Tavern Reviews: At your Service

TAVERN REVIEWS

AT YOUR SERVICE Spotong chats to leading liquor traders

PORTIA’S PLACE Owner: Portia Madlabane | Organisation: NTHA How did you get into the tavern trade? My late husband and I started dealing in liquor in 1989. We started so small and I remember that we pushed a wheelbarrow with our stock! We then got a shebeen permit and slowly grew our business. After my husband passed on, I struggled to operate because the permit was on his name but I persevered and I am very proud of how my tavern has grown through my struggles. What challenges do you face in this because it is starting to get dangerous for me and my staff. What do you enjoy most about being a tavern owner? I enjoy the fact that I am able to support myself with my own business. I also enjoy educating my patrons on responsible drinking and they respect me because I am a responsible trader. I love the fact that my patrons are relaxed and comfortable when they visit and they appreciate the meals that I sell and prepare for them. My tavern is an extension of me in every way! industry? One of my challenges is that I am often harassed by the police even though I am fully compliant. I also have a problem with criminals targeting my tavern because I am a woman and they think that it will be easy to steal from me. I am in the process of employing security How do you give back to your community? I have very poor neighbours who are suffering financially but I do my best to accommodate them whether they need a decent meal to eat or something to keep them warm.

Portia Madlabane owner of Portia's Place

Location: 5518 Ext Z12, Makgalema Street, Sebokeng

HADIS KITCHEN Owner: Halefele Motsau | Organisation: NTHA How did you get into the tavern trade? I was struggling financially and I decided to do something for myself and my children. I started with two cases in my home, which was so small at the time. are working in their chosen professions. If I didn’t start my tavern, my kids wouldn’t have had that opportunity so I would say that is what I have enjoyed most about being a tavern owner – giving my kids a big boost in life by sending them to university!

What challenges do you face in this Do you have future plans for your industry? tavern?

I find that my business is very quiet until payday every month and it seems to be getting worse as time goes by. I know that my patrons are struggling too and I am grateful that they choose to come to me for entertainment but I do get worried sometimes because business is slow. What do you enjoy most about being a tavern owner? Yes, I need to renovate. I desperately need to build an outdoor section as I am still operating out of my lounge and dining area inside my home. It is hard because my business is literally operating in the same space that I am meant to relax in my home so I can never really switch off and take time for myself. It is my wish to start operating outside of my home – and soon! My tavern has afforded both of my children the opportunity to attend university. My last-born graduated recently and I am proud to say that they Location: 1232 Moshoeshoe Street, Zone 10, Sebokeng

FIKZA’S PLACE Owner: Daphne Mtshai | Organisation: GLF

How did you get into the tavern trade? I started in 1995 selling two cases of beer in a shack. I started growing bigger and gaining more patrons over time as the area started developing. What challenges do you face in this industry? Do you have future plans for your tavern? I would really like to upgrade my tavern by converting it into a bottle store instead. There is less stress and the hours are much better if you run a bottle store. I am actively working towards that and really looking forward to it. How do you give back to your community?

My main challenge is the crime and the police that I have to deal with. I get raided even though I have a tavern license so they have no reason to target me and I am also fully compliant and I am a responsible trader. Another massive challenge we face in my area is the issue of fake police. They come into our businesses with the intention of confiscating our stock and stealing any cash we have on our premises. It is happening far too often now that we get robbed by fake police! I am active in my community when it comes to assisting those who are less fortunate than I am and those who really need a boost and a helping hand. There are a few kids in my community who have lost both parents so I am very active in assisting these kids by donating food, clothing and school items and just watching over them at all times and being there for them.

Daphne Mtshai, Fikza's Place

Location: 35289 Maraque Street, Barcelona, Ext 34, Daveyton

FARAZA’S PLACE Owner: Ephraim Fakude | Organisation: GLFHow did you get into the tavern trade? I initially started with a spaza shop but became interested in liquor trading after I started attending Gauliba meetings because I wanted to expand my business. I started trading in liquor in 2009 and was eventually licensed as a tavern in 2014. I still operate my spaza shop next door and haven’t looked back with both businesses. Do you have future plans for your tavern? Yes, I have big plans and I have a twoyear plan that I am working on. In the next two years, I want Faraza’s Place to be the go-to place for all patrons near and far. I am working on making my tavern the classiest spot and it will be a top-class tavern. Watch this space! How do you give back to your community?

Ephraim Fakude, What challenges do you face in this industry? We have a huge problem with the criminals and with the police who don’t always take our side and prefer to waste time by raiding us when they know we are compliant and we have bigger challenges that they are supposed to assist us with. I used to have a huge problem with gangsterism in this area but thankfully, the streets are now clean of them and the gangsters are gone. I give back to my community by donating food to the hungry and blankets to the elderly. I also organise entertainment for the community members on a regular basis like Zulu dancers which is always a big hit. Location: 34139 Barcelona Street, Daveyton

Faraza's Place

FOX’S PLACE Owner: Samuel Fox | Organisation: SALTA

How did you get into the tavern trade? Do you have future plans for your

I always wanted to have my own business and work for myself. I started in the liquor trade in 1996 and finally started operating with a tavern license in 2007. It took a while but it was worth it. I am proud of what my small business has grown into because it certainly isn’t small anymore! tavern? Yes! My dream is to grow this business into a proper restaurant where I will serve an assortment of meals and still keep the entertainment side. How do you give back to your

What challenges do you face in this industry? There is lots of competition in this industry, especially in my area. I try to keep my prices reasonable and host more functions to stand out from the rest and that works for me and keeps my patrons coming through my doors. Also, as with any business, this business has its up and downs and there are peak times and times where we are very quiet. community? I give back to my community by sponsoring soccer teams and soccer tournaments which I organise myself. I also bless the players with trophies, certificates and medals which I pay for out of my own pocket. Location: 2478-7 Eatonside, Residentia, Sebokeng

Samuel Fox, owner of Fox's Place

MANTSO’S PLACE Owner: Mantso Maruping | Organisation: SALTAHow did you get into the tavern trade? I was a struggling, single parent and I had to make a way for my children. I ordered two cases of beer and as soon as it was delivered, I started selling immediately. I finally got my tavern license in 2003. What challenges do you face in this industry? My main challenge is that there are so many taverns operating around me so it is hard to stay relevant. I have specials throughout the week and weekend, which my patrons enjoy and appreciate and it keeps them loyal to me. Another challenge I face is the inconsistent electricity supply that I have to deal with because I live in an RDP house and operate from my home. It is very frustrating because my beer stock cannot stay cold and it goes off too much and there isn’t any warning for me so I can at least prepare for it beforehand. What do you enjoy most about being a tavern owner? I enjoy being able to provide for my family and I get to spoil them often. I also enjoy the friendships that I have made over the years with my patrons and the new faces that I get to meet. How do you give back to your community? I give back to my community by hosting regular soup kitchens where I aim to feed as many hungry tummies as possible. I am also passionate about assisting the clinics in our area who assist injured women and children. I assist the patients as well and help to make them feel better whether they need something to eat or clean clothing. Location: 13796 Ext 7, Evaton West Mantso Maruping,owner of Mantso's Place