Last year, Ingwebu Breweries, run by Bulawayo Municipal Commercial Undertaking, were dogged by a number of viability problems which resulted in the closure of 16 council beer halls- including Manuwere beer garden in Mzilikazi, Elangeni in Tshabalala, Pumula beer hall and Sizinda beer hall.
At the time of the closure BMCU was reportedly incurring huge losses. Limited packaged beer capacity had constrained effective market execution and growth.
“I used to sell roasted meat to beer patrons at Elangeni before the beer hall was closed. I had regular customers who used to buy my meat. The money which I used to get from vending there helped me to send my children to school,” said Peter Malumo, a local vendor.
Another vendor, Grace Ndlovu said she used to sell sadza and trotters (Mazondo) to imbibers at the entrance of Sizinda bar. But following the closure of the bar her life has turned upside down.
“Sizinda bar was my livelihood. At times I would take home more than $50 per day – especially on pay days,” she said.
Christopher Maguwa, a former patron of Elangeni beer hall said he was now travelling more than two kilometres to buy opaque at Nketa suburb.
“A lot of people are now being mugged these days because they travel a lot of distance to get drunk. For example the whole of Tshabalala is now left with only two beer outlets out of the four which we used to have “said Maguwa.
He also urged council to consider re-opening the beer halls.
Last year, the Bulawayo City council appointed a new board to run Ingwebu Breweries following the dismissal of the one led by Israel Ndlovu. The Ndlovu board was accused of closing the beer gardens in various suburbs without consulting the local authority for approval, raising an outcry from clients and residents.
Irked by the closure, BCC responded by dismissing three of the board members by not renewing their terms of office.
The city fathers immediately gave the Ingwebu management a directive to re-open the closed beer gardens forthwith – but up to now the directive has not been implemented.
The council had also rejected the initial board’s request to borrow $1, 25 million to purchase new machinery to allow it to complete favourably with rivals.
The mayor of Bulawayo, Thaba Moyo, said the council had resolved to tender the Ingwebu Franchise.
“The process of selecting the participants has been completed.The Franchise business will start operating as soon as all parties are ready,” he said.
Post published in: News