Nando’s is one of Flow PR’s favourite clients, not least because they’re never content with being merely mundane – and that extends to their restaurants too.
Recently Caroline Smith and I descended on Durban, a city famously known for being one of the major centres in tourism and now home to one of Nando’s fantastic revamped restaurants, in the Gateway Centre. We were there to attend a party to make sure that the store got off to the start it deserved.
Gateway restaurant is the second Nando’s flagship store to be revamped; the first one was the Sandton store which was relaunched a month ago which was attended by Nando’s CEO Robbie Brozin as well as a whole host of prominent South Africans. And, of course, Flow PR, so we thought we were old hands at this. However, Nando’s doesn’t like repeating itself and the Gateway launch was completely different to the Sandton launch.
Firstly, we were blown away by how beautiful it looked inside – you don’t expect a restaurant to remind you of a work of art, but this one does – and it looked as beautiful as, and completely different from, the Sandton restaurant.
In fact, each restaurant is different – as Trudi van Niekerk, business development director of Nando’s, says: “The interior of each restaurant is aligned to the particular look and feel of the neighbourhoods in which they are situated, and with the energy of the customers who frequent them. We are creating spaces in which every item in our restaurants speaks to our South African culture and heritage, and where strangers, friends and families choose to come together to share a uniquely South African meal.”
Then the event itself! Despite unexpectedly rainy weather on the night of the event (isn’t Durban supposed to be all sunshine and beach weather?) guests arrived in their party best (proving that Durban too is a fashion capital) and honouring the event’s ‘’Fiery’’ theme.
And the entertainment! We had DJ Cindo – Durban’s finest DJ – on the decks and firing up the crowd. Mpho ‘Popps’ Modikoane was the MC for the night making us laugh every time he opened his mouth and soul house duo Liquideep did a fantastic gig
Other celebrities who graced the event were Sharks rugby player Jannie du Plessis, Sfiso Ncwane and comedian Felix Hlophe who kept guests in stitches with his great funny moves.
Another unique touch about Nando’s restaurants is that they feature artwork by different South African artists. This is part of the Nando’s art initiative which seeks to engage with emerging South African artists and create a showcase for their work, with the long-term plan that every Nando’s restaurant, throughout the world, will act as a gallery for South African artists.
The art featured in the Gateway restaurant includes works by Dion Cupido, Ricky Dyaloyi, Xolile Mtakatya, Alfred Budaza, Sandile Mhlongo, Boyce Magandela, Gerald Tabata, Fikile Mqhayi, Nomthunzi Mashalaba, Norman O’Flyn, Selvin November and Rima Giffen.
One of the featured artists, Dion Cupido, was also in attendance, and hosted and judged an art activity which saw guests play “curator” and put a 3x3 Creative Block composition together from a selection of 40 artworks. Dion selected the composition he felt was the best and the winners received an original artwork in the shape of a Creative Block as a gift.
The event ended on a high note with Nando’s staff leaving the kitchen and dancing like they have never danced before. And us? Let’s just say our feet were quite sore the next day.