In the four years of its existence, Inzozi Nziza ice cream parlor in Butare has amassed a wealth of reputation.

When it opened to business in 2010, presenters at the National University Radio, Salus went into overdrive: "Now that this place is open, we will have more pregnancies on campus.” "If you have not taken your girl to this place, then you’re not romantic.” Such were the taunts thrown at the university students, and it was not for nothing.

Inzozi Nziza has since woven itself a business model of a social enterprise out to spread a culture of love around Butare town.

It is the kind of place you will find two grown people happily sharing ice cream of Rwf 500.  

Standing at the counter, one can’t miss the sight of a wooden token box, into which small contributions are welcome. I was later told that the money raised goes to a monthly programme for children from the area to enjoy free ice cream.

For the nature of business it is (ice creams and coffees), the owners could easily have situated the business in Kigali instead. But apparently, the owners seem to attach more value to the social impact it creates in the surrounding community in Butare.

Inzozi Nziza is owned and run by a local women drummers’ cooperative, Inzozi Nshya. Known to be the first ever female drummers’ troupe in the country, the women set up the facility after a tour of the US, from where they adopted the model. Actually, six of the twenty drummers in the group hold permanent employment here.

For most patrons, a visit to this haunt is not complete without a taste of the assorted ice cream flavors on offer. Which should have been the same for me, only that, on the Friday afternoon when we checked in, we were duly informed the ice cream machine had broken down.

We were rather surprised when the matronly waiters rolled out a menu for the food instead. We settled for what was available –beans, chips, rice, green beans, beef, and not only did it come piping hot, our orders arrived within no time at all. We were told the fast service has got something to do with the steady influx of students from NUR.  

Actually, the restaurant section only opened last year, and going by the look of things, it was established expressly with the university students in mind. The buffet which goes for Rwf 1,000 is accessible to students at half price, and they only have to pay upfront for the month.

Otherwise they also do pizza, sandwich, assorted fruit juices, milkshakes, salads, banana cake and cookies, and brew their own locally roasted coffees.