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Alliance Française de Harare marks 60th anniversary

By Entertainment Writer Sunday, 11 September 2011 13:07 AddThis Social Bookmark Button HARARE - Three hundred of Harare’s most influential figures will attend celebrations to mark Alliance Française de Harare’s 60th anniversary on September 15. The cultural centre has organised a garden party featuring ambassadors, dignitaries, corporate executives and cultural figures. David Coltart, Minister of Education, Sport and Culture, will be one of the guests at the celebrations that will focus on the cultural relationship between France and Zimbabwe after 60 years of collaboration. After being served with champagne, wine and various kinds of tasty dishes provided by Alliance’s sponsors Spar and Spar Braeside Tops, attendees will be treated to a musical performance by renowned Kenyan group Gargar. This all-female music group, revelation of the programme Spotlight & Kenyan music, will offer, thanks to the support of African Synergy, their first international concert on the day. On September 16, Alliance Française de Harare will celebrate with all its members, students, partners, friends and anyone who wishes to enjoy the return of Funkalicious! All the usual ingredients — a fantastic international guest DJ, a great live act and a wicked local DJ — will be combined to offer a terrific night of exclusive and first quality music that will keep audiences on the floor until the sunrise. The international guest DJ will be Kid Fonque (SoulCandi Records, Jo’burg) who is back for his second Funkalicious show after an unforgettable gig in 2010. Fonque’s taste and selection is eclectic and includes electro, dubstep, hip-hop, drum ‘n’ bass and much more. The live act will be Gargar, a quartet from Garissa, North Eastern Kenya, made up of women of Somali origin. The group made their journey to stardom thanks to Spotlight on Kenyan Music a cultural programme initiated by Alliance Francaise de Nairobi. They released their debut album Garissa Express in 2010 to critical acclaim. Garissa Express features songs that are uniquely traditional and in keeping with Somali language and sounds, yet arranged and recorded with modern instrumentation to keep it relevant to the present day. Charles Houdart, the director of Alliance Française de Harare said celebrating their 60th anniversary was an opportunity to acknowledge the time and efforts that each and every director, worker, student, partner and volunteer has contributed to the success of the institute. “It is also the occasion to define new orientations that will guide our future projects. Change and continuity are the two words that define our policy for the next decades. “Continuity since our future actions will be driven on the basis of the same values we share with all members of our network, among them respect for cultural diversity, non-political or non-religious commitments, passion for exchanges and solidarity and values of the not-for-profit sector. “Continuity because our three essential tasks will remain the same : offering French classes for all, spreading awareness of French and Francophone culture according to our belief that oversee change since we have to implement continually innovative teaching methods to enable each student to master the French language as quickly as possible and to regularly adapt our offer of French classes to the needs of our local audience,” said Charles Houdart. And Alliance Française de Harare has a history. On April 19, 1951, 200 people were attending the formation meeting of the Cercle de l’Alliance Française de Salisbury, in the Salisbury Polytechnic. As the Consul for France, the Comte de Warren, said to The Rhodesia Herald at that time, the purposes and aims of this new organisation were to further French culture and language in Salisbury and to organise both cultural and social activities. He added that this new club will be concerned with the exchange of cultures —bringing French highlights to Zimbabwe and vice versa. That was 60 years ago. In those years, many things have changed; Rhodesia became Zimbabwe, Salisbury was renamed Harare and this young French club grew up and took the name of Alliance Française de Harare. In 60 years, this local organisation became an institution, member of a network of more than 1 000 committees operating in more than 135 countries. But in 60 years, the ambition of what is called now the Alliance Française de Harare has not changed; its main missions remain the teaching of French language and the promotion of French speaking. During the years, passionate devotees and volunteers have worked to establish a dynamic institution that has come to symbolise the strength of the friendship between France and Zimbabwe. Today, thanks to their efforts, the Alliance Française de Harare should not be ashamed of proclaiming itself the reference to learn French language and one of the most important cultural centres in town. “It is now time to celebrate together these 60 years of efforts, friendship and fun. It will be an opportunity to thank all the devotees and volunteers who worked hard to establish the Alliance Française de Harare as it is today and all our students, members, partners and friends who came to our French classes and events and helped us to establish rich and successful cultural exchanges,” said Hourdat. Alliance Française is currently offering intensive classes (3 weeks session with four classes a week), twice a week programme (2 months session with 2 classes a week), weekend classes (on Saturday), conversational classes, private tuition, French classes for children on Saturday morning (from 5 years old), Corporate classes and more.

Getting Around Harare

Harare is very spread out. The best option to get around is by car, which is easier now that dollarization has made fuel shortages a thing of the past. Fuel is freely available at most outlets for cash or through a coupon system. Most operators now import fuel by themselves and prices are independently set. Most service stations close at around p.m. although there are a number that offer 24-hour service. Taxis: in 4+1 style taxis, it is very common to fit as many as 8 people inside. Rides around town should cost about $5 for the entire cab at night, typically $2 or $3 during the day, unless you are going to the suburbs. Make sure you negotiate the price before you get inside the car Minibus taxis are readily available with frequent services between central and all suburbs. Ask around for the terminal for your destination. Typically the fare is about $1.

