Fundraising initiatives, including a golf day and a BackaBuddy campaign, are in place to support the staff of Picasso’s Mexican Taqueria in White River during the busy festive season.

This follows the devastating fire that destroyed the restaurant on Monday, November 24.

The golf day will be held at the White River Country Club on December 16, and people can also visit https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/a-bridge-for-the-picassos-team to make a donation.

Sunday, November 23, was just like any other at Picasso’s. The festive hum of conversation filled the restaurant as diners gathered for a sold-out performance by Black Mamba Man. Only hours later, tragedy struck.

Flames tore through the restaurant, collapsing the roof and sending thick smoke into the night sky at around 00:30 on Monday.

The new sign that welcomed guests glowed faintly through the haze as emergency services rushed to the scene.

Despite the swift response from White River Fire and Rescue, the damage was extensive. The cause of the blaze remains unknown.

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The devastation has sparked an overwhelming outpouring of support from the Lowveld community. In a joint statement, co-owners Brian Springorum and Garth Snyman said: “Your messages, kindness and encouragement have brought us strength and comfort. Picasso’s has always been built on connection and the people who made it their home. Today, that sense of community is shining brighter than ever. Thank you for standing with us, for your patience, and for your support. We will share updates as we learn more.”

Speaking separately to Lowvelder, Springorum described the loss as devastating. “The support my business partner and I have received has shown us how deeply people loved the place. We are grateful that no lives were lost and no other businesses were affected,” he said. “Although rebuilding remains uncertain, it is my dream to see Picasso’s rise again.”

For Snyman, who had only been operating the taqueria with Springorum for six months, the loss feels surreal. He said, “It still feels like I’m dreaming. We started operating six months ago, and now it’s gone. But I am grateful for the messages of support – they show how loved this place truly was.”

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Snyman later expanded on the restaurant’s ethos and future: “Picasso’s always has been, and always will be, a place where people can meet up, have a good time, eat good food, experience good service and feel special. As heartbreaking as it is to see this mess, we believe in new beginnings and that every cloud has a silver lining. There’s obviously a process to deal with, but the plan is to demolish what’s left, rebuild, refurnish and carry on doing what we do. The timeline is out of our hands to some extent, but we will definitely be back as soon as we possibly can.

“We’ve been overwhelmed by messages of support, kindness and love, and reminded why the Lowveld is such a special place to be. We’re happy nobody was hurt and that our neighbours are still up and running. There are a million clichés, but this could have turned out a whole lot worse than it did. We were blessed with heavy rain and no wind, which is a miracle in itself. We’re really grateful for every well wish and bit of support from all the amazing people around us. It’s what keeps us going and makes us want to come back better and stronger. Much love.”

Messages flooding social media and private channels testify to Picasso’s quick rise as a local favourite. The community’s eagerness to see the eatery return is unmistakable.

Picasso’s first opened in 2014 at Bagdad Centre in White River, quickly becoming popular with its laid-back ‘beach vibe’ and Mexican-inspired menu. Later, it moved across the road to the Casterbridge Lifestyle Centre, where it recreated the same charm in a larger space – the old Barnyard Theatre – and continued hosting live music, family gatherings and festive nights.

For more information about the golf day, contact 076 756 1457.