8 minute read
TAVERN REVIEWS
from Spotong Issue 18
by 3S Media
MEET THE PEOPLE OF SPOTONG We profile some of the enterprising tavern owners of Gauteng TAVERN REVIEWS
MARTINO’S PLACE Owner: Martha Dlamini, a member of the NTHA since 2004, also the secretary of the Thulani branch.
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How long have you been in business?
I’ve been in business when I was still residing in Naledi since 1986. I then moved to Mndeni Extension 2 in 1989. It’s only in 1994 that I moved here, my current address. Funny, I was only awarded my permit in 2006.
What meals do your customers most enjoy?
Well, I only serve hot wings and fries. They love them! And every now and again, I also sell pies.
How do you handle a difficult customer?
I talk things through. I remain as calm and collected as I can possibly be.
How are you giving back to the community?
Collectively as NTHA, we have “Christmas in July” where we give our time and goodies (including blankets) to old aged people. NTHA also spearheads a Victim Empowerment campaign which provides health kits to victims of all sorts of abuse or violence.
How do you effectively communicate new specials or special events to your customers?
My establishment has a notice board. I use it as effectively as I can.
Location: 34351 Block 11, Hola street, Thulani, Doornkop
Ms Martha Dlamini
ALFRED’S PLACE Owner: Lindi Mthimunye. A member of SALTA since 1999 and now Chairperson of Kwa-Tsaduza Association, Lindi is a local supplier of beer. She sells beer in crates as her primary source of income, but also has a side business as a tailor. She tailors the most beautiful blankets.
How long have you been in business?
I’ve been in business since 1994. It was so hard back in the days. Me and my husband were both unemployed, we then saw it fitting to begin this business. We started by selling from a fourroomed house without a licence, which we only got later on in 2006.
In what ways are you giving back to the community?
I am an employer. I have about seven permanent staff and a few temporary ones. The temps are specifically there to offload crates upon delivery.
Ms Lindi Mthimunye
What is your top selling cigarette brand?
Cotleigh.
How can tavern owners can encourage responsible drinking?
Being a member of an association helps. We are taught and encouraged on this a lot. What we learn, we pass onto our consumers. That in turn produces the best results. We take responsibility for encouraging what is right for our consumers.
What meals do you prepare? Which ones do your consumers prefer?
I prepare different meals, from amanqina, kotas to pap and braai meat. “Pap and vleis” as my customers call it is everyone’s favourite.
Location: 8745 Modjadji street, Tsakane, Brakpan
EPALAMENTENI TAVERN Owner: Violet Mangope. A member of NTHA since 2000, also the Treasurer of the Thulani branch.
How long have you been in business?
I’ve been in business since 1991. It was really not easy back then, my community did not even have electricity. I remember I had to buy a gas refrigerator. It has really been a journey.
How are you giving back to the community?
As any other community member with capacity, I make myself available to help out at community funerals and have also identifed impoverished families as well as child-headed ones that we help regularly.
What meals do your customers most enjoy?
The traditional “bogobe le mogodu”, samp, chakalaka and stews too.
What advice would you give to people who want to start their own business?
I’d really stress that they are mindful of their neighbours if the business is run from home, with any kind of business actually. I also encourage patience and respect for people, young and old, the people are your business.
Ms Violet Mangope
What is your top selling cigarette brands?
Well, I only sell Peter Stuyvesant and Cotleigh. My customers prefer Cotleigh.
Location: 5419 Gwaza street, Block 2, Thulani
FREEGO LIQUOR & RESTAURANT Owner: Vicky Brandt. Her establishment speaks for itself. It has grown from strength to strength over the years. She prides herself on community support that she gets.
How long have you been in business?
I’ve been in business since 2005. I was fortunate enough to be granted a permit in the very month that I applied for it.
I am SALTA’s Women’s League Assistant Chairlady. As a collective, we give back in a form of clothing, footwear, food and toiletries. We’ve been to both the Orlando and Alexandra hospices.
How do you handle a difficult customer?
Remaining calm and trying to get an understanding of the customer’s dissatisfaction is always the best way to get through tense situations.
How do you effectively communicate specials?
My establishment has a notice board. I write up all that I need to communicate. Facebook helps me with effectively promoting my events too.
FAREWELL MS. NKOPANE ELIZABETH MOLOTSI
From all of us at Spotong Magazine we extend our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Ms. Nkopane Elizabeth Molotsi, who passed away on 8 June 2016. Ms. Molotsi was featured in our May edition of Spotong for her success as an influential tavern owner in Katlehong. We wish her three daughters comfort and strength in this very sad time. May she rest in peace.
What is your most important factors when hiring stuff?
I look for a good personality. Interviews are very necessary, I am really after strong characters and mindsets. Someone who can withstand pressure.
Location: 383 Bleinheim Street, Ormonde View
EL PASSO VILLA RESTAURANT Owner: Amara Khalef; Naauwpoort, Witbank
Amara Khalef is the owner of El Passo Villa Restaurant, which is also a tavern and night club on the weekend. He bought the well-oiled business from Lynette Steyn, 18 months ago. The originally female owned business is the most successful tavern and restaurant in Naauwpoort.
How long have you been in business?
The business itself has been running for more than five years, however I only took over as the new owner 18 months ago. And joined Club 10 a year ago. products have a longer shelf life. However what stands out the most for me is the signage they put up. This has made my business look very attractive. They also allowed me to help with the design of the signage which I am very proud of.
Which are your top selling liquor brands:
On the weekend, at the night club, the hot stuff (spirits) sell more, and weekdays the SAB beers sell faster. The top selling spirits are Three Ships whiskey and Smirnoff 1818 Vodka.
As a Club 10 member I am happy to stock my supplies from Witbank Cash and Carry Liquor as I get Club 10 discounts. Club 10 has also given me fridges which has helped me with keeping my beverages cold and food However since we had the Tovaritch Vodka promotion, this brand has been sneaking to the top and doing very well. My top selling beer, by far, is Castle Lite.
Well for now I am still focusing on upgrading the establishment. A lot of the other taverns in our area were closed down for trading illegally, so I try to make sure that everything is above board and that my tavern looks good. I have also added other businesses which benefit the community like a convenience store.
El Passo Tavern
EYETHU TAVERN
Owner: Silvia and Aphilile Qwebani; Eastern Cape, Bizana
How long have you been in business?
I have been running my tavern for four years now as the official source of income for my family.
Since I became a Club 10 member, I’ve been getting a lot of benefits from them. Because of Club 10, my tavern is a lot more attractive as result of all the promotional signage on the outside. They print pamphlets for me to promote my tavern and give me free merchandise for my patrons. However what stands out the most for me is the counselling I receive from them when my sales are down. So they also care about your business making money.
Which are your top selling liquor brands:
We sell a lot of Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff Vodka and White Horse whiskey. On the beer side of things, we sell a lot of Castle Milk Stout and Castle Larger. I must say my overall top seller is SAB’s Castle Milk Stout. upgrade my bouquet to get more channels that my patrons are asking for. I get a lot of compliments from the community about my establishment. I even have patrons that used to frequent other establishments coming to our tavern, thanks to Club10.
I try to help the community wherever I can. We recently had a gentleman pass away in our neighbourhood. I was able to assist his family with a R6000 contribution to his burial to ease the burden on his family.
What makes your Club10 tavern different to other taverns?
Club 10 has really made my tavern look beautiful and stand out from the others close by. Not only did they put up beautiful signage, they painted the walls as well with great colours. They also assisted me in the process of applying for a DSTV for my establishment. I have now decided to
