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Template:Infobox music venue Mzoli's (also known as Mzoli's Place, Mzoli's Meat, or Mzoli's Butchery) is a butchery in Gugulethu, a township on the outskirts of Cape Town, South Africa. Since Mzoli's opened in early 2003, the restaurant has become a popular gathering spot for Cape Town residents and a tourist attraction. However, amongst Gugulethu's residents, Mzoli's Place has a reputation for public drunkenness and disrespect for the local community. Mzoli's is named after the founder and owner, Mzoli Ngcawuzele.

History

The establishment opened in early 2003. Owner Mzoli Ngcawuzele obtained start-up funding from the Development Bank of South Africa, which supports black-owned businesses. In October 2006, an economic study said that Mzoli had "moved, from selling meat informally from a garage, to owning one of the most popular hangouts in Cape Town".

In November 2006, more than 30 restaurant patrons, including a group of tourists and Democratic Alliance councillor Masizole Mnqasela, were arrested in a police raid for public drinking. The restaurant did not sell liquor, but Ngcawuzele explained that he could not stop people from bringing their own alcohol. The incident generated controversy in the local press. Tour operator Ryan Hunt claimed that police swore at the patrons and threatened people for asking questions. "The police created a dangerous situation. People are always encouraged to visit township attractions, but now they are turned away with that kind of situation," he said. Mnqasela, a member of Cape Town's economic development committee, added, "Mzoli's is internationally acclaimed and is key to township tourism. What kind of message are the police sending?" The African National Congress approved the police actions, citing a need to curtail public drunkenness.

Business

Located in the township of Gugulethu, a black neighbourhood 15 kilometres southeast of the centre of Cape Town, Mzoli's is a "do-it-yourself" market and eatery, selling meat to patrons who in turn hire independent entrepreneurs running braai stalls on the grounds to grill the meat and prepare meals. Mzoli's also provides live entertainment and has become noted as a venue for deep house and kwaito music.

As well as local people, Mzoli's attracts television stars, DJs such as DJ Fresh, politicians such as Tony Yengeni, businesspeople, tourists, and college students. Mzoli's is considered to be a "base camp" where "black diamonds" (a local term for an upwardly mobile class of township-based blacks who are at home in the corporate world) gather and network. In September 2006, Sasha Planting of Financial Mail called it "the destination for everyone".

Tourism

Mzoli's is a key part of tourism in the area. An example of a tourist-centred activity is the Mzoli's Shebeen Experience, in which tourists are brought to the township from their hotels in Cape Town. In this context, a shebeen is a local bar that sells food. As part of the tour, Mzoli speaks about township life and how Gugulethu has revived since the 1990s. The lunch provided includes local meats and food such as Karoo lamb, boerewors, potjie, umngqusho (samp and beans), mielie pap and mielies. Guests can drink beer and local Cape wine, and Cape jazz and marimba players supply entertainment.

Criticism

While Mzoli's Place has a good reputation outside Gugulethu, some local residents claim unfairness in the owner's business practices. Protesters at Mzoli's had charged that Ngcauwezele intimidates rather than consults with area residents. In response to threats that his property may get vandalised, Ngcauwezele has called some protesters "criminal thugs." Protesters have hit back, saying that if they were criminals they would be rich like Ngcauwezele.

References

1. Adami, Kelly (2005-08-25). "They may be Legless, but they're going places". Financial Mail. Retrieved 2007-09-17. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
2. ^ "Mzoli's - the ultimate user-generated restaurant". cherryflava. 2007-05-02. Retrieved 2007-09-17. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
3. ^ Zara Nicholson and Murray Williams. "Tourists and DA councillor held in Gugs drinking raid". Cape Argus. 2006-11-20. p. 1
4. "Gugulethu residents to protest against new Mall backed the famous Mzoli and Old Mutual". Anti-Eviction Campaign.
5. "Where would we go if it shut down?". City Vision. 2004-11-25. Retrieved 2007-09-17. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
6. Zama feni, Leila Samodien and Murray Williams (2007-01-03). "Mzoli's new cross to bear". Independent Online. Retrieved 2007-09-17. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
7. Mtyala, Quinton. "Some first sunset sundowner places in Cape Town". come2capetown.com. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
8. ^ Unathi Kondile. "Mzoli's Meat". Youth Radio. Retrieved 2007-09-17.
9. Ana Deumert and Nkululeko Mabandla (18 to 20 October 2006). "Language, Communication Networks and Economic Participation, Towards an Inclusive Economy" (PDF). University of Cape Town. Retrieved 2008-01-22. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
10. ^ Vusi Nzapheza. "Patrons harassed". Cape Times. 2006-11-21. p. 3.
11. Zara Nicholson. "Swearing cops 'disgust' arrested tour operator". Cape Argus. 2006-11-22. p.5.
12. Nicole Alper. "Captivating Capetown, South Africa". Essence. February 2007. p. 216.
13. ^ Sasha Planting. "A taste of ekasi. Mzoli's Butchery". Financial Mail. 2006-09-15. p. 20.
14. Dominique Herman (2006-09-18). "Black diamonds juggle urban, township worlds". Cape Times. Retrieved 2007-09-17. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
15. "David vs Goliath in Gugulethu". Mail&Guardian. 2008-10-15. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
16. "Mzoli promises protesters jobs". Cape Argues. 2008-10-17. Retrieved 2008-10-131. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
17. "Vandalism threatens new Gugs mall". Cape Argues. 2008-10-15. Retrieved 2008-10-16. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
18. "Gugulethu will not be ruled by big-business!". Anti-Eviction Campaign. 2008-10-15. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)

• Buildings and structures in Cape Town
• Butchers
• Restaurants in South Africa
• Tourism in South Africa