Published by the government of Zimbabwe
21 June 2008
Harare — It's rare for an entertainment joint to offer free space to various artistes willing to showcase their wares especially when there is an opportunity to charge rent for such space.
Harare businesswoman, Abigail Billie, is accommodating artists from in and around Ruwa at the KwaMother Hide-Out as part of giving back to the community.
Sculptors can be seen carving their wares while dance groups go through their routines, benefiting from the 33-year-old businesswoman's generosity. The joint has become popular with revellers as it is now hosting popular musicians, like Sulumani Chimbetu while the staff looks well groomed. Most importantly, beer is sold at cheap prices compared to most entertainment joints in the capital and beyond. "I had never dreamt of running a hide-out or a bar the whole of my life. Over the years, I have been busy with my saloons in the capital (trading as Princes Hair Solon) and furniture shops.
"But I was persuaded by a friend to try this and it finally worked for me," she said. While the place caters mainly for those that drive, Billie said she had also wanted to involve some locals in the project in the form of artists. "I felt it was also proper to involve the locals in this initiative and sculptors are the biggest winners here as they do their work for free. By so doing, we are also promoting their art works to our patrons who come here. "As you have seen, diplomats, international art buyers, politicians and some celebrities are here and who knows, they might be interested in their wares. "It's not about me competing with men. But for me, I am happy because I have also ventured into a field that was once a preserve of men and things are beginning to happen.
"My vision is to see this place becoming a one-stop joint for art wares as well as a leisurely joint that satisfies people's needs," she concluded.
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