"Minex": Maun's club owner with a difference

BONIFACE KEAKABETSE
Correspondent | Thursday March 14, 2013 00:00

 

The young man, whose strong build could easily help him make the first team in the game of basketball, is probably the youngest night club owner in Botswana.Minex is on a mission to  transform Maun into an Ibiza and a truly international tourist destination of choice. It seems it is his penchant to get off his chest anything that bothers him, like when he casually revealed his plans to bring top international musicians to Maun. One such top international act is Hip Hop mogul, Lil' Wayne whom Minex has on his sights to lure to Maun for a show at his club.  Minex said he is ready to cough up almost P 2 million for Wayne's appearance fee in Maun.He said: 'It is not all about money. There are some things that we are doing. We are also looking at sponsors as well.

'We are looking for the right place to stage the show as well as a permit. Actually, once we get a permit, we will bring our man here,' said Minex with his distinct American twang.The youthful businessman describes Maun as a reputable tourist destination that is as well-known internationally as reputable cities like Durban. 'This place has some of the most fun-loving people in the world- that's why we are known as Botswana's 'monate capital'. But our entertainment facilities are not up to scratch and I am ready to take a risk and change this,' he said. Opened mid last year, Fresh Exclusive Night Club has in that time undoubtedly transformed into a leading entertainment spot in Maun. With the once leading Trekkers Night Club temporarily closed for renovations, the Exclusive has become the only magnet for revellers across this fun-loving village. Minex attributed the popularity of his club to the fact that their style of operation meets the revellers' entertainment needs.

He describes himself as a fun-loving person who is ready to change Maun's entertainment landscape. He said the idea to start operating the club was born out of a realisation that there is gap that needs to be filled in Maun's entertainment landscape.He said he had to travel for fun as far as Gaborone, Windhoek and South Africa for clubbing saying that's when he realised there is something lacking for night life in Maun. The Exclusive was opened specifically for urban life minded youth. Minex said his is a daunting task as the entertainment life, precisely night clubs have yet been recognised as a potential activity that can empower communities.  'There is negativity attached to night clubs as they are associated with alcohol abuse. For this reason club operators need to work hard to provide the much-needed entertainment while at the same time contributing to the communities they operate among,' he said.

He gave an example of the fact that Exclusive has recruited its staff from the neighborhood of Borolong ward as a way of empowerment.'Twenty unemployed youths from this ward are now working here and this is one way of contributing to unemployment reduction.  Some of them are working in the club, bar and the club security. I am also opening a restaurant where more will be hired,' he said.