By Style Reporter
Local outdoor entertainment and leisure centre, Padziva, which had shelved its popular #OneBigParty to pave way for refurshinent, is set to reintroduce the popular monthly engagement on Saturday as it seeks to reaffirm its position as the capital city’s premier entertainment rendezvous.
The joint, which is the baby of entertainment hub, Jive Zimbabwe, is located on the outskirts of Dzivaresekwa, west of Harare city. It is one of the transformed de facto al fresco entertainment joints trending in the city that have taken over from traditional beer outlets.
Famed for its monthly #OneBigParty — a family event that is held on the last Saturday of every month, bringing artistes, businesspeople and entrepreneurs together — Padziva, according to its manager Sam Mhlanga, needed some embellishments to its facilities and services to give it modern appeal.
“Padziva is an outdoor entertainment and leisure centre, with a cocktail of amenities like braai area, kids’ play area, car wash, and a big screen,” Mhlanga told Standard Style on Friday.
“However, we felt the joint, as popular as it was, needed some kind of sprucing-up and additions to give that total feel. We have added more amenities so that we consolidate our position as the city’s most popular hangout suitable for family outings and getaways.
“We have always wanted to be a community centre, providing locals with a decent place to meet and hang out and the addition of other amenities speaks volume of our vision.”
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Mhlanga said notable additions to the cocktail of facilities and services included a drive-in, game meat and unique signature dishes as well as full car wash valet services.
“We have added services, revamping the set-up to add more comfort and entertainment. Now Padziva gives you that great outdoor feel,” he said.
Mhlanga described the #OneBigParty as a popular activity on the Padziva entertainment calendar.
“#OneBigParty is a franchise established by Jive Zimbabwe that seeks to bring together people celebrating their birthdays, anniversaries, milestones, achievements, awards, anything that made your month every month,” he said.
While the idea initially was to spread the #OneBigParty across town, Padziva seems to be the ultimate host for the event.
“Our vision is to have this day on the same day everywhere where people come together to celebrate. We have activities lined up for each month and last month we hosted Jah Prayzah,” said Mhlanga.
On Saturday under the #OneBigParty, Padziva will celebrate birthdays for March “babies” who include musician Ammi Jamanda, music promoter and former Jive Zimbabwe director Benjamin Nyandoro, music promoter David Mudzudzu of Joy Centre and architect-cum-musician Walter “Papa Sodza” Sonayi.
“This is the first #OneBigParty in the year and it’s open to all that were born in March to celebrate their ‘special’ month,” said Mhlanga.
Apart from music, Padziva also hosts other social gatherings, including birthday parties.
“We have facilities for other social interactions and we also have places for kids to have fun. We have come up with a number of unique concepts that make us different from other players, particularly the #BoyzCanCook, which has taken the scene by storm,” Mhlanga said.
“#BoyzCanCook is a movement of men and women, particularly men who proactively join the ongoing gender activism, dismissing the notion that women belong to the ‘kitchen’.”
Mhlanga said the maiden #BoyzCanCook event held last year was fully subscribed by the merrymakers and the corporate world.
Padziva has hosted a number of prominent artistes and celebrities under the #OneBigParty banner.
The artistes that have graced the event include Jah Signal, Comic, Tatenda Pinjisi, Freeman, Jah Prayzah, Sulumani Chimbetu, Peter Moyo as well as divas Diana “MaNgwenya” Samkange, Jean Masters, Lady Storm, Jamanda, Kadjah and Tendai Chimombe.
