun,” said Amazing Joe.
He added that there would be also hosting live performances from bands, groups and pole dancers.
“It is the ideal activity for out and indoor activity. Those who wish to wed can use the place as a venue. Recently we had a wedding expo and it was well attended, we will be holding another in September,” he said.
The place where Amazing Joe has found home is Windermere Hotel, situated about 15 kilometres out of Bulawayo along the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls road.
