adminSydney Kawadza Senior Features Writer
A conversation between two seemingly trendy ladies captures the attention of customers in a beauty parlour along Nelson Mandela Avenue in Harare. The ladies do not notice that their conversation has become a draw card to the patrons in the salon and by the time they are done with their pedicures, manicures and hairdos and leave, their subject topic lingers.
The ever active and talkative beauticians, hairdressers and barbers take over the conversation but what had been plans for the ladies turn into a heated debate. The source of the debate; should one hire an events co-ordinator just to plan a birthday for their child or is this really too much of a case of trying to keep up with the Moyos?
“The problem with Zimbabweans is that they have become too ambitious and extravagant with no boundaries. You can plan your son’s or daughter’s birthday without any need for spending lots of money for that. I do not believe in such extravagance and besides one would not save money to organise such a day’s activity. There is no need for such extravagance indeed,” Naison Wairesi, a barber complained.
However, a hairdresser Ammara Sigauke had a different view adding that one can go the extra mile for those that he or she loves. “Birthdays are very special especially for the young ones and I do not mind spoiling my child on such an important occasion,” she said. Sigauke, however, acknowledged that one has to save for that special birthday.
“This is something new in Zimbabwe and only a very few event planners have taken the trend to organise birthday parties for children but it’s definitely a hit in town.”
The Herald Review tracked down one of the event planners who has taken the trend to new levels in Harare. Former beauty queen, Miss Mutare 2002 and 2003, Mrs Monica Mashavave-Makunike who owns Tiny Tots World Wonder Zimbabwe which caters for children’s birthdays said the move was a new trend all over the world.
“It’s a new trend that is mainly focused on making children’s dreams come true. In the modern day, children are surrounded by technology such as video games, internet and the television with various cartoon characters that they are attached to so our business comes in as an answer to every child’s dream,” she said.
Among the packages offered are themed plates, balloons, lanterns, party boxes and cups, personalised banners and drinking water bottle labels. “The idea is making their dreams a reality from Ben 10, Spider-man, Batman, Barbie, Hello Kitty and the list goes on. Ultimately, the idea is creating that event that your child remembers for a lifetime.
“The services cater for all children from different backgrounds with various packages so people can choose according to their budget. “Zimbabweans are excited about this idea and we have been hosting up to five events a day while people in the Diaspora have also been in contact to surprise their loved ones,” she said.
Mrs Mashavave-Makunike said the business thrives on being unique as they cater for individuals’ needs while paying particular attention to the clients’ specifications. “The business sounds new but it is ever growing as Zimbabweans make an effort to move with the world trends,” she said. She said Tiny Tots World Zimbabwe was started by coincidence when the former beauty queen attended a children’s party for the underprivileged.
“The children, initially, looked hopeless but after receiving presents their faces lit up. It was at that party that I said to myself ‘I think I should make every child’s birthday a special event’. “Besides having been a beauty queen between 2002 and 2003 and a Miss Zimbabwe finalist I got to learn about different backgrounds and making children’s birthdays special.
“Most of us grew up in large families and we never celebrated birthdays. The motivation behind these special birthdays is the need to bring a change to the lives we were exposed to when we were growing up,” she said.
According to Martha Stewart, an international birthday planner, birthday parties are like road trips: getting there is half the fun. “Deciding on the theme, decorations, and activities makes the days leading up to the event seem like part of the celebration itself. “It needn’t be elaborate — kids will be happy with a small party as long as they are made to feel special.
“Even a simple party requires planning; the sooner you start organising, the earlier the excitement begins and the fewer details you’ll have to work out on the day itself,” she said. Zimbabwe has always had its own share of trend-setting but while there is a general argument on the costs involved, the debate still rages on whether one has to spend so much for that special birthday for your child.
Now added to wedding planning, event management, cakes and all the fun, Zimbabwe is hooked to the birthday planner just for that memorable birthday.
Feedback: [email protected]
Online Reporter