Township culture and vibe a winner at Mayville’s Cafe Skyzer

MAYVILLE resident, Bless Makhanya, and his shisa nyama venue in Mayville, Cafe Skyzer, has been listed in Durban’s Top 7 in the Shisa Nyama Awards 2016, where for the first time in SA history, shisa nyama’s are being judged and awarded for excellence in service, venue, ambience and food.

Bless, who was born and raised in Chesterville, started his working career as a rep for Rothmans. It was while repping that he became inspired by the township vibe and food he observed in Soweto, especially in places like Sakhumzi’s and Nambitha in Vilakazi Street. “I went to the restaurants frequently and got to learn the very cosmopolitan lifestyle where tourists and locals of all races got to experience the township culture. It was a boiling pot of people from the locals to Germans and Americans, where traditional food was fused with the western way. It was a great ambiance and great food, and I fell in love with the idea,” he said.

This inspiration coupled with his entertainment heritage, Bless decided to bring the cosmopolitan lifestyle to Mayville. His desire was to build a place that would bring many cultures together, from all over the world, to experience township culture.

“I started looking for a place in 2007, but a property and funding didn’t come easily. I found a place in Chesterville and eventually convinced the owner to sell it to me. It took a long time to work out the funding, but I had the will to go on and kept persevering despite obstacles. I eventually started construction of the restaurant, and two years ago we launched with zero experience in the industry. I just knew the idea was long overdue in Durban, and I followed this dream!” he said.

Because of his family history in the area, Bless knows most of his neighbours and he employs friends and family in the business. He called the restaurant Cafe Skyzer after his late father, who was born and bred in Chesterville and was a very popular man in the area. Skyzer was his nickname at soccer – ‘Skyzer blue’ the striker.

The restaurant’s kitchen opens at 10am and closes at 10pm every day, and the venue closes at midnight. When it comes to the food on offer, Bless says the most popular dish is the meat platter. They also offer a range of other food, from fish and chips, burgers and chips, curry and rice or pap and an assortment of salads.

“We have competition now from other venues in Umlazi and KwaMashu, and after two years in business, I can say I have a clue as to what’s going on. I’m still a student in the field and I learn a lot every day from our customers. It makes me appreciate how little I knew going in,” he said.

Bless said he loves running the restaurant as he gets to meet new people all the time. Coming from a family of entertainers, he encourages music and poetry sessions during the week.

“I love music and meeting artists. We have live jazz on Sundays, with month end events on Saturday, big events with competitions and comedy nights every last Friday of the month. I like to encourage Durbanites to visit and we have an agreement with tour operators who bring international tourists through to experience township hospitality and culture. I absolutely love it! I’m aiming for us to be the forefront of the Cato Manor area, which is full of history. King Zwelithini’s mother’s burial place, which is still under construction, is 5km away and a lot of famous musicians hail from Cato Manor. It is the central hub of tourism and is close to other areas,” he said.

He prides himself in the safety of Cafe Skyzer and said Cato Manor is the safest township in Durban and he hasnever had any incidents.

“Cato Manor Police Station supports and encourages tourism,” he said.

Bless said he encouraged other businesses in the area to exhibit at Cafe Skyzer such as women selling beadwork and pots and Zulu dancers, as he wanted to showcase all the cultural aspects of the area.

Cafe Skyzer was nominated for the Shisa Nyama Awards by some of its customers and judges recently paid it a visit to try out the food. Cafe Skyzer is in the Top 7 at the moment and final judging will be done throughout the month, with the winner being announced on 5 September.

“I feel pretty confident. We are the only people in the class that offer such a big variety and we have taken the class a bit higher. We only use top grade meat and have lots of variety, such as creamed spinach and savoury pap. In terms of food, safety, culture and ambiance, Cafe Skyzer is going to be the best in the category,” he said.

Visit Cafe Skyzer at 96 Gardens Drive, Mayville.