Daisy Leisure Group sets the pace

Standard Style
What started as weekend home in Mazvikadei for the Chifamba family is expanding into a huge tourism business under the Daisy Hotels and Leisure Group, catering for both the domestic and international markets, said Harare businessman, Hopewell Chifamba.

What started as weekend home in Mazvikadei for the Chifamba family is expanding into a huge tourism business under the Daisy Hotels and Leisure Group, catering for both the domestic and international markets, said Harare businessman, Hopewell Chifamba.

BY ALBERT MASAKA

“We began by buying a weekend home in Mazvikadei and would invite friends and relatives. Impressed by the experience, they started calling us many times, so that they would enjoy themselves there and that is when we mooted the idea of converting it into a lodge,” Chifamba told The Standard Style last week.

“We then got a licence and a three-star grading and our plans are to add at least 20 more rooms. We are glad that the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) are fighting all forms of corruption and have advised to weed out all unregistered lodges.”

Chifamba said the group, which is eyeing both international and domestic tourists, is confident and well-poised for further growth in the new political dispensation after the ZTA promised to remove barriers to entry in the hospitality industry that were hindering new entrants.

“The thrust by the new dispensation is so positive in the sense that the ZTA held a stakeholders’ meeting recently on domestic tourism, to make all Zimbabweans aware of domestic tourism, which fits in well with our projects as they have promised to remove barriers to entry in a predominantly white- dominated area,” he said.

Daisy Hotels and Leisure Group was formed in 2005 and employs 35 people. It has two lodges, Daisy Executive Lodge which is situated at 135 Club Drive in Mazvikadei and Daisy Farmview Lodge in Glen Forest, as well as the Livv Pub and Grill and Punters Take-Away at the Borrowdale Race Course.

Daisy Executive Lodge has seven bedrooms, two executive suites and three standard rooms and a two-bedroomed cottage.

“For large groups, we have synergies with other lodges within Mazvikadei Resort, which gives us access to an additional 100 rooms. We also have access to a large conference room which can take up to 120 people and a 30-seater indoor conference and a 50-seater Gazebo conference area overlooking the dam,” Chifamba said.

Daisy Executive Lodge also operates a 20-seater registered and licensed pontoon to ferry residents for site viewing. Other activities include, boat cruising, horse riding, crocodile viewing and braai.

For children, there is boat cruising, dam wall tour, crocodile viewing and ball games.

On the outskirts of Harare lies Daisy Farmview Lodge comprising 10 bedrooms, one executive suite and nine standard rooms, pool area bar and a 100-seater conference room.

“Under construction is a glass house conference/functions facility which can take up to 500-600 people and 6 (50-seater) outside conference facilities and a coffee shop. The entertainment centre has three bars, butchery and a performance stage,” said Chifamba.

The group owns the popular Livv Pub and Grill located at the Borrowdale Race Course, an upmarket pub and grill which offers breakfast, lunch, dinner and pub nights.

“Patrons are entertained by live jazz bands on Thursdays by Victor Kunonga and Sundays by Jabavu Drive. It is popular for its African pot which offers a variety of African dishes like oxtail, roadrunner, Malawian bream, guru, hanga, beef and pork bones. It also offers corporate and private functions. For the sports enthusiasts it offers healthy breakfasts and lunches,” he said.

There is a Punters’ Lounge under Mashonaland Turf Club which offers betting on horse racing mingled with Phumelela of South Africa to give punters very attractive tote odds in addition, registered bookmakers also stand at every race meeting which increases the range of betting products which includes betting on sports like soccer, rugby and cricket, among others.

The lounge doubles as Livvs’ Private Lounge, where punters can have access to food and drinks in a serene environment plus plenty of free secure parking. Patrons can enjoy their food and drink on the balconies.

Also, there is the Punters Inn, an upmarket take-away situated at Borrowdale Race Course, which is open to the public and punters during office hours.

All joints are open daily and advance bookings and orders are accepted.

The group employs qualified chefs, well-trained and equipped house keepers, experienced professional waiters/waitresses and barmen.

Livvs’ Private Lounge manager, Wadzanai Gumbo, who boasts of over 18 years of experience in the entertainment business, said local artists are free to come and perform at family events.

“It’s a family-friendly environment. People can bring their children as food and drinks are available. Because of our strategic location, we get huge numbers,” said Gumbo.

Gumbo said the venue was ideal for everyone attributing to the presence of a balcony with an open space suitable for outdoor activities.

She said they have lined up shows with international artists this year and invited top chefs from across the globe to come and give our clients a taste of their dishes.