adminMelissa Mpofu Showbiz Editor
“EVEN though you’re a celebrity loved by many, we won’t run around and move mountains just because you’re here,” seemed to be what personnel at 26 on Park restaurant in Bulawayo were communicating to former Generations actress and uber-recognisable Sophie Ndaba when she attempted to have dinner there last Friday.
After a long working day, travelling, smiling, posing for photos with fans and signing autographs at Edgars stores in Gweru and Bulawayo, a tired Ndaba got the shock of her life when she discovered that the waiters had reserved a table with not-so-comfortable benches as seats, in a dark area outside.
The fashionista, who was looking forward to a hot sumptuous meal, was dealt a major blow when she learnt that, despite the cold weather, the restaurant had not reserved space for her indoors and that nothing could be done about it.
Even though her booking had been made two days in advance, only two options were available, to enjoy the beautiful gardens and relaxed atmosphere, brave the cold weather and have a cold dinner outside or to look for an alternative restaurant.
“There’s not enough room for you inside. It’s full,” staff at the restaurant told Ndaba and her entourage which had close to 20 people.
As she stood outside with hosts from Edgars, no one seemed to care about her.
She asked: “Am I at least allowed to take a seat?” before pulling a chair while she waited to see if the restaurant would accommodate her.
A few minutes later, nothing had changed and it was at that point that she decided to call it a night and opted to order room service from her hotel room as it was after 10PM.
The small restaurant is housed in a colonial building which seats close to 30 people indoors.
Ndaba and her entourage, who had been booked under Edgars, had delayed hence their failure to be given seats indoors.
“Those guys delayed. They made a booking and said they’d be here between 8PM and 9PM. They contacted us on the day saying 16 people would be coming. We reserved a table for them and when they arrived, they told us they didn’t want to sit outside,” said a 26 on Park employee.
“They came after 9PM, of which the kitchen had closed and we couldn’t accommodate them inside as we were fully booked. There’s no way we were going to start relocating those who were already inside.”
Ndaba, who left Bulawayo for Johannesburg, South Africa, on Saturday afternoon was in the country to launch the Edgars fashion extravaganza. The first launch was in Harare on Thursday, followed by Gweru and Bulawayo on Friday.
Every year, Edgars celebrates the beginning of summer through a Fashion Extravaganza promotion which sees one lucky winner walking away with $10,000 and over $40,000 worth of prizes shared among customers across the country during the six-week duration of the promotion.
She had flown to Bulawayo from Harare on Friday morning and was chauffeur-driven to Gweru for the “Summer with Edgars” launch in the afternoon.
Fortunately, she had a proper meal in Gweru where Chinese food was served for lunch at the Village Lodge.
In comparison to 26 on Park, waiters there seemed more than thrilled to host her. She was treated like a true celebrity with many waiters on standby to offer their services. As a way of showing their appreciation, they offered her complimentary dessert for which she was grateful.
From Gweru, she travelled back to Bulawayo for an Edgars’ red carpet VIP customers’ cocktail in the evening. There, those who attended had a rare opportunity to raise their glasses with Ndaba while rubbing shoulders with the who’s who of the local fashion industry.
After the cocktail, she was whisked away for dinner, after which she had planned to sample the city’s night life. All those plans were ditched after being disappointed by 26 on Park.
Despite the bad encounter, Ndaba was otherwise met with warmness.
Upon arrival at the Holiday Inn in Bulawayo on Friday where she spent a night, Ndaba experienced hospitality at its best. Her check in was conducted swiftly with hotel attendants looking visibly smitten by her. She returned the favour by smiling back and waving, before dashing to her executive suite to take a quick bath in preparation for the cocktail.
The national carrier, Air Zimbabwe, which flew Ndaba from Harare to Bulawayo, was not to be outdone as the captain from time to time updated her on where they were while constantly advising fellow passengers that they were travelling with a celebrity.
Ndaba, who was raised in Harare and Bulawayo, said she had enjoyed her stay home and was already looking forward to her next visit to the country.
derick.khumalo