Despite the pandemic forcing Zimbabwe’s tourism and hospitality industry into lockdown for most of 2020, enterprise and innovation has helped sustain this dynamic sector through difficult times. Three intrepid enterprises in the south-western city of Bulawayo were asked to share their inspiring accounts of how enterprise and innovation is boosting destination Bulawayo.
Banff Lodge
“The initial lockdown was a shock!” says Lisa Dixon, general manager at Banff Lodge, but she explains the staff quickly used the absence of patrons to renovate the accommodation, restaurant and bar. Lisa recalled as lockdown continued the team creatively reviewed their operations: “We had time to see what businesses abroad were doing and to see what better services we could offer to our customers.”
Bulawayo locals responded enthusiastically to the initiatives that followed. “Locals came out in force when the restaurant was open,” says Lisa. Social distancing requirements and rising local demand led Bulawayo restaurants like Banff Lodge to introduce reservations for the first time. Lisa welcomes this approach as businesses are better able to plan their staff and stock requirements. When lockdown measures prevented on-site dining, the team looked to other service options. “The take-away service is very successful,” reports Lisa, “It was our saving grace last year.” Previously, such meals accounted for 1% of restaurant turnover and were a hassle for the kitchen staff already doing a full restaurant service. Banff Lodge now offers a range of tasty takeaways, including many nutritious meals, all created to the highest restaurant standards and promoted via their expanding social media activity.
The new dishes feature fresh produce from the vegetable project started last year at the enterprise’s estate in the western Matobo Hills. In response to rising expenditure, the business planted a sizeable vegetable plot and it has now tripled in size. Lisa explains: “We are now feeding the customers, the farm guys, our serving and former staff.” Surplus lettuce is even supplied to local chicken keepers in exchange for eggs.
On the same estate, construction began last year on a 10-room luxury lodge to complement the existing Shashani Matobo Hills property operated by Zambezi Cruise & Safaris. Guests travelling to both properties have the opportunity to stop off at Banff Lodge as part of their itinerary.
Banff Lodge’s initiative was recognised at the national Megafest Business Awards last year where they were runner up for the “Professional Service” category. The 17-strong Banff Lodge team remain resilient while waiting for safer times to return.
The Orange Elephant
At The Orange Elephant, lockdown seriously impacted both co-owner Violette Kee-Tui’s trade in local art, crafts and homewares plus the livelihoods of those who made them. “This became a real crisis for our artists and craftspeople” says Violette, “So many of them relied on the tourists markets of Victoria Falls and elsewhere.” Violette and co-owner Paul Hubbard, however, were determined to offer support despite their own precarious circumstances: “We continued to buy stock and give some advances to keep them going.”
When the shop did open, Violette saw Bulawayo shoppers increasingly discover the retail offerings on their doorstep: “There has been more recognition of the diversity and quality of local products.” Violette reveals the business is busy preparing for trading after lockdown: “We have been renovating and ‘spring cleaning’. There will be a whole new look to the shop.” This will include new stock. Violette also has exciting plans for workshops, exhibitions, book launches and children’s activities while also expanding their blossoming business in new and rare books whose authors or subjects are linked to the country. Violette hopes such activity will see more cultural activities integrated into itineraries for tourists. This enterprising spirit is certainly helping to give artists and craftspeople the recognition and rewards they deserve.
Hillside Dams Conservancy
For Muziwakhe Nhlamba, Estate Manager of the Hillside Dams Conservancy nature and leisure attraction, the main focus was cash: “The biggest challenge was securing the income flow to conserve our ecosystem.” The not-for-profit provides an oasis of tranquillity some 8km from central Bulawayo. It prides itself on education and conservation while also being an exciting cultural venue. “Despite lockdown we had a lot of people support us,” says Nhlamba, “We managed to stay afloat and balance the books.” This enabled staff to preserve the site while running a series of activities, including school visits and family nature trails. Nhlamba also recalls that Mother Nature was also benevolent: “The positive side of 2020 was that we had big rains! It’s a sign of good things to come for us!” This includes resuming canoeing with new craft, the catering team is ready to use their new pizza oven, construction should start on a “confidence” (or assault) course and there is a programme of exciting events.
Nhlamba remains fully committed to his work: “I am motivated to continue achieving more and reach the targets we set.” Looking forward, the conservancy plans to become a trust in order to improve both operations and governance. This will be essential in order to tackle rising challenges, including the encroachment of illegal rock breakers threatening the conservancy’s granite formations and pre-historic rock paintings. Nhlamba eloquently sums up the province’s tourism and hospitality prospects with the words: “Bulawayo continues to see there is ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ with growth and change in a positive way.”
Top image: Walkers visiting Hillside Dams.
All images appearing in How enterprise and innovation is boosting destination Bulawayo are reproduced by permission of the businesses and organisations featured.
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