Tavern Reviews: At your Service

TAVERN REVIEWS

AT YOUR SERVICE Spotong chats to leading liquor traders THOM'S TAVERN Owner: Nomia Selepe | Organisation: NTHA

How did you get into the tavern trade? intoxication. I also don’t allow my staff to sell alcohol to underage patrons.

I became a tavern trader in order to support my family and to become selfsufficient. What challenges do you face in this industry? My challenge is the armed robberies. Trading in liquor is risky as the criminals know that you have cash in your business and the liquor stock that we keep is worth a lot of money too so we become easy targets for these criminals. Do you have future plans for your tavern? Yes, it is important to me to continually improve and upgrade my business in every way so I am always on the lookout for ways that I can improve the way I operate my business which includes the systems that I use in the day-to-day running of the tavern. Location: 24532 Metsing Street, Ext 3, KwaThema, Springs

How do you encourage your patrons to drink responsibly?

I encourage my patrons to stop drinking before they reach the stage of

Nomia Selepe

QUEEN’S PLACE Owner: Queen Motaung | Organisation: NTHA

How did you get into the tavern trade?

I started trading in liquor in 1991. I remember buying two cases of beer from the bottle store in my area and then reselling them separately.

What challenges do you face in this industry?

My main challenge are the patrons who abuse alcohol. I try to overcome this challenge by not serving drunk patrons but there are always those that drink to get drunk and then harass other patrons, especially if they know that they won’t be served anymore.

What sets your tavern apart from the rest of the taverns in your area?

My tavern is better because I make sure that my prices are affordable. My location is also nearby to my patrons’ homes and easy to walk to. I have also created a lovely atmosphere where my patrons can relax, watch live soccer or their favourite soap opera or listen to some jazz or RnB hits.

Do you have future plans for your tavern?

Yes, I would like to start serving a full menu in the near future and possibly start hosting my own events like a jazz festival day, which I am sure will bring feet through the doors.

Location: 9659 Ngubeni Street, KwaThema, Springs

NICE KITCHEN Owner: Dieketseng Mofokeng | Organisation: KALTA

How did you get into the tavern trade? I started trading in the late nineties. It was my mother’s tavern and I took over the family business after she had passed on. I am thankful that I was able to continue her legacy and I am grateful to God for everything, including my business, and that I am still here to enjoy this life. What do you enjoy most about being a tavern owner? I love the people! My patrons and I share a special bond and it makes my trade worth it. The other part that I enjoy is my soccer team. They are the best! We play against other taverns and often play in the Smirnoff Raga Bolo Tournament at the Huntersfield Stadium. I am very proud of my team. and I planned well in advance so that I would have enough stock. From now on, I will continue to operate throughout the holiday season and will take a vacation later in the year. Do you have future plans for your tavern? Yes. My biggest dream that I would like to achieve by the time I reach the age of sixty, is to open a bottle store and become a distributor to other businesses. I am working very hard to achieve this goal! Location: 176 Mopedi Section, Ntshala Street, Katlehong

How was business during the past holiday season?

Business was booming! It was the first time that I stayed open during the holiday season and I am surprised that it went so well. My place was packed

Dieketseng from Nice Kitchen

TSELENG’S INN Owner: Tseleng Motsei | Organisation: KALTAHow did you get into the tavern trade? to my children so they also have their own business to run one day. I was retrenched at work. I decided to start selling beers and applied for a tavern license in 1993. I started very small but quickly worked my way up and I have never looked back. What challenges do you face in this How do you give back to your community? Every year, I host a braai and feed my community members. That is my way of saying thank you and I can show them that I appreciate them and their support.industry? My main challenge is my location. I am usually closed by 9pm as we don’t have lots of customers staying very late. I cater for the older crowd so perhaps that is the reason why but I prefer it that way as my tavern remains peaceful and a great place to enjoy your liquor responsibly. Location: 500 Phooko Section, Sontonga Street, Katlehong

Do you have future plans for your tavern?

Yes, I would definitely like to renovate and make my space a lot bigger. My future plan includes leaving my tavern

MIZO’S PLACE Owner: Mabel Sithole | Organisation: SALTA

How did you get into the tavern trade?

I started trading in 2004. I started with a few cases and carried on until I had the space to sell more and grew from there. Although my space is still not big enough, I can proudly say that I have created jobs for others and now employ four people to assist me in running my tavern.

How do you encourage your patrons to drink responsibly?

I make sure that there is water for everyone and I have an African food menu, which my patrons enjoy and love, so everyone always has a full stomach before they start drinking. I even go a step further and put condoms in the bathrooms to protect my patrons and I replenish the condoms often which means that they are taking them and protecting themselves.

Do you have future plans for your tavern?

Yes, I am planning to renovate my tavern to make the space a lot bigger. I also want to start attracting more of the younger crowd. Besides upgrading the size, I want to grow my business faster and make it sustainable so that I can leave it to my son and daughter one day.

How do you give back to your community?

I give back to my community when there are funerals. I am the one that donates tables and chairs and if food is needed, I am more than happy to assist them by buying vegetables.

Location: 540 Killi Fish Street, Ext 1, Kaalfontein, Midrand

Ms Mabel Sithole from Mizo's Place

BONNY’S TAVERN Owner: Bonny Sibanda | Organisation: SALTA

How did you get into the tavern trade?

I started trading in 2006 because I knew the importance of working for yourself and being your own boss. That is the way to a successful future.

What challenges do you face in this industry?

My main challenge is the unlicensed shebeens. They don’t adhere to the rules and operate until whatever time they feel. I adhere to my trading hours of 10am to 2am but I am losing customers because when I close, my customers will go straight to the unlicensed shebeens and continue partying there. They make the area unsafe and they allow people to drink irresponsibly.

Do you have future plans for your tavern?

I would like to create more jobs within my tavern for people who are unemployed and seeking work. I would then offer them positions such as security guards to help get them on their feet again.

How do you give back to your community?

Every year I buy school uniforms for the kids who need them at our local school. I also host an annual Christmas lunch for the needy kids and especially for the orphaned kids that reside in our community. That is the highlight each year for Bonny’s Tavern and everyone comes together to spoil and support these kids. They have a wonderful time too!

Location: 15310 Limpopo Drive, Ext 3, Ivory Park, Midrand