Minister Mzembi to officially open Cape to Cairo on Valentine's Day

TOURISM and Hospitality Minister Walter Mzembi will next month officially open a local pub and restaurant, Cape to Cairo, which has been undergoing renovations for more than a month now.

Cape to Cairo will open its doors to the public on 30 January although the official opening ceremony will be held on Valentine's Day, where Minister Mzembi will be the guest of honour.

The director of Cape to Cairo, Peter Mubi confirmed the dates of the opening also anticipating Mzembi's presence.

"We had initially planned on opening between the 15th and 16th of this month but we couldn't, as Cape to Cairo needs more attention. We will thus be opening on 30 January and will hold an official opening ceremony on Valentine's Day, where Minister Mzembi will officially open the place," said Mubi.

Minister Mzembi who earlier on told journalists at the Victoria Falls Carnival on New Year's Eve that he would officially open Cape to Cairo confirmed this week that he would be officiating at the opening ceremony.

He said he was intrigued with the concept which Cape to Cairo had taken to lure tourists to the spot in an endeavour to boost both the tourism and arts industries.

"I will officially be opening Cape to Cairo pub and restaurant in Bulawayo. The spot is one of the vehicles needed to promote and boost tourism in the country," he said.

Mubi said Cape to Cairo would be a one stop destination not only for tourists but also locals as it would offer a wide range of facilities.

"As I noted in a previous interview Cape to Cairo was known as the meat place, as it used to offer a variety of meat products and a relaxing atmosphere, which had also grown popular with tourists.

"Over the last two years it lost its prominence and luster due to lack of knowledge on the part of the management. We don't want Cape to Cairo to just be known as a pub but a one stop shop, where our clientele can easily access not just entertainment but also basic knowledge on wildlife and other important information about the city and the country," he said.

Cape to Cairo has been undergoing renovations for the past month and a half as it seeks to boost its clientele by moving into the tourism sector through introducing packages that will attract tourists.

Better known in past years as the "meat place" because of its rather extravagant menu, which had a variety of meat products (including game), Cape to Cairo for the greater part of 2014 received more than just negative reviews but also drastically lost popularity from both locals and foreigners.

Mubi added that Cape to Cairo would not only focus on the tourism and hospitality aspect but also work towards developing and promoting artistes both locally and internationally.

"Cape to Cairo aims to create a platform and exposure for upcoming local artistes to perform with established performers from Harare, Africa and overseas. We will be working very closely with Alliance Francaise, German and Italian Arts Academy and Black American Week organisers for exchange programmes and teaching clinics which have long been the preserve for Harare," he said.

Cape to Cairo is renovating both the exterior and interior to feature a whole new experience, which Mubi said hoped to attract a multi-racial clientele base.

The makeover involves swanky but aggressive decor, which includes tiled floors and walls adorned with wildlife trophies, luxurious bars and new furniture.

The renovations also include the restructuring of the stage, seating layout and a garden with a full barbeque set up and fish pond.

Bulawayo is a city endowed with an array of tourist attractions which include various arts and crafts centres and popular restaurants that offer visitors a feel of the rich history and heritage that defines the City of Kings and Queens.