DEFUNCT EZULWINI SUN TO BECOME A NIGHTCLUB

EZULWINI – Changing lanes. This resonates with upcoming operations at the defunct Ezulwini Sun which closed shop around 2012.
The Ezulwini Sun, which is situated opposite Lugogo Sun and adjacent to MTN headquarters, will soon be operating as an upmarket nightclub.

Ezulwini Sun was one of the three Sun International Hotels based at the country’s lush Ezulwini Valley.
The other hotels are Lugogo Sun and the Royal Swazi Sun.

This was confirmed by Sun International Eswatini Operations Area General Manager Lance Rossouw.
Initially, Rossouw had been asked if they would be reopening as a hotel.

Verbatim, Rossouw responded: “The Ezulwini Sun will not be reopening as a hotel at all. We are in the initial stages of bringing the property up to standard to operate as an upmarket nightclub.”
The manager explained that the opening date of the nightclub was yet to be established.
Adding, Rossouw said it was fairly difficult to determine at this stage, but promised to keep the publication updated.

He mentioned that they would also be inviting some of their very important persons (VIP) customers to private preview nights.
Asked on who would be managing the nightclub, Rossouw said it would be managed and owned by the Royal Swazi Spa Valley Resort, as part of the Swazispa Holdings Ltd.
Quizzed if the club would be hosting the famous ‘Pub Nights’, he responded to the negative.

“No, it will not be hosting ‘Pub Nights” which are part and parcel of Wednesday night entertainment at the Lugogo Sun, and will not provide accommodation.
“However, due to the fact that the Royal Swazi Spa Valley Resort does not support drinking and driving whatsoever, special packages will be offered at the Lugogo Sun in order for people to be accommodated safely after a night of fun,” Rossouw said.
The Pub Nights are usually held on Wednesdays at the Lugogo Sun, where people enjoy a variety of beverages and various forms of entertainment, including music and quizzes. 
He pointed out that the target market for the night club would be for fun-loving young and mature emaSwati, residents and all forms of tourists, who have reasonable disposable income and want to enjoy nights out at a reputable address.

Security

The manager assured that there would be strong security presence, and anyone with ulterior motives or negative intents would not be welcomed.
With the kingdom faced with a serious fiscal challenge, Rossouw estimated that they would employ approximately 25 people.
Asked how much would be invested into refurbishing the hotel, he said: “The areas that are going to be utilised for the nightclub have been kept in good condition since the moth- balling of the property, so not a great deal of expenditure will be required.”

Adding, Rossouw said there would be no infrastructural changes to the property, only enhancements to the existing facilities, such as a stage with a great DJ (disc-jockey), dance floor and the existing inside bar with all the latest greatest popular drinks.
He further said the outside area would have a great wood fired pizza oven serving the finest pizzas, as well as a braai area offering the most exquisite shisanyama as well as umgcwembe platters.
For the more health conscious or diet restricted, Rossouw said they would offer them an array of scrumptious salads, seafoods and other dishes.

Rossouw mentioned that there would be casual seating inside and outside the dining area.
“For the more discerning, we will provide private seating enclaves as well as a few private rooms,” he said.

Giving a brief background on why the hotel stopped operating, Rossouw explained that 50 per cent of the Ezulwini Sun was part of the Vacation Club Timeshare Scheme, which expired in 2012.
“To ensure a competitive advantage for the Lugogo Sun in its market categorisation, it was decided to mothball the Ezulwini Sun in order to ensure Lugogo Sun’s occupancies and sustainability is maximised. This has proved to be very successful over the last seven years,” he said.
Mothballing is described as the preservation of a production facility without using it to produce.

Profit

It is also defined as reserving something for use in future, depending on demand and supply. At the time the production or hotel is mothballed, demand and supply were low, thus squeezing profits.
When this reporter visited the mothballed hotel, he found some groundsmen felling trees by the main entrance.

Others were found busy scrubbing and cleaning at the reception area while in the background, some were seen putting final touch ups at the bar area,
Our sister publication, the Times of Eswatini daily, reported that five months after the hotel stopped operating, the Swazi-Spa Holdings received offers from people interested in taking over the hotel and converting it into apartments for rental.

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