MEGA LOUNGE SHUTS DOWN!

MBABANE – In what will be bad news to fun lovers, the Mega Lounge venue will be no more.

The devastating adverse effects of the COVID-19 restrictions in the arts industry imposed by government continue to compel entertainment venues to face closure. It has been over a year since the COVID-19 pandemic reared its ugly head in the country and as a result, certain sectors of the economy have had to shut down temporarily or indefinitely. Resultant to this, many local entrepreneurs who had invested in the arts sector have made huge losses in the long-run. Some had hopes that the industry would reopen soon, but this did not happen since this was one of the most affected sectors (arts) since they were closed for over a year.

One of these local entrepreneurs is Mega Lounge Director and award -winning Dj Zulu D, whose real name is Samkelo Zulu, who confirmed with this publication about him closing shop. The Mega Lounge venue, which had been operational since December 2019 until March last year, had become one of the famous venues to go to for patrons around Mbabane and in all parts of the country. Having reopened their doors when restrictions were eased once more by government, the venue operated temporarily until the second wave compelled government to impose yet another lockdown, rendering venues to close shop again. “I can confirm that Mega Lounge has closed shop at Sidvwashini. We took this decision after exhausting every measure we had put in place. The owner of the place had sold the plot and we had no choice, but to close indefinitely. At this point, we are not sure whether the new owner will permit us to operate,” he said.

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He went on to add by saying the Mega Lounge brand would not die as they were looking for another venue to reopen. He further disclosed that he had been paying rental fees for the venue ever since March last year until November. Although he stated that although his landlord had agreed to him paying 50 per cent of rental fees, he said this proved futile in the long-run since the venue was not making any income. When asked on how much he paid rentals, he preferred not to disclose the amount. To date, he stated he owed over three months rental fees. With this, the seasoned local DJ blamed this upon the restrictions that were effected by government, particularly to the arts sector.

“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, government has not cooperated fully and engaged us on how best we can manage the situation, but we have lost so much money in the process such that we have now come to the decision to close. This wouldn’t have happened if government considered our plight in this sector,” he asserted. Businessman Dumisani Ngcamphalala, the owner of the plot where Mega Lounge is situated, confirmed the matter. He, however, disclosed that the news of the sale was premature and would not divulge any more information as the matter was still in process and had not been finalised. “I can confirm that the plot in question is in the process of being sold, but since the process is still in motion, I would not want to comment further until this matter reaches its conclusion,” he asserted.

One of the biggest events the venue had hosted was featuring South African songstress Ami Faku, who launched her album at the venue on February 23, 2020. Other notable events included The Roast of Dr Shakes, Afro Fridays, Karaoke Nights which was every Wednesday to name a few. A local patron Sibusiso Mdlalose, who was obviously devastated by the sudden closure said, “this is just sad news for those in business. I remember always having a good time whenever I was there with my friends.” Another fun lover, Seluliwe Magongo,  disclosed she was saddened by the news as she had anticipated to ‘get her groove on’ at the venue once government eased the restrictions. She further said she loved going there since she lived close by at Sidwashini and the venues’ location was convenient to her.

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As of today, events like these will be allowed to take place including poetry, comedy, fashion shows, theatre, small scale choral music, small scale launches and small scale music concerts. However, stringent measures are to be abided by as any art or entertainment activity should be hosted in a venue that has applied for and received an Entertainment Activity Hosting Compliance Certificate from the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs through the Eswatini National Council of Arts and Culture (ENCAC). With this, only 100 people can attend any entertainment activity. Zulu D, as he is affectionately known, thanked all fun lovers who graced the event. He said there would be yet another Mega Lounge venue in the country along with the Mega Sound events. Since government has once again lifted the restrictions in the arts sector permitting a gathering of 100 people, patrons would have to wait in anticipation for yet another Mega Sound event, let alone a Mega Lounge.

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