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Tafadzwa Zimoyo Lifestyle Writer
Almost around this time last year, President Mugabe’s son-in-law, Simba Chikore, threw a massive bachelor’s party at the plush Rainbow Towers Hotel in Harare at an event that lured the who-is-who in the realms of politics, business and the arts, among other sectors.

Ever since this memorable and much-hyped bachelor’s party by Simba, more and more people are opting for the same concept which is becoming more fashionable in Zimbabwe as it is in the countries of its origins in the Western world.

In simple terms, a bachelor’s party is defined as “a party held for a man shortly before he enters marriage, to celebrate his ‘last night of freedom’.”

“A bachelor’s party is usually planned by the best man or other friends of the groom, occasionally, with the assistance of a bachelor party planning company.”

Normally, the party gives the would-be groom’s close friends, relatives, associates as well as the personnel at the venue hosting the party, to plan for the big day.

This is also a chance for the guys to interact as bridegrooms and get to also talk about the impending wedding before they drown themselves in pools of drink as they prepare for the day the bride and the groom will walk down the aisle.

One place has become noted for its bachelor’s parties and we spoke to the man behind the movement to find what it gives:

“Bachelor’s parties have the advantage of also advising the groom on the proper etiquette expected of him on the relevant day of exchanging the vows.

“This, in a way, is akin to a kitchen party or such other parties which ladies conduct ahead of an imminent prominent event like a wedding, among others.

“But one good thing about it is that the attendees will take time to advise the groom on how best to manage the marriage institution which in these modern days is crumbling at an alarming rate owing to a number of factors that are often overlooked,” said Spencer Madziya.

The 35-year-old married father of two has become an expert in hosting bachelor’s parties. His city club — The Sphinx – located at Cresta Oasis Hotel, Harare, to oversee the changeover into married men of many boys, including some prominent personalities.

The 14-year marriage veteran said he was first enthralled by the idea of bachelor’s parties because they have a special purpose to play in the transition from bachelorhood to commitment.

Madziya said instead of a mere debauched drinking orgy, bachelor’s parties can be so better handled by people who realise that this is actually an important day in a man’s life, the beginning of the rest of his life:

“We turn our place into a bachelor’s house according to one’s specifications and this can be a replica of the house that he will occupy with his bride.

“They accord the groom time with his buddies whom he then tells that although they are still tight bosom friends, someone special has come into his life and therefore they should keep in mind that what they used to do as a bachelor in the past is, forgive the pun, now is a thing of the past.

“This refers specifically to the wild behaviour which rips marriages apart. The parties also bridge the gap that the traditionally uncles normally play in advising the groom when he is now entering into matrimony,” Madziya said.

Madziya, affectionately known as Boss Spencer, because of his trendy and artistic creative mind which some say is more of a boss.

But the humble man said he is happy being referred to simply as Spencer.

He said one good thing about bachelor’s parties is that it accords friends’ of the groom the opportunity to even suggest the colour themes of the event. “We can turn Sphinx to suit your needs as we work with some close friends of us in the decor business. The colours can be emotive in a big way in that it reminds the dudes of their favourite outing, favourite football club or uniform at work.

He said they had to renovate the VIP area to suit all types parties apart from hosting patrons on a normal day.

“One trend that is emerging is the phenomenon of the bunch to adorn the jerseys of their favourite soccer club like Manchester United, Chelsea among others.

“Since men are known to be soccer-crazy, they can also afford to enjoy a game on DSTV while partying and this heightens the party mood since drinks and soccer plus camaraderie and a lot of cheers, ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhhs’ normally go hand in hand,” he said.

Madziya, who is also a fashionista, said as with everything else, proper planning for the bachelor’s party always trumps ad hoc arrangements.

“It is always wise and advisable to approach us for your bachelor’s party in advance so that we make the most out of the planning and make it something memorable. This gives us ample time to also get to know your character and the type of people on your guest list so that you don’t bungle by falling short on satisfying their needs,” he highlighted.

“For instance, there are some people who are not into one type of music and these and other minute details that include the taste and type of food, should be put into consideration. In a way, there is more to the parties and these include dressing, hairstyle, class, and Sphinx has been an expert in that areas since the craze took Zimbabwe by storm.

Madziya said that party hosting skills are specific for each occasion hence what goes into making a bachelor’s party a success is a far cry from what is required for a birthday party. He said what is important is to tailor the client’s needs, taste and pocket to the occasion.

“But this does not mean compromising on style and standards which we always strive to maintain to match international standards of doing things,” he said.