What’s the Buzz at Busy Corner?

Imbizo where people meet

The first time I heard about Imbizo Shisa Nyama  a.k.a busy corner I was driving home listening to a radio show about Heritage day,   the presenter was waxing lyrical about Imbizo Shisa Nyama.  A place she described as the perfect spot to enjoy a truly South African meal in good company.

My curiosity was piqued,  yet it took me a few months before I made my way to Ivory Park/Tembisa to find out for myself if this place was really all it was made up to be. I took a few of my friends along who had never been to a Shisa Nyama so we could judge for ourselves.  As we approached Imbizo from the distance we saw a multitude of gleaming cars parked on the side of the road, a clear indicator as to why it’s called busy corner.  Much to my surprise finding parking was not a hassle, the car guards were highly efficient and friendly. 

 Walking in we were welcomed by the security staff, the area was already packed with local revellers enjoying a beer to some smooth Sunday jams. My taste buds were tantalized by a breeze saturated with the smell of meat on the braai; all of a sudden I was hungry.

To our delight the manager quickly sorted us out with a table so we could start sampling Imbizo’s offerings.

Service with a smile

Whilst waiting for our food I had the fortune of meeting the lady behind this thriving establishment, Sis Rita Zwane a bubbly, driven businesswoman from Umlazi who started her business in a container with a tiny 2 litre pot that only made 10 units of pap.

Left to right: NomadicMichelle, Sis Rita Zwane & Maps

 Her first income was R97, taken aback by this revelation I asked what encouraged her to carry on when her first income was so small, passion she answered.

The 2L pot a reminder that we all have to start somewhere

Having held down 3 jobs she gave it all up to follow her dream of being a leading restaurateur, having frequented different Shisa Nyama’s I can definitely say that she is leading the pack in this industry.  Imbizo is pure class, coupled with the authentic feeling of being at a African gathering, where laughter is abound with others enjoying conversation and dance whilst indulging in a meal.

a client celebrating her birthday , with Rita cheering her on.

Rita clearly knows the value of making clients feel special
 as she hugs and wishes the Birthday girl well.  

What really blew my socks off though was finding out that the production of chakalaka, shatini (a tomato  salad similar to salsa) and jeqe (traditional steamed bread) has been out sourced to community members  therefore allowing them to make a living from Imbizo as well.

Getting ready to tuck in -  far right corner Jede & Chakalaka and yes the delicious braai'ed meat.

In a world where most people want all profits for themselves Sis Rita is a true game changer creating sustainable growth not only for herself but for members of her community.

Freddy Loved Imbizo, could not stop raving about the food and service

Cindy  keeping us happy and smiling.

I loved how amazing the staff were, it was no different from wining and dining in Sandton, our waitress Cindy was superb and on the ball. The DJ, Baron came through to introduce himself and let us know that if we had any dedications he was the man to chat to.

DJ Baron on the Decks 

They say you can tell a lot about an establishment through their toilets and I’m happy to say that is a professional establishment!  How they manage to keep the toilets clean and well equipped with so many clients moving in and out is a miracle in itself. I think mother nature felt the need to answer this question because not long after it started raining, the first person to run out and clear the tables in the rain was none other than Rita, showing the importance of leading by example.

Rita folding table cloths along with Isaac a member of her team.

The place in its entirety reminds me of a Chameleon, for its forever evolving,  its starts off slow with family and friends meeting for lunch and then the party revellers descend to enjoy a few drinks and burn some rubber on the dance floor.

a fully stocked bar & a nolstagic moment for me; a black woman
 owning a thriving business.
Now there is something to drink to - Cheers to 20years of Freedom

 By the time we were leaving there was a Dutch group having the time of their lives dancing the night away.  At the front of Imbizo there were people doing “the step” made famous by R Kelly it was like a family wedding where the celebration is so wonderful that leaving feels like you will be missing out on the best times.  I didn't want to leave I wanted to jump behind and step the night away.

I don’t know why it took me so long to visit Imbizo but it was worth the drive and if you haven’t been, you have to go!  Make it a goal to find this place, otherwise contact me and I will happily take you there any excuse to have a good time.

When convenience becomes an inconvenience

Gautrain Bus

Gaubus for people on the move …or not.

A month ago I found myself in a predicament, as I was entering the Gau-bus from Monte Casino heading to Sandton, the machine let out a buzzing noise… insufficient funds it read.  My heart sank, not because I had insufficient funds but because I knew that this meant I was not going to be allowed in the bus, therefore delaying my arrival to my destination.   Secondly it meant for my sins spending a whole R100 on a new card at Sins!  A supposed convenience store that enjoys the comfort of being the only store that sells Gautrain cards but cannot allow you to recharge your Gautrain card.

I found myself asking why in heavens name we do not have the same easy to use, reloading Gau- Machines that you find at the Gautrain stations at Monte Casino and Brightwater Commons.  Why? Surely if the bus driver cannot take money, then you would make sure that your customer's travel experience is not disrupted by moments such as these where they are left stranded because they are missing R2 for the fare.   Travel anywhere else in the world where they have systems like this and you will find that at there are reloading stations in places where people are most likely to realise that they have not recharged. 

Gau-bus is convenient until you have not recharged, I have had fellow travellers stranded for a while at Brightwater commons because they did not recharge, imagine being a tourist and being stuck with no alternative.  This also places the bus drivers in a predicament,  if he wanted to assist you by law he cannot allow you into the bus without paying your fare because other people will assume that he is offering preferential treatment. You also cannot really ask you fellow commuters for assistance without looking like a social pest.   Gautrain does most things very well, like instilling the law and running the train but they definitely have not thought out the Monte Casino and Brightwater Commons reloading stations.  Its little things like this that can make jo’burg a undesirable destination for those who are used to efficient travel. as a traveler I want to move around with ease, not to be roadblocked by the system.

It’s something that really needs to be addressed, these reloading machines take up as much space as an ATM therefore I cannot understand why they do not already have these reloading machines installed.  If security is the issue then install one that uses no cash just debit/credit cards. Lets think outside the box and solve the problem.   Searching on the web I discovered that Gautrain customer care service is renowned for dropping the phone on their clients ears  I'm hoping this will not be the case as  my only request to Gautrain is to please run this service to suit the convenience of your customers. Give us Gautrain reloading machines at Brightwater Commons and Monte Casino.

This Gentle Brother saved my bacon on that fateful day, he paid my fare. 

1 thing successful travelista’s know how to do

Moonlit Picnic 

These past 2 months have been a blur, I went from having a slow, lazy holiday in Umlalazi; a secluded beach resort in Mtunzini straight into a Jam packed Jo’burg trail-blazer month. With events such as the craft beer festival and raspberry picking on a farm with 90 000 bushes where does one find the time to see their family and friends?

Since February is the month of love, the plan has been to create moments that my family and friends can be part off.  Summer in Jo’burg is the perfect companion to the month of love as the weather is splendid and there are plenty places to explore.

I was totally inspired by this idea from Just Darling and decided to host a Moonlight picnic in my garden for a few friends. 

setting the mood

It turned out to be a magnificent evening of laughter and conversation, a perfect way to catch up with everyone.   It was so Awesome that I have decided that I will host another one of these Full moon picnics before the end of summer.

Looking forward to another Moon Picnic Soon

Other Highlight I'm looking forward to this month:

 - Taking a group of friends from Couchsurfing to Busy Corner to sample South African Shisanyama.
 - Finally going raspberry picking