TAVERN REVIEWS

YIZO-YIZO TAVERN

The beat of Mpande Street

With the name associated with extreme radicalism of the youth, meaning “It is what it is”, this particular Yizo-Yizo is more than meets the eye. The name was dreamt up by the late co-owner Oupa Lebyane, the husband to the now sole owner of the tavern, Regina Lebyane. Established in 1996 and run from a family home, Yizo-Yizo interestingly began as a casual African beer and Mageu outlet and grew to be what it is now. Regina Lebyane tells Spotong that she started the business simply because she has never been one to work for someone else, while also being inspired to reduce unemployment within her community. With the name Yizo-Yizo boldly branded on the Hansa Pilsner advert board, you can hardly miss it! Located along Mpande Street, ext-28 phase2-Vosloorus, the night life for locals never turns out to be dull. The support enjoyed by the tavern is enormous, due to word of mouth advertising and the eagerness of patrons to always enjoy this lovely tavern, while their safety is always a priority. Friendly employees are always recognisable with sky blue t-shirts with their names on; good service is guaranteed whilst patrons enjoy the rejuvenating beats of the jukebox. Yizo-Yizo opens throughout the week, Monday to Sunday.

TLALI’S INN

A place to eat and be merry

Situated along the busy street of Lesika-Ext 5-Ponong is an outlet operating from a family house. Tlali’s Inn caters for a mature clientele and only opens on weekends.

The tavern was established in 2001 by the late Tlali Malefetsa, the father to the now owner Angelina Malefetsa. The passing of Mr Malefetsa didn’t at all dent Angie’s drive; it rather made her embrace all that her father taught her.

Angie draws a lot of pleasure from catering for her clientele; she tells Spotong that she always receives positive feedback for her food. Tlali’s Inn opens from 10am until 2am on weekends whenpatrons come through to not only enjoy their drinks but also to catch soccer games on match days and socialise with their friends. Angie also serves traditional meals, saying, “I prepare pork hocks on a daily basis, known better in townships as ‘Ditlhakwana’ or ‘Manquina’, I also prepare tripe (mogodu) only on Mondays however.” Angie also states that she no longer wants to sell food on such a limited scale, but to grow bigger for the benefit of the entire business and her customers.

“Though Tlali’s Inn is supplied by the South African Brewery and Distell among others, I do not only sell my clientele products to quench their thirst, I offer them way more; I offer them convenience, peace of mind, respect, a lovely personality and friendship.” So says Angie.

Angie also tells Spotong that Tlali’s Inn can never relocate, that instead, she would much rather turn it into a luxury pub and introduce more activities. Always looking to the future, Angie is focused on achieving her goals one step at the time.

MFUNDO SQUARE GARDEN PUB

“Our ultimate goal with our Garden At 56 years old, Linda Madida is an over achiever. He is owner of the Garden Pub with Mr. Mafunda, who is a silent partner. For people who share a taste for excitement... The garden pub now strictly caters for a mature clientele, from 28 years and above. With such an approach, they get to host people from as far as Pretoria, Daveyton and Soweto, which is tremendously advantageous for business. The Garden pub is located in pub is to turn the whole of it into an entertainment hub of the township. We aim to attract not only individuals who consume alcohol but their families as well,” says Madida.

Mr. Madida is also president to both the slightly hidden the “Gauteng Liquor Forum” and the Lefokotsane Street- Ext

“Boksburg-Vosloorus Food and Beverage Association”. Madida started off as a fruit juice distributor to local outlets and through hard work and determination, he was able to build a successful company. 30- Mfundo Park Square in Vosloorus. It is hugely dependent on ‘word of mouth’ advertising because of this challenge. The “Mfundo

The relationship between Mr. Madida and his partner Mr. Mafunda began back in 2006, when Mr. Madiba rented a food café and/or restaurant at a shopping complex owned by Mr. Mafunda. The Garden Pub venture, however, began December 2013; this was when Park Square Garden Pub” mainly hosts jazz sessions, live bands and social meetings. They have also had the privilege of hosting a launch of the “Indaba vibes”, collaboration the previous owner of the pub was between 20 social clubs ousted by the community as they had with the objective of grievances with the outlet allowing uplifting their most under-age drinking in the establishment. immediate communities.

MBEZA “BUY-AND-BRAAI”

An upmarket family Chisanyama...

Walking into Mbeza, portmanteau of two of the owner’s names, Mbenozinyembezi and Zanele, I am welcomed by the soothing sounds of one of the Manhattans’ classic tunes.

Mbeza “buy-and-braai” is owned by three partners, all members of the same family, operating since 2012. Spotong sat down for a chat with Jabulani Nyoni, one of the owners, whilst his partners (his wife and sister) busied themselves preparing meals for customers. The business is run from their family home, where their mother still resides. Mbeza might come across as a typical Chisanyama, but it comes with an element of uniqueness as it does not sell liquor. They are, however, more than willing to allow the people of the community of Moagi Street, Ngunisection, Vosloorus, to bring their own drinks as it still works in the favour of the outlet. Mbeza is spacious, with three permanent braai stands and four big mobile ones. They serve a variety of meat, including beef, boerewors, pork, short ribs and grilled chicken, with the chicken being a customer favourite. A standard plate goes for R35 and R45 per plate with big orders.

Over and above that, Mbeza also caters for local authority offices, corporates and businesses. The venue also has the capacity to host meetings for organisations such as the BoksburgVosloorus Food and Beverage Association (BVFBA) every now and again. Mbeza has become a home for the most succulent meat and the spiciest chakalaka, with a secret ingredient that Spotong knows but can’t reveal.