The Sunday News
Phineas Chauke
THE tshisanyama concept has altered the way individuals, friends and families spend their leisure or even celebrate events of late.
Until fairly recently, braai spots in cities and townships in Zimbabwe have been viewed as the preserve of people who take alcoholic drinks. The vast majority of such places lacked the current ambience that resonates with the idea of relaxation and a fair bit of opulence.
I actually know a number of such places which were being patronised by “drinking” men and their few female counterparts. These are places where you would find a bar, a butchery and in the backyard, there would be a dull looking braai stand or two with soot on the walls and surfaces around.
Ordinarily, women and children would not be seen around such places nor were they expected there. These places were also associated with those men who liked to spoil themselves when their families did not have any meat for the pot at home. Apart from the scent of roasting meat dominating the areas around, there was nothing else attractive about such places.
This is, however, clearly no longer the case with today’s tshisanyama as hospitality entrepreneurs have managed to turn them into attractive and comfy spaces that are accommodating and suitable for everyone.
The concept of the tshisanyama gained prominence in South Africa for sometime before its mass adoption in Zimbabwe, but when it finally arrived, it spread like wild fire and it saw business proprietors innovating in the development of leisure environments and hospitable service designs.
These modern entertainment and leisure spots are not necessarily identical but common features include happy people, sweet aroma in the air, trays of meat on tables and good music.
The tshisanyama concept has absolutely revolutionised leisure time and certainly added flavour to weekends and holidays.
Families now have a place where they can all go and chill and catch some clean fun without any fear of being labelled negatively.
The tshisanyama caters for every family member. Trampolins, jumping castles and games are normally available for the kids, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are available for mums and dads. Church groups also patronise the tshisanyama without having to go to the priest’s confession window the next day.
Generally, this is a place where everyone does their thing without being affected by what others are up to. It is a trendy place where birthdays are celebrated, business meetings held and marriage proposals made.
There is no limit to what can be done at the tshisanyama and in most cases the staff are eager to go out of their way to promote people’s different themes.
The DJs are ever willing to please, entertaining song requests and sometimes even offering their public address systems for special announcements. The modern tshisanyama is normally associated with fancy shades, nice and colourful seats as well as lush green lawns, not to forget the smartly dressed people.
Activities that involve the whole family normally get the approval of the “finance directors” in families therefore they get funded.
The tshisanyama concept has helped cultivate an inclusive culture of “going out” in families to the extent that when they are not going to the tshisanyama they are thinking about what could be a suitable substitute and this is when nature park excursions, visits to the local museum, lunar park, cinema or theatre come in.
This is a new trend rising among Zimbabweans and the stimulant role of the tshisanyama in this development can not be overlooked.
Beyond domestic tourism, the tshisanyama as a social space also needs to be included in the places to which international tourists should be taken to by local tour operators.
Phineas Chauke is a Bulawayo-based tourism consultant, marketer and tour-guide. Contacts: mobile number +263776058523, email: [email protected]
