Sandisiwe Gumbo, Sunday Life Reporter
The first-ever Big Braai Day event was recently hosted in Barham Green Sports Club in Bulawayo, bringing together people of all ages for a day of fun, entertainment, and community building.
The event ran under the slogan ‘community is about doing something together that makes belonging matter’.
“The Big Braai Day event started in United Kingdom,” stated Calvin Gough, one of the event organisers. “We were worried about our culture being lost as some grew up in different parts of the world.
“The idea was to bring people together and start something that celebrated our culture that is food, music, and of course drinking while enjoying each other’s company.”
The event was organised by a team based in the UK, headed by the Chairman Innocent Babbage.
Part of the huge crowd that turned up for the event at BG Sports Club
The aim of the event was to bring the community together, regardless of age and provided a free and fun-filled day for all people present.
The event featured a variety of stall holders, kids’ entertainment, including jumping castles, and a soccer tournament between local teams BG Lions and Arcadia from Harare.
The BG Lions emerged victorious, winning the match 2-0. Live entertainment was provided by living legend Jimmy Brandt, backed by DJ Vintage, and the crowd was rocked by VJB, DJ Diliza, and DJ Star in the evening.
Jasmine Toffa, alocal politician, presented the award to the BG Lions.
With a massive crowd of all ages coming together to enjoy the festivities, the event was well-attended.
According to Barry Webber, the event was a success, and they are already planning next year’s event.
“The event was very successful in bringing the community together,. We are looking forward to the next braai day in Bulawayo in 2024.
“We are thrilled with the turnout and the response from the community. We will continue to work hard to make sure that Big Braai Day becomes an annual tradition in Bulawayo.”
According to the organisers, the event is a non-profitable as the benefits are donated to charity.