At precisely 9pm, a young stout man clad in a branded black cap and white baseball shirt entered the spacious entertainment facility, flanked by a team of hulky body guards.
Before many in the venue could place a look on his face for recognition, his hosts hastily escorted him to the rear where a mini briefing ensued.
A couple of housekeeping issues were discussed, upon which the entourage returned to the auditorium where the seemingly important guest suddenly burst onto the stage, accompanied - from a solid public address system - by a very familiar musical tune that once topped the local musical charts.
But it was only when he had introduced himself a few moments thereafter that the crowd realised they had a popular entertainer in their midst.
“Zita rangu ndonzi Nox Guni. Ndinobva kuZaka rinopisa,” chanted Nox.
“It's quite a privilege to be here with you tonight, ladies and gentlemen, on this very auspicious occasion in the joyous lives of ghetto reSt Mary’s.
“Ndauya kuzosimbisa nzvimbo,” and the DJ repeated the entry song, Uchandifunga Ndaenda.
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First was the fact that, of all the days of the week, this was a Sunday night, a day and time when people seldom get entreated to this kind of entertainment.
It's a fact that on the next day, many people will be waking up early to prepare for work.
Secondly, artistes of Nox’s calibre are renowned for frequenting upmarket joints for live performances regardless of their music being popular with fans across the age divide.
But Fastrek Sports Bar director Tatenda Kunyete, on this day decided to throw caution to the wind to cap this special day with a form of entertainment that would leave lasting memories in the minds of their patrons.
He explained: “This was our official opening ceremony and we did not want to be found wanting... we wouldn't leave anything to chance.”
“It is said that the first cut is the deepest and we decided to make that cut deep enough for purposes of prosperity with regards to remembrance.
“For our opening ceremony, we thus settled for Nox who is known for his polished live performances and, as you can see, he never disappointed.”
And for a continuous two hours, Nox belted out songs from his long-as-the-arm discography.
Melody, Zvandadiwa Nemwanasikana, Man to Man, Wenera right back to Ndinonyara as the full house sang along.
He proved why he has had to fulfill so many schedules abroad where many-a-promoter has invited him to satiate the musical thirst of especially the multitudes of his foreign fans who have an occasional craving for home music.
Fastrek Sports Bar is a new baby on St Mary’s’ entertainment front, located at Huruyadzo shopping centre in the oldest suburb in Chitungwiza.
Fastrek has decided to settle for a middle to upper middle class clientele and are confident of wooing customers from beyond Chitungwiza if their standards are to be rated.
“We have people here and outside who have a craving for fun, but sometimes get put off by a lack of quality in terms of service and etiquette,” Kunyete said.
“That is the reason we decided to create space that makes them feel comfortable while they spend their hard-earned cash.
“We will also be bringing to their doorstep artistes that they would be spending money to go to town to see. In other words, the ghetto does not deserve to be second best, but equate with all the other places where people have good fun at less travel and cost.”
Apart from the mainly traditional cuisine that makes one feel at home away from home, the new joint also boasts of a state-of-the-art PA system, mounted television sets that make it possible for patrons to follow PSL and other league matches of their choice while there is assurance of safety of their vehicles parked outside.
