Night life in Chegutu

cannot miss.
The small town, which a former prominent white farmer referred to as his “compound” because of its proximity to his farm is not only popular because of the farming activities, but was once home to luminaries like businessman Phillip Chiyangwa and English Premiership footballer Benjani Mwaruwari.

Back in the day Mwaruwari played soccer for Lulu Rovers while Chiyangwa actually kick started his business in the town selling tomatoes.
The main entertainment by then was “nyau dance” as most of the people who worked for the former farmers were of Malawian origin where the dance originated. However, things changed after Zimbabwe’s land reform programme that saw hundreds of indigenous people being allocated land on the surrounding farms.

As a result, people like the former infamous white farmer who referred to Chegutu as his compound was not spared either, had to leave paving way for new owners. This move saw a shift in the type of entertainment within the town, since locals were not keen on nyau. Entertainment, in the form of clubbing, became popular following the introductions of joints to cater for different taste. The city has become home to several local artists who now throng Chegutu every weekend for shows, making it a hive of entertainment.

Chegutu has played host to big names in the music industry that include sungura maestro Alick Macheso, Tongai Moyo, Somandla Ndebele, the rhumba outfit – BV Labien and Suluman Chimbetu. Chimbetu seems to have followed his late father Simon’s footsteps, by regularly holding gigs in the town where the family owns several properties, including a farm.

It goes without saying that each time such big artistes hold gigs in the town, revellers from as far as Harare, Chinhoyi, Kadoma and even Kwekwe throng the town, just to partake in the dancing and festivities.
However, those who come for entertainment would agree that the small town is not for the faint-hearted as one would certainly mingle with people from very wide and diverse backgrounds.

The city, through small in a physical sense, is big in stature and portfolio. It is home to different nationalities that include Malawians, Mozambicans, South Africans, Zambians and even Congolese.
Entertainment joints such as beer-halls, sports bars and clubs have increased in number as compared to the number of retail shops. This simply shows that people are really taking their revelling seriously and are downing a glass or two of beer every day. To most residents, a day without downing two or more would not be a good one, not to mention having a little extra cash for braai especially at night when most clubs get “real hot” as “joy” begins to take shape.

Late night time is when much of the activities begin to unfold as revellers spend their money, which they would have realised from selling farm produce, gold panning or firewood – which has suddenly become a new source of energy due to erratic power supplies.

One thing about this small town is that there are beer consumers who live, eat and sleep alcohol no matter what time of day it is.
To them everyday is a beer day.

With hot spots that include Eddie’s Kite Club, Melrose Place (PaKwinji), Formak, Sole Mar, Patsime, Continental, Chegutu Arms, Bagdhad, Top 3, Dot Com as well as Lee’s night clubs, one hardly misses the fun as these night spots strive to give people quality time until one drops.

During the night people of different stature find themselves a suitable bar that comforts them and they “loosen it”.
Posh cars become the order of the day in the town centre where some of the up-market clubs like the Continental, Sole Man and Chegutu Hotel situated along the Harare/Bulawayo highway would be high on entertainment. These spots are frequented by the well heeled, who can afford to pay an extra dollar to have a good time.

Ladies of the night who used to mill around the two spots have since come up with new tactics where they now sit inside the clubs probably because of the raids by police.
Although there is not much activity in terms of dancing or playing of loud music in these up-market clubs, those from the “ghetto” try to fit in as they are seen drinking their “scuds” in a corner.