June 28, 2021
2 Min. Read

Beach Delights

Ex- Sultan’s mansion under female reign

The “Beach House” at the Shangani sea promenade is popular with many, but few people know the history and who made it all happen.

The former Sultan’s mansion turned into a restaurant and bar, run by Park Hyatt, under female reign. Afshan Jivraj, 34, Kenyan by nationality, half Indian and half Iranian by ancestry, came to Zanzibar three years ago to oversee the opening. Her research discovered that the two-storey mansion was built under the last sultan of Zanzibar before his forceful removal from power in 1964. ”It is said he kept some concubines here”, Afshan says. The two-storey beachfront house then became a British nursing home, later Goan immigrant families had apartments there until it was eventually abandoned and – like so many buildings in Stone Town – left to rot.  

“I fell in love with it the moment I saw it”, says Afshan. Trained at a Swiss elite school, with previous working stints in China and Dubai, she developed the upmarket but casual hangout from scratch – a task not everyone thought the striking beauty, not rarely mistaken as a receptionist by guests, would be capable of. “There are not many lady general managers in the hospitality sector in Africa”, she says: “Sure I had to fight.” Overseeing 31 staff, she likes to make them “feel like family”. She also co-ordinates local women support programs at the Hyattxxx. “We did not change any of the structure of the building”, the manager emphasizes. “Our restaurant’s menu is a tribute to its history with Oman, Indian and British influences.” What’s the favourite of her guests? Spice gin tonic of course – with all the flavours of Zanzibar. 

Related Articles

March 31, 2021
3 mins.

Two Fumbas – One Idea

Find out all about new exciting seaside developments just outside Zanzibar city It’s all happening on the Fumba peninsula: Two major real estate developments creating modern living space with holiday flats and permanent family homes near the overcrowded capital. By ANDREA TAPPER Both aspiring seaside communities, started in 2015/16, fascinate locals as well as a […]
read more
January 23, 2024
2 mins.

DINNER FOR ONE

A new hospitality school in Zanzibar trains local youth for jobs in the tourist industry. We tested it.  Does the glass stand to the right of the plate, or the left? Can VIPs register in their room instead of at the reception? What is cereal? Tumaini Kiwenge is one of five teachers at a new […]
read more
January 8, 2024
1 min.

SMART ARCHITECTURE WINS

Zanzibar is famous for historic Stone Town. But now the island’s modern architecture starts gaining international recognition, too.  The white modern living style of Fumba Town based on green principles has won a prestigious award in Dubai recently. CPS Africa, who started the unique island development in 2015, received the ‘Residential Development 20+’ award by […]
read more
October 23, 2023
2 mins.

The unknown side of Zanzibar

Location Most secluded in Zanzibar, The Bottom Line Feel like a VIP by the ocean The road maybe rocky, but the destination rewards us for travelling it. Like a Fata Morgana, white modern villas suddenly become visible high above the sea, a wooden deck with neatly arranged cabana-like double sun beds leads to an endless […]
read more

Are you looking for a property in Zanzibar?

25 essential questions and answers to buy property in Zanzibar

READ MORE
Whatsapp Us