Busy Corner shisanyama woman launches her book

Phumlaphi Rita Zwane launched her book, Conquering the Poverty of the Mind – From Shipping Container to Busy Corner on the morning of November 9. The book tells her story of her successful business at Busy Corner, a successful Shisanyama located at Ebony Park.

Zwane is a successful businesswoman and founder of Busy Corner Imbizo Shisanyama and now an author of a book that tells her life’s journey from KwaZulu-Natal to the city of gold and conquering challenges.

The launch began with a formal presentation of Zwane, famously known as MaZwane. Then a conversation between Phumlaphi and Steven Zwane took the audience to how she went from the safety of her family home in Umlazi to the unforgiving streets of Johannesburg, where she had to rely on everything her mother taught her to survive.

In 1989, Zwane left KwaZulu-Natal to find work in Johannesburg after becoming a teenage mother. She only had the support of her family, a matric certificate and her faith, but had no job prospects, no knowledge of the business world nor life in the big city.

Her memoir journeys the reader from the tough times of Zwane finding her feet in Johannesburg through a variety of jobs and life experiences, to finally fighting her way to success as a respected member of the township’s economy by starting the successful Imbizo Shisanyama business.

Zwane says she wanted to create a uniquely African restaurant, and she didn’t give up on that ambition. Being in business wasn’t all about making cash, otherwise she could have gone the easy route and opened up a franchise store instead.

“At some point, I had to sell clothes and work at a hairdressing salon to pay for food and accommodation,” said Zwane.

A smiling Zwane admitted that there were times when she felt overwhelmed by challenges, but explained that being a Christian was instrumental to her success, as was her strong Zulu culture.

Zwane, in her book, tells a story to how she progressed from having virtually no income or permanent home to becoming the first person to formalise and commercialise a shisanyama in the townships and provide a comfortable home and legacy for her children.

“Heritage features strongly in my life and one of the first community events Imbizo Shisanyama introduced was the annual Heritage Day Festival in 2002. The menu at Imbizo Shisanyama is a testament to the food that represents our African culture.

“I wanted that longing for home to be satisfied when customers sat down and ate at Imbizo Shisanyama. Because I knew if I could give patrons that sense of home, of belonging, and of culture, they would keep on coming back. “Not only because the food was excellent and authentic, but because people away from home need to feed that inner longing for everything that home represents to them,” said Zwane.

The launch also saw radio stalwart Bob Mabena and other TV personalities taking part in sharing their testaments and asking hard-hitting questions.

One of the questions asked by Mabena was does the government really understand what a township economy is?

In this regard, Zwane gave her expert opinion on the concept of township economy. She emphasised much on the business and the community relationship.

She said the basic model of a successful business in a township is respecting that you are part of a community. “Incoming investors need to develop a township model that includes the possibility of making a certain amount of space available to the spaza shop that was displaced by the development.” said Zwane.

“If investors don’t realise their part in uplifting that township community and contributing to social upliftment programmes, then they don’t stand a chance.

“The beauty of building a business in a township is that your supporters consider themselves part of your brand, and that is only achieved through collaboration and consultation. When you recognise these fundamentals and undertake to operate accordingly, you will operate successfully in a township,” advises Zwane.

The businesswoman said it was important for South Africans to know that people are now telling stories that matter to others, especially of the economic struggles and triumphs.

Conquering the Poverty of the Mind – From Shipping Container to Busy Corner is a testament to her expertise on the township economy and personal and communal empowerment. Buy the book, read it and be inspired to add it to your life toolbox.

For more information about the book or to get a copy, contact Develd Monyai at 011 312 0630 or email at develd@imbizoshisanyama.co.za.