Yellow World and Home of Arts Entertainment have officially secured the lease for the Pumula Old Open Air Cinema, commonly known as The Arena, after signing the agreement on 16 June 2026. The City of Bulawayo approved the lease application last month, bringing to a close a process that began in September 2025 when the organisations first proposed to reclaim and revive the long-neglected public space.

The development is being delivered through the Public Spaces Transformation Project. Happy Mpofu, who responded to My Kasi Magazine’s interview on behalf of the team, said the signing represented more than administrative approval.

“The journey had many moments of hope, but the reality really sank in when we received official confirmation that our lease application had been approved last month.

“However, today’s signing ceremony made it real. Holding the signed lease agreement in our hands was a powerful reminder that months of advocacy, meetings, follow-ups, and community engagement had finally paid off. It was a proud moment, not just for our team, but for everyone who believed this space could have a second life.”

Located in Pumula, Bulawayo, The arena has remained unused and deteriorating for years. While many viewed it as an abandoned structure, the project team saw cultural and social value that had been overlooked.

“When many people looked at the Arena, they saw an abandoned and deteriorating space. We saw history, opportunity, and community potential,” Mpofu explained.

“The Arena once served as a place where people gathered, connected, and shared experiences. We believed it could do that again. Its size, location, and cultural significance made it the perfect place to demonstrate how neglected public spaces can be transformed into safe, vibrant hubs for arts, youth development, community dialogue, and innovation.”

Securing the lease required navigating administrative procedures, stakeholder consultations, and proving organisational capacity.
According to Mpofu, maintaining momentum during slow periods was the most difficult obstacle between September 2025 and June 2026.

“The biggest challenge was maintaining momentum and belief throughout a lengthy process. Transforming a neglected public space involves navigating administrative procedures, stakeholder consultations, and demonstrating that there is both capacity and commitment behind the vision. There were moments when progress felt slow, but we remained consistent.

” We continued engaging stakeholders, documenting the site’s condition, sharing our vision, and demonstrating why the Arena mattered to the community. Persistence and partnership ultimately helped us move forward.”

Community input directly influenced the project’s direction. Conversations with older residents who recalled events held at the cinema, and with young people who spoke about the absence of safe spaces for recreation and creativity, shaped the scope beyond physical renovation.

“Many residents shared memories of what the space used to mean to the community. Older residents spoke about attending events there, while young people expressed frustration about the lack of safe and accessible spaces for recreation, creativity, and community activities. These conversations reinforced our belief that the project should not only focus on infrastructure but on restoring a sense of community ownership. Residents reminded us that the Arena should be a space for everyone, and that shaped our approach to making the transformation as inclusive as possible,” Mpofu said.

With the lease now signed, the focus shifts to implementation. Mpofu said the first phase will prioritise practical work over formal events.

“Day one is about action. The immediate focus is cleaning, securing, and assessing the site while developing a phased transformation plan. Residents will begin to see visible improvements, increased activity, and people working to restore the space.

“More importantly, we hope they will feel a renewed sense of possibility. We want the community to know that this is not just a project for them it is a project with them. Our goal is for the Arena to become a symbol of what can happen when communities come together to reclaim and reimagine their public spaces,” he stated.

Yellow World and Home of Arts Entertainment have acknowledged the City of Bulawayo, community leaders, stakeholders, partners, volunteers and residents for supporting the initiative from its inception.

Updates on the restoration process and opportunities for collaboration will be communicated as work progresses. With the lease agreement now in place, The Pumula Old Open Air Cinema is officially home again, and the responsibility of rebuilding it begins.