Twenty-six year old Lisa Stofella, who hails from Margate in KwaZulu-Natal and now lives in Johannesburg, found out that she was a Miss South Africa 2019 finalist on the same day that she opened her own pizzeria in Randburg.
Stofella found some time to answer a few questions about her new business.
What is the name of your pizzeria?
It is called O’ver Pizza. In local Neapolitan dialect ‘O’ver’ is used to refer to a person, place or thing as legitimate, true, the real deal. In English we would say ‘for real’. In this case, it refers to the authenticity of the pizza we serve and the genuine passion to share this experience with people in Joburg; giving customers a taste of something totally different than the current offerings.
Where can Joburgers find O’ver Pizza?
The shop is just outside the new Food Lover’s Market at the new Ferndale on Republic centre – where the Randburg Waterfront used to be. You can also find us at the Neighbourgoods Market in Braamfontein on Saturdays.
What led you to open a pizzeria?
For two reasons. Firstly, a love of pizza and a strong entrepreneurial drive to put my financial management degree to work on something I am passionate about. Heart and mind is my approach to all things. And secondly, having spent some time in Naples recently opened me up to the differences between pizza in Italy and South Africa; I wanted to bring that degree of dedication to the craft back home.
Is it true that you opened your pizza on the same day you found out you were going to be a Miss South Africa finalist?
Yes! June 27 is definitely a day for the books now! In one day I realised two of my biggest lifelong dreams – launching my first project and qualifiying for the finals of Miss SA. I can’t even begin to describe how overcome with joy I was in that moment. Believe in yourself and in the merit of your hard work to help you achieve your goals.
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