Cape to Cairo reclaims lost glory

Raymond Jaravaza
HARDLY two years after taking over the management of Cape to Cairo, the new management has transformed the pub from an almost run down hangout joint frequented by rowdy youths to a top class pub boasting of businessman and professionals as their patrons.

For most Cape to Cairo aï¿½ï¿½ a historic establishment in Bulawayo which has for years been a favourite with tourists aï¿½ï¿½ lost its aura as an up market gentlemenaï¿½ï¿½s Italian styled pub to a regular spot synonymous with drunken youths.Enter businessman Peter Mubi in 2014 and Cape to Cairo was about to begin the journey back to the top of the Bulawayo entertainment circles.

In December of that year Mubiaï¿½ï¿½s immediate task was to spruce up the place and he immediately closed the place for a three months thorough renovation project that gave the establishment a new lease of life.

While the renovations were underway, Mubi was busy researching the ever changing trends in the Bulawayo entertainment circles.

Aptly called the Home of Jazz in Bulawayo, the new look Cape to Cairo sought to give jazz lovers entertainment they had been longing for.

The first step was to identify local unheralded jazz outfits that were aï¿½?hungryaï¿½ï¿½ enough to make a mark for themselves in the jazz fraternity by playing at the pub on Fridays and Saturday.Entertainment manager Bonisani Mafela explained.

aï¿½?We realised that the mature business people and professionals were being short changed by the entertainment industry in the city as a very few places offered a relaxed drinking atmosphere that catered for their needs. We decided to fill that gap by being the only place that hosts jazz musicians on Fridays and Saturdays and we have grown our clientele base within a short space of time,aï¿½? said Mafela.

Cape to Cairo is not just about jazz nights but also offers a family friendly atmosphere during the day.

aï¿½?As you can see families can enjoy breakfast and lunch during the day,aï¿½? he said pointing to a family of five (with children) sitted in a corner enjoying lunch on a Wednesday afternoon.

The joint is answering to the demands of its patrons by introducing free WiFi to enable its clients to mix business with pleasure with access to free internet especially during breakfast and lunch hours.

Unsung local jazz musicians such as Roots, Big Ramsey Kays, Dizwi Jazz Band are regular entertainers at Cape to Cairo. Harare based Lwazi Tshabangu, female jazz sensation Rute Mbangwa and Jeys Marabini are some of the established artistes that continue to grace the pubaï¿½ï¿½s stage .