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Langalakhe Mabena
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IN the City of Kings at one celebrated entertainment joint, Wednesdays are preserved for ladies.

This is because Cubana Cigar Lounge and its backdoor sibling Havana understand the social and work pressures that women go through every day, and thus, they have dedicated Wednesdays to women to kick back and unwind over cocktails.

This is also a place where the “who is who” of Bulawayo, be it in business, academia, showbiz and sports meet.

For the past five years, Cubana has been running its Cocktail Wednesday events, which have somehow become the culture of the city.

A bevy of beauties dedicate Wednesday as a special day where they meet and catch up over the cocktails, which will be slashed to half price on the night, something that even attracts men.

One lady who identified herself as Sphamadla Sibanda said she was introduced to the Wednesday cocktails in December by a friend.

“I’m not a person who goes out regularly, but, when I visited Cubana for the first time in December with my friend, I just fell in love with the atmosphere of the place as it allowed me to socialise and catch up with friends that we had gone for long without catching up.

“After that outing, I’ve seen myself becoming a regular here and I don’t miss a single episode of the Cocktail Wednesdays as the place allows me to unwind from work pressure,” said Sibanda.

At Cubana, Wednesdays are made for women and they also encourage women empowerment as most staff members who are employed at the joint are women.

During the exhibition week of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) last week, locals and delegates at the trade fair from different parts of the country as well as the international community were treated to a top-notch special edition of the cocktails.

Mesmerising the audience with music on the night were female DJs Fifi as well as Just Drey who are arguably the fast-rising and consistent upcoming wheel spinners.

Ntando Ndlovu, who is the marketing consultant for Cubana, said on the particular ZITF gig, they wanted to lead a unique Bulawayo experience to the visitors who had a chance to witness the two female DJs who are making waves in the Bulawayo showbiz lice on decks.

“The concept of this night (Cocktail Wednesdays) has built up over so many years into what I’ll arguably call the best place to be during the week. Ladies appreciate our cocktails specials as they are used to it because the concept has been running for five years and with time, it just got better and better.

“During the ZITF week, we brought in two of Bulawayo’s versatile and hottest up-and-coming female DJs, DJ Fifi and Just Drey who was part of the past Munch & Sip, as well as the Victoria Falls Carnival, something that proves she is quite and an esteemed wheelspinner.

“On the ZITF night, we gave our patrons from all over the country, Africa and the world, a very unique Bulawayo experience which was led by these two top female DJs who were joined on the decks by our residential DJs as well.

“We selected the two DJs in particular because we wanted to make it a night anchored by amazing women as our event is a ladies’ night concept. Therefore, we thought it must be led by these sensational creative DJs and they did justice to the concept,” said Ndlovu.

Just like any other club in town, both Cubana and Havana were hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic business-wise.

For at least a year-and-a-half, the joint was not operating as they adhered to Covid-19 protocols. However, as soon as the Government gave the green light for spots to operate, Cubana would pick herself up, along with her sister Havana, and they both claimed their status in the local showbiz.

“Covid-19 hit us hard because we weren’t allowed to operate as gatherings threatened the spread of the pandemic. But, when the country opened for business, we also managed to pick ourselves up just like any other business operator.

“The recovery wasn’t that easy as most people were used to spending time at their homes then. But, with time, we managed to draw the crowds that we used to attract before the pandemic.

“We’re grateful to our patrons because their support has helped to reclaim our crown as the kings of Wednesdays who take pleasure in hosting and celebrating women in Bulawayo,” said Ndlovu.