Zimbabwe: Book Cafe and Mannenberg to close

PAMBERI TRUST

Managing Creativity ~ Home-grown Resources

NOTICE TO OUR PARTNERS, ARTISTS AND ALL STAKEHOLDERS
BOOK CAFE AND MANNENBERG WILL CLOSE

CONTACT PERSON
Paul Brickhill, Creative Director
Tel: +263-4-336377
[email protected]

After 7,500 concerts and functions in books, poetry and music, 650 public discussions, over 70 book launches, 35 theatre productions, staging of 250 international touring acts and countless new local acts and collaborations that emerged within Harare’s iconic music and performing arts centre, Book Cafe and Mannenberg, will close its doors to the public in Fife Avenue Shopping Mall.

I returned from an overseas trip recently to news that the owners of our shopping centre, OK Zimbabwe Pension Fund and its agents Old Mutual Property, had served notice on all tenants in the building that they intend to occupy the premises from 2012. Representations to owners and agents have proved to no avail.

We are aware we could have legally fought eviction, which is not fully transparent in our opinion, and motivated some kind of mass petition locally and abroad. But ‘taking on’ financial, property and retail conglomerates may not have been easy.

Suffice to say that we are satisfied we have acquitted our obligations for 15 years, paying more rent than the property is worth; I am not sure the same would be said of our landlords, who acted without understanding of cultural or civic needs of the city, outside what may constitute public interest, with profit uppermost, enforcing 500-700 percent rent increments in four years during the ‘recovery period’ of economic collapse, and not having repaired a single feature of our premises that we can recall. I could go on.

Therefore, we have quietly and effectively laid plans for our future. We will announce our new premises soon. There will be a brief hiatus, since moving this kind of operation is never easy, and quite costly. There are, however, specific advantages to this move, and while it has been forced on us, “re-invention” is sometimes welcome. We hope, for example, to re-open the bookshop, and expand core elements of the operation. We will take the opportunity to adjust and improve every part of the venue and development activities, with performance, workshop, meeting and training spaces, food and beverage, and some new activities.

Therefore, we are positive and resolute and not at all downhearted. It will be our fourth move in 30 years. In the coming year, we will do everything we can to purchase a permanent home because we don’t want to be dependent on landlords.

Please read the attached press release. More information will follow.

Esteemed artists and arts partners, please be assured that the artists’ and arts development future at Book Cafe is secured and bookings will follow shortly.

Paul Brickhill, Creative Director

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