Maun magnate opens Trekkers in Mogo

LEKOPANYE MOOKETSI
Correspondent | Wednesday July 25, 2012 00:00

The new club was opened on Friday evening amid unprecedented pomp featuring local and South African DJs.  The event attracted many curious revellers who sampled the new state of the art facility. 

Masole took over the old nightclub, which used to be known as Chez Ntemba, which he has given a massive facelift.   He spent over P1 million to give the joint a swanky look after acquiring a loan from the First National Bank's  (FNB) property division.   Masole is also running a nightclub in Maun, which is also known as Trekkers.  But the difference is that the Mogoditshane nightclub has an up market appeal.  The businessman did not leave anything to chance as he renovated the cosy nightclub.  The interior decor of the club, which has three indoor bars, is superb. Even the dance floor is quite spacious and could accommodate a sizable crowd.  The club has a no-smoking zone too.  It has also been divided into lounges with two bars.  There is also a special VIP lounge. There is also another lounge with a TV set where you could watch sports channels. Even the furniture in the club is exquisite.  Actually the set up in the club is so homely with comfortable couches.  As you are relaxing, you are surrounded by smiling waitresses. 

The club also boasts of state of the art sound equipment.   Speaking in an interview, Masole said he has benchmarked with entertainment centres in places like South Africa, adding that it took him close to a year to refurbish the premises.    He said they are still working on their outdoor facility, which would include a bar and a restaurant.   The outdoor facility would be completed towards the end of the year when they hope to stage a grand opening ceremony.

Masole said the venue would be open to all the local artists because they want to promote local music.  On Sunday, Afro jazz songbird Punah Gabasiane performed at the club.   Gabasiane serenaded the audience with South African township jazz while during the intervals, the DJ on the night belted out Afro jazz tunes.   However, Masole explained that they are going to support all genres including gospel.   'We are going to stage gospel shows as well,' he said. He stated that they have not yet come up with a clear schedule for their shows because 'we are still trying out things'.

The Maun magnate explained that they are however targeting a mature clientele, adding that they are going to run the kind of place where a group of people can book a table in advance.  Regarding their labour force, he disclosed that they have employed 300 workers.  He indicated that they would like to beef up their security, especially with patrol dogs to repel criminals who might want to take advantage of the new place.

So far, the man popularly known as Tops, is not complaining.  He says the manner revellers turned up in large numbers showed that the club would be a popular joint.

'So we are waiting to meet our customers' needs,' said the big man as he was being congratulated by well-wishers.  Masole, who has been in showbiz for quite some time, is unfazed by the Liquor Act's operating hours.  He said in Maun, revellers seem to be happy with the hours. 

However, he said the only people who are affected by the operating hours are the artists.   But Masole, who is also running a nightclub in Kasane, said the headquarters for the three joints would be in Maun because he has no immediate plans of re-locating to Gaborone.