New conference centre lights up Marondera

By The Standard | Jan. 24, 2016

Hope/Fay Hotel and Conference Centre, formerly Marondera Hotel, which recently opened, has revived the usually sleepy town with a line-up of scintillating entertainment programmes.

Jairos Saunyama

This has resulted in the joint becoming a favourite to many.

Hope-Fay-Conference-Centre

The conference centre which is owned by the Women University of Africa was refurbished into a state-of-the-art centre after its former owners left due to the deteriorating economic conditions in Zimbabwe.

In 2013, Marondera Hotel was an eyesore with residents expressing concerns that it had become a hub for social vices.

However, acting manager No-thando Majoni told this paper that the joint is now a one-stop-shop that strives to provide lacking essentials to residents and visitors.

“Marondera needed a place for its residents to relax and connect, given that its the pinnacle of Mashonaland East Province,” she said. “The opening of Hope/Fay centre gave people reason to celebrate. We are overwhelmed by the response from the community.

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“We have a vision of providing a one-stop-shop for all guest requirements such as accommodation, food, drink and entertainment that also caters for all age groups.”

Majoni said the centre will ensure that it provides entertainment to its diverge clientele.

“We have to consider those who like Zimdancehall, jazz, Old School [Golden oldies Fridays], sungura through various functions we host in pursuit of entertainment,” she said.

Before the opening of the centre, Marondera had two entertainment joints — The Legends and Redrat Outdoor.

Moreover, the farming town located 72km east of Harare experienced a crisis after the closure of Marondera Hotel, which saw visitors to the town seeking accommodation in other towns like Macheke and Rusape.

Hope/Fay Hotel and Conference Centre derives its name from local academics and gender activists Hope Sadza and Fay Chung.