Lesego Malatsi - SouthAfrica.TO

PARTING SHOT BY
Loyiso Mbambo
The first ever entrepreneur to start a township theatre/restaurant
talks about his groundbreaking enterprise in Stellenbosch
WE ALWAYS knew that it would be a great
idea if audiences could experience the
excitement of real South African culture
while being encouraged to join the
party. So what we created at AmaZink
Live in Kayamandi in Stellenbosch is a
culturally authentic, interactive South
African musical and dining experience.
After we came up with the concept,
it took a lot of work, but with the help
of partners Jan Viviers, an attorney
who lives here in Kayamandi, Leon
de Wit, a retired actuary who is still
involved in various businesses and
has a small wine farm in Stellenbosch
and Bertus Basson, the well-known
chef, the dream became reality.
Luckily we were working with
some wonderful talent. Our frontline
performers Ramaine Barreiro Lloyd and
Richard Hala are supported by an eightpiece
chorus of hand-picked waiters who
can both serve and sing. This is part of
the magic that creates the atmosphere.
Some of the songs such as Pata
Pata, The Click Song, Meadowlands
and Mamma Tembu’s Wedding draw
the audience in before the evenings
really hot up with more recent numbers,
African Dream, Paradise Road, Special
Star and Diamonds on the Soles of
Her Shoes. Eventually it leads to an
all out party where the audience joins
the cast for one big party with songs
like Jabulani and Dance Some More.
The experience fits well with the
African, Malay and Afrikaans dishes
served. This is where Bertus showed
his genius by creating an authentic
local menu for the three-course
meal we serve with the show.
Transport formed part of the
conceptualisation process, and what
better way to arrive at the show than
in a real mini-bus? So we introduced
a service between Stellenbosch and
Kayamandi. For many of our guests
this is the first time they experience
public transport in the way millions of
South Africans experience each day.
We are lucky - the tourism and travel
trade are very excited about our initiative
because it adds another dimension to
our very unique tourism industry. What
I like is that this show is purely South
African, it’s lively, exciting and authentic
- perfect for locals and tourists alike.
PHOTOS BARRY LAMPRECHT
82 NOVEMBER 2011 INDWE