Rita Zwane is the founder of Imbizo Shisanyama fondly known as Busy Corner located in Tembisa Township. She tells us how she built one of the most popular Restaurants in the country turning over close to R30 million rand annually. Through hardwork and sheer dedication anyone can be successful no matter what background you are from.
Who is Rita Zwane?
Born in Kwa-Zulu Natal, Rita Zwane is the founder and managing director of Imbizo Shisanyama otherwise known to our loyal patrons as Busy Corner. Today the restaurant has become the recognised face of Shisanyama in South Africa. Pursuing her dream to own her own business Rita started a small Shisanyama on a street corner in Ivory Park with only two employees. Today Imbizo Shisanyama has become synonymous for celebrating traditional African lifestyle, culture and heritage in true style, class and dignity. Remaining true to African identity, these values are what has made the businesses achieve recognisable success and are the foundational pillars that the business has remained true to.
What thoughts do you have around Township Entrepreneurship and Township economies?
The value of townships is greatly undervalued in many respects. Firstly opportunities are most often offered to international franchises or famous brands like McDonalds or KFC without considering the value of local businesses. Instead of attracting and stimulating the surrounding economy most of these new shopping centres end up putting many small entrepreneurs out of business. As an entrepreneur myself I urge Government to favour small local businesses over international franchises for many reasons. Both the public and private sector should be encouraging the development of a value chain that will stimulate SMEs within townships. It’s well known that one small business can and does end up having a deeper impact on the surrounding community through job creation and other entrepreneurial opportunities. We are happy that our Honorable MEC Lebogang Maile from Gauteng Economic Development was in Ivory Park recently. His department is taking a leadership role in supporting township smme’s and the Revitalization of local township economies, a brilliant initiative we believe.
What inspired your decision to become a business owner and how did you manage to overcome challenges that many entrepreneurs face?
The dream to own my own business has always been a passion of mine. Firstly I wanted to make a difference to my family and then also to the surrounding community. I’ve tried different business opportunities but my passion for great African cuisine is what drove me to start a Shisanyama. It was through hard work, determination, patience and passion that my African dream has become a reality. Challenges offer entrepreneurs the ability to be creative, to learn and overcome. This is the true ingredient of success. I have also sacrificed quite a lot in my journey. My family has been instrumental and at one point had to pay the highest price of all in helping me to pursue this dream. I ended up giving away my home and moving into an RDP house in order to use the money to grow my business during the early years. Now many years later I am happy to say that the very house I gave up I was given the opportunity to buy back which is a real testimony that what you give up for your dreams will eventually come back to you if you persevere and have patience.
What are your thoughts on culture and heritage?
Since its establishment in 1997 Imbizo Shisanyama has prided itself in the history of Africa and continues to draw inspiration from our great African identity and various traditions. Historically for South African families it has always been a cultural experience to braai meat on an open fire when celebrating important occasions and performing traditional ceremonies with family and friends. This tradition whilst steeped in the African culture, has been practiced across all racial lines and class. Since the inception of Imbizo Shisanyama, we have always celebrated Heritage day and it is in fact the most important day on our calendar.
Does your business have any strategies alignments with community and what are your thoughts on social investment/community upliftment?
Imbizo Shisanyama would not be the success it is today without the amazing support of our loyal patrons and our surrounding community. We have several intiatives in place to inspire the surrounding youth to work hard and turn their dreams into reality. For example we support an academic learning organisation for Informed Choices (which runs classes every Saturday at the Holy Rosary Church in Ivory Park). Also many students from locally disadvantaged communities have been assisted through the Imbizo Bursary Programme which offers youth who are hungry to change their lives the opportunity to pursue a career in the food, beverage and hospitality sector in South Africa. Imbizo Shisanyama also supports over a 100 families from the surrounding community through various sustainable job creation opportunities.
What makes your business so successful?
It all boils down to remaining true to our African identity and celebrating African lifestyle and culture which keeps our patrons coming back year after year. We also allow our business to adapt and remain flexible to changing conditions whilst being attentive to our patrons requirements and needs. It is after all our patrons who make Imbizo Shisanyama a thriving business that is able to compete with even the most exclusive restaurants. In 2013 we were recognised as the true face of Shisanyama in South Africa when Imbizo Shisanyama won the National Small Business Champion award. This is not a price we take lightly and we truly attribute this success to the continued loyalty of our patrons over the last 17 years.
Any plans of venturing into other projects?
The vision for Imbizo Shisanyama is clear and that is to take Africa’s Ultimate Braai Experience to the rest of Africa and the world. In the same way that Sushi, Pizza and Pasta have become internationally recognised cuisines.
Any advice to young township individuals who would one day want to be like Rita Zwane?
Nothing can replace good old fashioned hard work, discipline, keeping a positive attitude and then of course patience. Entrepreneurs and our youth need to take advantage of the many opportunities presented to them and combined with these character attributes success is inevitable.
KASIBIZ MAHALA STAFF WRITER
