Imbizo Shisanyama. Picture: Instagram/ therealmazwane
The award-winning Imbizo Shisanyama at the Mall of Thembisa has announced permanent closure leaving many patrons heartbroken on social media.
According to the statement released by the management, Imbizo officially closed its doors on Sunday, 28 May.
“We share this news with the heaviest of hearts and would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your loyal support.
“We deeply apologies to the many locals who have made the restaurant their weekday working space during load shedding,” read the statement shared by The Voice of Tembisa FM.
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Imbizo Shisanyama founder Rita Zwane, affectionately known as MaZwane, said she is heartbroken to see her 26 years of hard work perish.
She said they did everything they could to keep the Mall of Thembisa outlet open, but it was not enough.
“We survived Covid lockdowns, staying open throughout the pandemic, so our staff and suppliers would have an income. This decision took a serious toll on the business, but it was a sacrifice I had to make and would make again.
“I could not abandon my community or my loyal patrons. Despite this cruel blow, we persevered. To close now is devastating,” she said.
MaZwane also said she had hoped that the government‘s pandemic relief funds for the township economy would help.
“Where did the pandemic relief funds for the township economy go? Who received this support? How could this government that we have supported for so many years simply abandon us at our most vulnerable?”
While the two outlets in Ebony Park and Midrand remain operational, patrons have shared on social media that they are heartbroken to lose the Mall of Thembisa outlet.
The shisanyama was also a popular hangout spot for many celebrities, including DJ Tira and Shimza just to mention a few.
In 2020, it won the Restaurant Design category at the SA Council of Shopping Centre’s Retail Design & Development Awards.
Imbizo Shisanyama Thembisa hosted “The Last Kos with Somizi” yesterday for the official closing party.
“Today, I am heartbroken.💔Today, we grieve together. After 26 years of building, closing the pinnacle of my dream is hard. Today is hard. But tomorrow is a new day,” MaZwane wrote on Instagram.
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