PROFILE
Tavern Owner
From Bartender to
Tavern Owner T
hirty years ago, 50-year-old Norman ‘Shakes’ Hlongwane left his tiny village of Malamulele in Limpopo and came to Johannesburg in a hunt for greener pastures. On arrival he stayed in Soweto and worked at George’s Tavern as a Bartender. Hlongwane’s ultimate dream had always been to own and run a tavern and he put in all the work to reach his dreams. It was at George’s Tavern where he learned all aspects of operating a tavern and in 2003 he finally realised his dream and opened the doors to his very own “Shakes Tavern” in Diepkloof Zone 2. Since he started his business, Hlongwane has had to face many challenges but believes none of these are exceptional to his operation. “There are many taverns and that brings about healthy competition but I don’t see that as a threat, instead I see it as the nature of every business. We welcome competition and the emergence of any new business in the community.” Shakes Tavern opens for trading on Fridays and Saturdays only, but since its inception has been hosting stokvel celebrations and many other community social events. His good business skills, passion and the way he treats his customers has given him an advantage over his competitors.
Norman ‘Shakes’ Hlongwane, owner of Shakes Tavern in Diepsloot Zone 2
As an entrepreneur Hlongwane has bigger ambitions, one of which is to own a bottle store. He believes as a businessman you must always explore different ways to grow and subsequently increase your income or profit. “If you have a dream or idea for any kind of business, you must never back off, you must pursue it and I know it’s never easy but one day you will realise it,” Hlongwane advises. www.spotongmag.co.za
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