Food & Home Entertaining

MZOLI NGCAWUZELE
OF MZOLI’S
By Jenny Handley
INTEREST
When Mzoli Ngcawuzele opened Mzoli’s
in Gugulethu, he did it to make
a difference and to create a positive
impact on his community. He has
always loved food and people. Starting in his garage
initially selling the insides of sheep
and other offal, the restaurant
opened in 1999.
While his special recipes, unique spices
and quality meat are renowned, Mzoli’s
is famous for more than that – for
bringing locals and tourists together to
experience a slice of township life. Here,
you order your meat from the butchery
next door and relax in the open-air
restaurant with family and friends while the braai masters
cook your food. South African favourites like pap are
served alongside your meal and customers can bring
in their own drinks.
Mzoli’s wife and daughter are both involved in the business,
and so were his two sons. His advice to anyone considering
“You must love what you do,
stay focused and be honest –
that is the key.”
the restaurant business is simple: “You must love what
you do, stay focused and be honest – that is the key.” He
has many happy memories peppered with the sadness of
losing his two sons, and also the shock when Anni Dewani
was murdered nearby. “Mzoli’s turned blue, as here we care
MZOLI NGCAWUZELE
about our community. It was a big setback and sadness
for us.”
His ultimate challenge? “To accept that we are operating
in a tight space, but if we increase the size of the business,
we could lose the heart of what we do. So, here we stay.”
MZOLI’S, NY 115, GUGULETHU, CAPE TOWN; 021-638-1355