Mzoli’s
What else does one do on a Sunday when the chandleries have closed to purchase needed hardware to keep on with boat work but head for Mzoli’s.
Mzoli’s is well-known on the backpackers route but better known by the people in the township as a place to go and unwind with a beer and a braii (BBQ) plate of meat and some music. It’s located in one of Cape Town’s townships and in probably one of the busiest police precincts, especially after dark.
We needed a place to unwind and to get away from boat work so off we went with three friends Gary, Angela and Verena (Toby, Verena’s partner and Connie stayed behind as felt it all too much!)
Mzoli’s is actually a butcher shop. However, it’s the first stop for an afternoon’s activity as it’s at the butcher shop where one orders your braii plate and take it to the back of the store where there are 4 large braiis already fired up and they are ready to cook your choices of meat.
Lining up outside the shop smelling the braii and salivating and waiting for our turn to order
Gary, Angela and Vereena trying to see if they can phone in their order to avoid the lineup
Once inside pandemonium reigns as people are keen to eat
The Braiis
The bar. Only one customer. Not many are drinking anything but a few beers.
The gathering place
First it’s s little dancing before our braii plate is ready
Then it’s chow time – definitely not a vegetarian delight
An excited reveller taking a selfie
So afer a few hours of dancing and a few beers it’s time to go. Mzoli’s runs from 0900hrs to 2000hrs. It was a great experience and one of the few places where the races actively mix in South Africa. This is mostly a young person’s place and if this is representative of the new South Africa then it’s very positive. In very few areas does one see mixed race activities. It’s a country of separation.
Sage on sail 
Fascinating pictures and description. Interesting comment that it is one of the few places where the races mix. Love Penny
As an expat I think you have a lot of courage or luck. as for the Braai luck applies as well.
Having lived in SA for 40 yrs I feel qualified to comment.As long as you had a good time and got home safely. Look forward to your account of your crossing. I did the same crossing back in 84. In a Miura called Southern Comfort. Cheers SINBAD.
I really don’t think it had anything to do with luck. We found the environment very relaxed and welcoming. I do believe if it had been at night I would feel very different. Perhaps the young of SA are moving through the barriers built up over years of the apartheid regime unlike the people I meet from my generation i.e. the ‘elderly’
Tony GibbOnboard SageSimons Town0627920727
Thanks so much for all these posts, Tony. So cool to get your perspective on worlds so far away and abstract for us. Makes it real and a bit more accessible. Travel well.
J
That does it. We’re going there! Thanks for the hot tip. L&D xx
As we were standing in the queue my husband Gary got a call from the vehicle tracking company, wanting to know if we were ok as they tracked my vehicle into a township. Not any township , the most dangerous township in Cape Town. Tony was on top form at Mzoli’s yesterday, I have the videos too prove. Was great fun. We never felt threatened at all, it was quite the opposite. It’s a MUST do if visiting Cape Town the best city in South Africa.