Mzoli Meets Market Success

SOUTH AFRICA –  This entrepreneur has a passion for his country, enthusiasm for food and a love for his people. That’s what led Mzoli Ngcawuzele to start a business to bring communities together.

Mzoli Ngcawuzele had a business vision. In his own words, Ngcawuzele wanted to bring people together “from all walks of life”. And that’s exactly what he did.

This self starting business man opened a meat and beer tavern in one of the oldest townships in Cape Town, Gugulethu, which is now a popular social spot among South Africans across class and race divides. Called Mzoli’s, the outside pub and barbeque is visited by tourists and frequented by locals. It is a vibrant and well loved meeting place for people to eat, dance and enjoy each other’s company.

Mzoli’s is a particularly special entrepreneurial venture not only because it is a ‘one of a kind’ in the area but because it was started by an entrepreneur with more than just a business attitude, he has a social agenda as well.

Located in a township, Mzoli’s is especially placed in a poor urban area in South Africa, not only to serve the local community but also as part of Ngcawuzele’s business strategy. By starting Mzoli’s Meat restaurant in Gugulethu, Ngcawuzele wanted to bring money to the community. He hoped to develop the economy of Gugulethu by encouraging local South Africans and tourists to spend their money there. As a social entrepreneur, he is using his business to help bridge gaps between the rich and poor, local communities and South Africans.

For Ngcawuzele, the success of his restaurant has been the triumph of careful planning and management, as well as honing in on a unique and individual idea. Ngcawuzele also feels he has had a competitive advantage because as a South African himself, he understand his own local market. He was able to tap into local trends and effectively appeal to his people.

His advice to other entrepreneurs would be to look out for opportunities in your area, or create them. From his own experience, he believes that if you do what you know and what you love, then you will go far in life.