BY WASHINGTON CHIMUZU

In 1969, the Apollo Vistarama cinema opened in the heart of Blantyre, offering Malawians with one of the most advanced movie experiences of its time. For nearly three decades, it stood as a cultural landmark, serving families, friends, and dreamers under one roof to share stories on the silver screen. Unfortunately, the advent of satellite television in 1997 saw Apollo close down.

Fast-forward to 2025, and Apollo cinema has reopened, promising to rekindle old memories and create new ones. The transformation is more than a property story; it’s a powerful case study in collaboration, showing what can happen when leadership, communication, clarity, decision-making, and creativity come together in sync.

Successful projects rarely happen by chance. Behind every successful outcome is a team that learns to see beyond titles and silos, aligning their expertise toward a shared vision. The Apollo revival demanded precisely that from the partners who included Amaryllis Hospitality Group, Stakeout by Entertainers Promotions, Ayiya LED and property owners Apollo Vistaram. Behind them, an army of carpenters, electricians and other tradesmen worked tirelessly to restore the venue.

At the heart of this success was leadership. Great project leaders know how to define direction while empowering others to own the journey. In the Apollo case, leadership meant balancing heritage preservation with modern design. It meant holding the vision steady while letting specialists make their best contributions. Leadership, in essence, was the glue that kept the project cohesive despite its complexity.

Then came communication that forms the lifeblood of collaboration. Every project manager knows how fragile alignment can be when assumptions replace dialogue. According to Rodney Goneso of Amaryllis Hospitality Group, the Apollo project’s success was rooted in transparent, frequent, and inclusive communication. From progress meetings to stakeholder consultations, the flow of information ensured that potential issues were caught early and resolved quickly. Clear communication doesn’t just prevent confusion; it builds trust — and trust fuels momentum.

Clarity also played its part. Reimagining a cinema as a multi-purpose arcade demanded clear goals, timelines, and standards. Everyone needed to know not just what was being built, but why. Ambiguity is the silent killer of projects — it breeds misaligned expectations and diluted accountability. Clarity, on the other hand, keeps the compass steady. It transforms a team from a group of individuals doing tasks into a force moving toward one outcome.

Equally vital was decision-making. Every complex project faces forks in the road — moments when hesitation can cost both time and money. The Apollo team had to make timely calls on design, financing, and other operational aspects. What made their decisions effective was a blend of inclusiveness and firmness: listening to diverse views but acting decisively once consensus was reached. Good decision-making is not about being right every time; it’s about being deliberate, informed, and agile enough to course-correct when needed.

Finally, creativity gave the project its soul. Turning a once-dormant cinema into a vibrant arcade required more than technical skill; it demanded imagination. The creative team reinterpreted the building’s legacy — preserving the essence of Apollo while introducing contemporary flair. Creativity in project management isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about problem-solving. It’s the art of finding new pathways when old formulas no longer fit.

The reopening of Apollo Arcade is therefore more than a business milestone. It’s a celebration of what collaboration can achieve when guided by purpose and shared commitment. In an era where projects often struggle under pressure, the Apollo story reminds us that the best results emerge not from solitary brilliance but from collaboration and leadership.