Ashley Dean Misho
Information and Technology Reporter
BULAWAYO – The iconic Ster-Kinekor cinemas at Bulawayo Centre have permanently shut its doors, leaving a void in the city’s cultural landscape.
A closure notice now hangs at the entrance, confirming the relocation of equipment and staff to Harare – a decision attributed to declining patronage amid the digital streaming boom .
The shutdown marks the end of a decade-long chapter for Bulawayo’s entertainment scene, following Ster-Kinekor’s earlier closure of its Sam Levy Village Cinema in Harare in June 2024 .
A Community’s Collective Memory Fades
For residents like former patron T. Moyo, the cinema represented irreplaceable milestones:
“Every Tuesday was half-price day – my wife and I made it our date night. I took my daughter for her birthday to watch Avengers: Endgame here. The big screen and surround sound made films come alive in ways streaming never can” .
These sentiments echo across Bulawayo, where the venue served as a cross-generational hub for first dates, family outings, and student gatherings.
Economic and Cultural Ripples
The closure reflects a national trend hitting traditional cinemas. As streaming services (Netflix, Showmax, Disney+) dominate, even prime venues struggle:
Attendance Crisis: A 200-seater cinema might draw only 10 patrons per screening .
Local Film Impact: Premieres like Qiniso (2015) proved demand for domestic content, yet partnerships between cinemas and Zimbabwean filmmakers remain underdeveloped .
Job Losses: Staff relocations compound unemployment in a city already facing economic headwinds .
Crispen Rateiwa, Chairperson of College Youth Art Club, warns:
“Cinemas aren’t just about films – they’re spaces where students from all backgrounds build human connections. Losing them erodes social cohesion”.
Digital Onslaught vs. Cinematic Resilience
While streaming’s convenience is undeniable, industry advocates emphasize what’s lost:
“The communal gasps, shared laughter, and immersive soundscapes of cinemas create emotional bonds no living room can replicate,” notes film scholar Basil Hamusokwe .
Efforts to revive the sector include innovative proposals:
Discount Models: Semester passes for students ($10/unlimited access), senior citizen rates, and club deals .
Diversified Content: Live broadcasts of events (NAMA Awards, Harare Carnival) and expanded concession offerings .
Location-Based Pricing: Variable ticket costs by seat location and screening time .
The Uncertain Future
With Ster-Kinekor’s Bulawayo and Harare (Sam Levy Village) branches closed, only Joina City Cinema remains operational nationally . The company’s search for new venues continues, but as streaming algorithms replace curated screenings, film enthusiasts mourn more than shuttered buildings.
“This was where we experienced stories together,” laments Moyo.
“Now we’re just strangers watching different screens at home”.
As Bulawayo grapples with this cultural shift, the fading projector light symbolizes a pressing question:
Can shared experiences survive the age of isolation?
Additional Context
Ster-Kinekor previously closed multiple South African branches in late 2024, signaling regional industry challenges .
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