HARARE businessman Stephen Margolis on Wednesday met with officials from the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) and other stakeholders in the arts industry to discuss how the Stephen Margolis Resort could be converted into an entertainment hub after the Harare Municipality banned shows at the Harare Gardens.
WINSTONE ANTONIO OWN CORRESPONDENT
The Harare City Council barred artistes from using the popular open–air venue in May citing noise pollution after receiving complaints from residents in the Avenues area and tourism players.
The decision led to a venue crisis for promoters, entertainment managers and filmmakers as most other leisure spots were oversubscribed.
Promoters have had to improvise with a new venue being unveiled at the Civic Grounds on Tuesday.
The venue has been named Sunset Arena.
NACZ director Elvas Mari urged local authorities to appreciate that artistes were a key stakeholder in the preservation of culture.
“We are happy that our engagement with Stephen Margolis will go a long way on the showbiz scene. One of our major challenges in the sector is the issue of venues,” Mari said.
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“As a council we believe in professionalism and we want our venues to meet the international standards to develop the artistes for international performance.” Mari said there must be many venues outside the central business district which meet a certain standard.
The meeting was also attended by NACZ deputy director Nicholas Moyo, Tsungi Zvobgo, Winky D’s manager Jonathan Banda, promoters Biggie Chinoperekwei and Partson Chimbodza of Chipaz Promotions, Davis Guzha, NACZ assistant director Audrey Charamba and musician Victor Kunonga among others.
Margolis said although the resort was primarily used as a wedding venue, they were happy to engage stakeholders in the entertainment sector and work together. “We are happy to work with members in the entertainment sector as we seek to utilise this place which many know as a wedding venue by giving the platform to artistes and promoters to stage their shows,” Margolis said.
Stephen Margolis Resort sits on 60 acres of land hidden from view in a lush, gently sloping valley in Derbyshire. It has a restaurant and bar, separate gazebos and conference rooms’ which makes it an entertainment hub.
