First ever speed dating night flops

By Munyaradzi Doma

Organisers of Zimbabwe’s first ever Speed Dating event believe that Zimbabweans are conservative, following a low turnout contrary to expectations for the show which was dubbed “Meet Singles in Harare”.

Sibusiso Media Chief Operations Officer and founder, Fidelis Fengu, said 61 participants (41 women and 20 men) attended as compared to the 100 who had said would attend.

“We also realised that people are still conservative because some people were even shy to attend. Some people also said they were willing to meet in private so we are now planning setting up a dating agency following concerns raised by some of the participants,” said Fengu.

Fengu’s sentiments were also echoed by some people who said the idea was foreign and nothing Zimbabwean. This will however be tested when the show goes to Bulawayo for a show penned “Meet other singles in Bulawayo”.

The “Meet other singles in Bulawayo” Facebook page already has 1,302 likes. Fengu added that even when the participants were told the show had started, some people were reluctant.

He said in some instances, some men would ask how they were supposed to start a conversation with a woman. Further asked to comment on the low turnout, Fengu had this to say.

“We were late in setting the sound system. Some people could not wait for long. However the big ‘Thank you Zimbabwe’ gig also affected our numbers, because we believe some people had gone there.

“Our venue also proved not to be ideal because some people said Chisipite was too far from town, so next time we will have that in mind.”