TAVERN REVIEWS

MUMMY’S PLACE

Your maternal home of beer ... Location: 1937 Zone 9 Meadowlands

Elisa Motsamai, better known in the community as “Mommy”, has at the age of 66 been more than a mother to the community of zone 9 and those neighbouring. It all began with the formation of the association NTHA in the year 2000, together with the two women Fani Mokoena and the late Mavis Moelase, with genuine assistance from the then station commissioner of Meadowlands, an Afrikaans man they called “Sny-man”. Mommy recalls how back in 1988 when she first began crime was the order of the day, and how Sny-man then had to command that di-Spoto (shebeens) be closed down. This is where the Batswana proverb “Mmangwana oo tshwara thipa kafa bogaleng” came ino relevance: the 3 women of NTHA had to step in, with the previous knowledge and understanding of previous associations, NAFCOC and SALTA, and they had to put on a brave face to reach an unwritten understanding with Sny-man. Not only did the commissioner agree to their terms of business, but he took it upon himself to closely monitor and assist; he offered advice and guided their ways with a condition that after three months’ probation, if the crime level was the same or had gone up, all shebeens would be shut down.

Mommy Elisa Motsamai, although she began operating from 1988, only obtained her permit in 2003. Her beginnings were humble: she had to run her business in her four-roomed family house, which has now been extensively extended and renovated. The establishment is now successfully operating and can accommodate 50 patrons to its capacity. It has a total of three employees. Mommy also offers her customers a meal that is every township’s favourite; half skop (pig head), pap and her famous chakalaka. She however has quite strict rules about who she allows in her establishment: teenagers have no place whatsoever at Mummy’s. She currently resides with one of her daughters and three grandchildren. For a single mother to three children, after the husband lost his life in a car crash, Mommy has done amazingly well for herself and the children. She prides herself hugely too on the gift of life of education she granted them. Smoking at Mummy’s place has its own designated areas.

Halala Mommy Elisa Motsamai! This is a success story of note!

MAPULA’S INN Why would you say no to another beer? We were captivated by how neat and clean the yard was, the soothing sounds of your Sunday classics, just the right feel to township life, another attraction being the mouth-watering aroma of her famous maotwana (chicken feet). Mme Mapula welcomed Spotong into her lovely lounge and again welcomed the ten-minute interview we conducted. The last thing Spotong wants is to keep entrepreneurs away from duty for too long! A Portugese proverb suggests that “money is not gained by losing time.” Mme Mapula proves to have followed suit: she only obtained her permit in 2007 but had long begun with her business; the permit was 5 years late as she began in the year 2002. Balancing her income with the few profits that come with maotwana and bunny chows, business remains quite a promising pursuit. The community of Tladi are well taken care of: they know very well that they can rely on Mapula’s Inn - a place to be rid of thirst and fill their tummy’s; not even the famously famished “ScoobyDoo” would complain. Mapula’s Inn does not disappoint: Spotong has only been there once but has fallen in love with the authentic township feel it has, the decor, its traditional food, down to the setup of tables and chairs, the drinks come in cots, you would think you are in the middle of Hollywood. “My association with NTHA taught me how to manage my business well and most importantly being crime alert as I only reside with my partner and so far only needed one employee. I remember how I started with off-consumption (take away) trading, and later had to reroute to in-consumption (stay in) trading, it has been a journey, ”says Mapula Sekwati. “If you believe in yourself and have dedication, pride and never subjecting self to quit, you’ll be a winner. The price of victory is high but so are the rewards.”

Would you say no to another? Location 1104 Majoro Street Tladi

TSHIDI’S PLACE If you’ve got the time, we’ve got the beer... Location: 818b Zone 1 Vincent road Meadowlands and ultimate goal with her business is to are much improved,” says Tshidi. “I offer luxury and entertainment for her open shop 10am, Monday to Sunday patrons. Tshidi Tshabako acquired her liquor permit in the year 2004, although she started her business in 1998, while running a spaza shop. This interview was historic: we had first leaned on Mme Tshidi’s first deep freezer as long as 17 years ago. Spotong likes getting involved in matters of such significance. It was shortly after having joined NTHA in 2001 that her business took the turn that it has enjoyed ever since. and close off depending on customer availability, however no later than 2am,” she continues. With three employees in total, including her son who is still home, the establishment offers full-on service and innovation. Mme Tshidi’s spouse’s commitment to his full time employment is rarely felt. She adds that he does his level best to assist with the running of the business whenever he can. The community of Zone 1 is reported to be one of minimum crime ratings. Mme Tshidi tells Spotong that she is usually only bothered by feuds of drunkenness: her yard is well secured with hidden cameras for surveillance, and she also self monitors situations while in the comfort of her family sitting room and alerts her employees of anything that might seem dodgy or dissatisfying. Mme Tshidi is still striving to grow the

Mme Tshidi Tshabako is a mother and a wife. She mentions how the support Tshidi’s place is also known to not support or encourage smoking in areas that might be detrimental to business further; we shall leave the driving to her. of her family has been tremendously non smoking patrons: there encouraging over the years. Her one are designated areas for child still resides with them and is said this, and this trait has even to be of great help as they still operate become a norm. Tshidi’s on their family yard but hope to change place is a constantly evolving the story in the not too distant future. establishment and therefore able to host meeting and social

“I have achieved greatness ever since gatherings every now and again. my association with NTHA; I’ve been to She offers customers snacks too

Mauritius with the ladies, I’ve managed beside their choice of alcoholic to purchase a car and my savings too beverages. Mme Tshidi’s focus

MANIKIE’S PLACE

ups and have long left home. With his A hard earned thirst needs a big cold beer! Location: 397 Hlatswayo street Orlando East. authentic taste in music, he gathers

Although Ntate Manikie’s accent his friends and patrons every now and may have sounded like a mix of again to enjoy their choice of drinks and Black and White over the phone get to reminisce on life’s happy times. when Spotong got in contact His business really took a turn after he with him, it was the way that throughout joined the renowned association NTHA: the interview, he stuck to his guns and he began taking responsibility for all communicated in the beautiful language that he needed to, his management and of isiZulu that got Spotong intrigued. marketing skills improved and he is able to stick to his operational hours. He Manikie’s place, unlike many others, is opens shop daily without fail. an off consumption (take away) shebeen. Ntate Manikie started this type of Like any other purpose-driven business, business from 2006 after he received his grievances exist, and Manikie had this first permit in 2003. He began stocking to say about what he’s encountering: up at South African Breweries and “Licences and/or licensing has been the later decided to begin supporting local nightmare for as long as I can remember, wholesalers and still does. we are really given a hard time. The government is not in our favour as it Manikie runs his business from his claims to be, they make unreasonable home where he resides with his wife demands without work-shopping us as and brother. His children are grown they should, we end up with so little to do in order to advance ourselves, is that their way of subsiding poverty?” The community of Hlatswayo Street, Orlando East, are forever cautious and on the lookout for crime: they have voluntary wardens of the night, they make no place for oddities. He underwent another voluntary stint by resigning from his last job to start his business. It all began with a case or two of the brand of beer, Lion Lager (“Waar was julle? he asked us, jokingly.) Ntate Manikie offers the following advice: “Success is simple. Do what’s right, the right way, at the right time.”