My Bulawayo—Sherine Anne Taylor’s Guide to the City

WRITER: SWAHILI COAST FOODI BLOG PHOTOGRAPHY: BANFF LODGE, THE ORANGE ELEPHANT SHOP, AMALINDA SAFARI COLLECTION

he Bulawayo-born events and social media consultant, Sherine Anne Taylor, is perfectly placed to offer a fascinating insight into Zimbabwe’s second largest city. Bulawayo, in south-west Zimbabwe, is known by many tourists as the gateway to the Matopos (Matobo) National Park, but Sherine encourages visitors to spend some time in the city to discover its rich culture, great food, fascinating history and exciting events.

 WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT BULAWAYO? There is a really strong sense of family and ‘village’ within the Bulawayo community so visitors will definitely feel that friendly spirit when they visit.

 WHAT ARE THE BEST PLACES TO TAKE A VISITOR? My favourite place is the Matopos (also called Matobo) National Park some 35 kilometres south of Bulawayo where a ‘must see’ are the white and black rhinos. I also love the Bulawayo (or National) Railway Museum for all its history and the really incredible manager/curator Gordon Murray, who is a wealth of knowledge and has many fascinating facts to share about the railways and trains of Zimbabwe—and beyond!

 WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE VIEW? World’s View (also called Malindidzimu Hill) in the Matopos (Matobo) National Park is the best for me. There are incredible views from here and it is also a site of spiritual significance for the indigenous Ndebele people This is the burial place of Cecil John Rhodes, the 19th-century imperialist after whom Rhodesia was named.

 WHAT ACTIVITY DO YOU MOST ENJOY? I’m a passionate foodie person so I enjoy trying out new places to eat. Of course a great place to start any foodie exploration of Bulawayo is Banff Lodge, well-known for its awesome food, good wine and great atmosphere. It’s also a really great place to stay if you are exploring the area.  WHAT LOCAL DISHES/FOOD IS THE REGION KNOWN FOR? These are some of the local dishes you might like to try: umxhanxa—maize and a melon mixed together with sugar; samp mixed with peanut butter; cooked maize, groundnuts and round nut; perhaps even amathumbu— cows’ intestines—and the really adventurous might like to sample dried mopane worm, a dish known as amacimbi.

 ANY LOCAL TRADITIONAL DRINKS? Umqomboti is a beer made from maize and sorghum.

 WHAT’S BULAWAYO’S BEST KEPT SECRET? My first choice would be the National Art Gallery, an amazing hub of creativity and culture that is often overlooked. Similarly, visitors should discover the Bulawayo drumming group, Drums of Peace, who are famous for their interactive drumming. Many visitors might not have heard of the Bulawayo Arts Awards (officially titled Roil Bulawayo Arts Awards) that recognise the talents of local artists in the city and wider Matabeleland North and South. The event is packed with great performances and should have taken place on 29 August of this year but was cancelled. Also, the Spar Bonsa Cancer Walk is a fun event in aid of

those suffering with the condition and is held every year in September. The 7.6-kilometre event involves running, walking and cycling around the Hillside area of Bulawayo. The Hillside Dams Festive Art and Craft Fair is an exciting bi-annual showcase for artists and craftsmen from around the country.

 ANY SPECIAL EVENTS DURING THE YEAR? The PPC Matopos Marathon is a 33-miler ultramarathon held annually. The Dwala Health and Fitness Fair and Fun Walk to raise funds for children with cancer takes places alongside a family fun day featuring live entertainment, fitness activities and team sports. The Intwasa Arts Festival koBulawayo is an amazing multi-disciplinary arts festival that brings together dance, theatre, music, film, literary arts, visual arts, spoken word and fashion within one platform.  FAVOURITE SHOP? The Orange Elephant. It’s the best place to find really authentic crafts or souvenirs as it supports talented Zimbabwean craftsmen and women.

 MOST INTERESTING BUILDINGS? The National Art Gallery and the Bulawayo Club because they are filled with so much history connected to Bulawayo. Big Bhawa (Big Bar), one of the biggest bars in the country, is an intriguing place located in Makokoba which is the oldest township and the first black African suburb in Bulawayo; it is a really historical place. The Nesbitt Castle, located in the suburbs of Bulawayo, is a quirky 19th-century, Gothic-style building that is now a boutique hotel (but currently under refurbishment).

 WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT? Bulawayo has incredible weather all year round. My favourite time of the year is mid-spring (October–November) to summer because this is the time the jacaranda trees bloom and decorate our city like a bride before her wedding. ■

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