Bulawayo Club History

In the tradition of Gentlemens’ Clubs which flourished the world over in the Age of Empire, the Bulawayo Club combines the graces of the past with the best of the present. Raffles, the Carlton Club and Pall Mall; the names resonate with the glamour of high society, and in its heyday, the Bulawayo Club was no different.

Founded in 1895 by civic leaders and some of the more successful businessmen, miners and ranchers among the then settler community, the first building was a prefabricated wood-frame building with iron roofing which would have looked at home on the set of a western movie. A stone building reminiscent of a rambling private homestead intervened before the current lavish premises were built. The foundation stone was laid in 1934 by H.R.H. the Prince George, later George VI.

From the start, this was to be an exceptional building which gave testimony to the influence and resources of its members. Materials and fittings, from the roof tiles to the lights and faucets, were imported from overseas, since they were deemed the best available at the time. Extensive use was made of mahogany, in the flooring, doors, windows and paneling, which today still lends its character to the Club.

Visitors to the Club will be walking in the steps of the giants of early settler history, both illustrious and notorious; originally these included Cecil Rhodes, Dr. Jameson, Collenbrander and their colleagues. A plaque commemorates the visit of H.R.H. Edward, the Prince of Wales, in 1925, who played squash in the first squash racquets court in the country. Later visitors included their Royal Highnesses Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip on the Royal Tour of the Federation in 1953. Later members included the Rt. Hon. Sir Humphrey Gibbs, Governor of Southern Rhodesian, and Lord Malvern, Governor of the Federation of the Rhodesias and Nyasaland.

The heritage of the Club is evident everywhere; originally, women would not have been allowed across the front threshold, so a side entrance and staircase leads to the first floor where the ladies would have been allowed (required?) for dinners and dances. Influential heroes and scoundrels would have rubbed shoulders; today a group calling itself “The Mafia” still meets regularly.

The Club remains connected to major events of the present as well as of the past. In line with worldwide trends among similar institutions, the Club has been commercialized to retain and improve standards in today’s more egalitarian society. But while the past was exclusive, all guests today are assured of a warm welcome and executive treatment.