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Harare, Zimbabwe: 10 Things You Should Know | Afribiz.info

Harare, Zimbabwe: 10 Things You Should Know | Afribiz.info

After a decade of lying almost dormant, business and leisure tourism are bouncing back in Zimbabwe’s capital alongside the rest of the country’s economy. Tourism grew 2.8% in the first half of 2009 and authorities predict 100,000 new tourism jobs will be created before the end of the year, and the 2010 Soccer World Cup is likely to boost tourist numbers too.

1. Getting there and away

British Airways, Air France KLM, Virgin Atlantic and Qatar Airways all fly regular routes into Zimbabwe. Several African airlines also service routes into Zimbabwe’s Harare International Airport, including local carrier Air Zimbabwe, as well as Kenya Airways and Ethiopian Airlines.

You do not require a visa if you are a resident in a southern African country. Australian, Canadian, USA and EU nationals can get a 90-day visa upon entering Zimbabwe, but will need a return ticket and sufficient proof that their funds will sustain their stay.

2. Getting around

Harare International Airport is 12km from the city centre and local taxi services are easily available. Official taxi services include Rixi Taxi and A1 Taxi Service Co. Take caution as taxis are not metered and a fixed price needs to be agreed upon beforehand, or else you risk paying from US $3 to $30 for a short journey. Filling up is quite expensive in Zimbabwe and the easiest way to buy petrol is with fuel vouchers generally purchased in increments of 20 litres for about $30 each. Buses also travel around Harare, as well as to other cities like Bulawayo.

3. Where to stay

The Rainbow Towers Hotel, formerly the Sheraton, (+263 477 2633) offers one of the best business stays in Harare, with high-speed internet and 24-hour room service and is home to Harare’s biggest conference centre. The Meikles Hotel (+263 425 1705; res@meikles.com; www.meikles.com) has beautiful classic furnishings and costs $250 for a double deluxe room. The Holiday Inn (+263 479 5611;www.ichotelsgroup.com) is decent, at $220 a night.

4. Eating out

The Meikles Hotel has a good range of restaurants and bars. For formal dining, try La Fontaine Grillroom and The Pavillion, with their set dining times. The Lounge bar is more low-key, serving light meals all day. Enterprise Road in the Chisipite area is home to some of Harare’s top eateries, including Amanzi (158 Enterprise Road; +263 449 7768), famed for its delicious lunches and good service. For a fancy cup of coffee, try the cosmopolitan Glass House in Green Park, Enterprise Road (+263 449 9468).

5. History

Originally established as Fort Salisbury in 1890, Harare has remained the capital of Zimbabwe. The country saw its independence from Britain in late 1965 and was formally recognised as the Republic of Zimbabwe in 1982.

The National Gallery (20 Julius Nyerere Way; +263 470 4666; www.nationalgallery. co.zw) has Shona artefacts, as well as exhibits originating from the birth of Zimbabwe. Other historical offerings are on show at the Queen Victoria Museum and the Queen Victoria National Library at the Civic Centre.

6. Shopping

Shopping malls include Chisipite Shopping Centre and Arundel Village, but for a traditional African shopping experience, go to Mbare Market, 3km out of the town centre with its range of fresh produce, curio items and market stalls with local arts and crafts. Don’t miss a taste of sadza, a stiff porridge eaten with gravy or relish.

7. Outdoors

The National Botanic Herbarium and Gardens (+263 470 6077; www. nationalherbarium.org.zw) is home to 900 species of wild trees and natural flora from all over the country, 4km outside the city centre in the Alexandra area. For a wilder excursion, visit the Mukuvisi Woodlands (+263 474 7152), home to giraffes, impalas, wildebeest, bushbuck and more. Mukuvisi Woodlands stretch over a 270-hectare expanse, 5km from Harare.

8. Victoria Falls

This World Heritage site, also known as Mosi-oa-Tunya, meaning the mist that thunders, is at its most impressive from the Zimbabwean side of the border with Zambia. Some airlines offer flights to the Falls - Air Zimbabwe (www.airzimbabweuk.com) flies daily. The Victoria Falls Hotel (+263 134 4751;reservations@tvfh.africansun.co.zw; www.africansunhotels.com/ victoriafallshotel), offers a super stay, with rooms from $100 a night.

9. Language

Shona is the predominant official language in Zimbabwe, while Ndebele and English are also widely spoken. Some Shona greetings are:

• Kanjani – Hello
• Muri rayiti? - How are you?
• Ndiri rayiti - I’m fine
• Tatenda - Thank you
• Munonzani - What’s your name?
• Ndinonzi... - My name is...
• Fambai zvakanaka - Go well (said by person staying)
• Sarai zvakanaka - Stay well (said by person going)

10. Reading

For politics, read Geoff Hill’s The Battle for Zimbabwe, an account of the power struggle between Robert Mugabe and Morgan Tsvangirai. Francesca DiPiazza’sZimbabwe in Pictures is a stunning book of images from across the country.

This piece published by Africa investor and written by Shanna Jacobsen. Permission to use granted to Afribiz.

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