What’s the Buzz at Busy Corner?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.