{{Short description|Butchery in Cape Town, South Africa}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2021}} {{Infobox venue | name = Mzoli's | image = Outside Mzolis.jpg | image_caption= Tourists outside Mzoli's in April 2006 | location = Gugulethu township, Cape Town, South Africa | coordinates = {{coord|33|58|35|S|18|34|11|E|type:landmark|display=inline,title}} | type = Butcher shop<br />Restaurant<br />Nightclub | event= Deep house<br />Kwaito | opened = 2003 | closed = 2021 | seating_capacity= Several hundred | owner = Mzoli Ngcawuzele | promotions = | website = }} '''Mzoli's'''{{NoteTag|Also known as '''Mzoli's Place''',<ref name="Cape Town Etc"/> '''Mzoli's Meat''',<ref name="yr"/> '''Mzoli's Butchery'''<ref name="CNN"/> or '''Kwa-Mzoli'''.<ref name="CNN"/>}} was a butchery in Gugulethu, a township on the outskirts of Cape Town, South Africa. Since Mzoli's opened in early 2003, the restaurant had become a popular gathering spot for Cape Town residents and a tourist attraction. It was praised by international visitors including restaurateur Jamie Oliver. Mzoli's was criticized by local residents and the media for its lack of safety, due to the prevalence of gangs. The restaurant closed indefinitely in May 2021 due to several factors.
== History == Mzoli's opened in early 2003 in Gugulethu,<ref name=":0" /><ref name="Allen">{{Cite web |last=Allen |first=Karen |date=11 December 2010 |title=Street life in tarnished township |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/9275324.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231222225652/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/9275324.stm |archive-date=2023-12-22 |access-date=2024-11-19 |via=news.bbc.co.uk}}</ref> a neighbourhood around {{convert|20|km|mi|0}} from of the centre of Cape Town.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Busgeeth |first=Karishma |last2=Rivett |first2=Ulrike |date=2004-07-07 |title=The use of a spatial information system in the management of HIV/AIDS in South Africa |url=https://ij-healthgeographics.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1476-072X-3-13 |journal=International Journal of Health Geographics |volume=3 |issue=1 |pages=13 |doi=10.1186/1476-072X-3-13 |issn=1476-072X |pmc=471560 |pmid=15239839 |doi-access=free}}</ref> Mzoli's was a "do-it-yourself" eatery.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Nkalane |first=Michael |date=3 July 2018 |title=Inside Mzoli’s home |url=https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/western-cape/inside-mzolis-home-15799445 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180703065318/https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/western-cape/inside-mzolis-home-15799445 |archive-date=3 July 2018 |access-date=19 November 2024 |website=Independent Online}}</ref> It provided meat to customers, who then enlisted independent vendors operating braai stalls on-site to grill the meat and prepare meals.<ref name=":1" /> Mzoli's owner, Mzoli Ngcawuzele, obtained start-up funding from the Development Bank of South Africa.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Majivolo |first=Thandile |date=2013-06-26 |title=Mzoli’s: the “Pride” of Gugulethu |url=https://groundup.org.za/article/mzolis-pride-gugulethu_1056/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241118225302/https://groundup.org.za/article/mzolis-pride-gugulethu_1056/ |archive-date=2024-11-18 |access-date=2024-11-18 |website=GroundUp}}</ref> An economic study by the University of Cape Town said that Ngcawuzele had moved "from selling meat informally from a garage, to owning one of the most popular hangouts in Cape Town".<ref>{{cite web |author=Ana Deumert and Nkululeko Mabandla |date=18–20 October 2006 |title=Language, Communication Networks and Economic Participation, Towards an Inclusive Economy |url=http://www.commerce.uct.ac.za/research_units/dpru/DPRUConference2006/Papers/Deumert_Mabandla-i-Dollar%20eyi%20one.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070330110553/http://www.commerce.uct.ac.za/Research_Units/DPRU/DPRUConference2006/Papers/Deumert_Mabandla-i-Dollar%20eyi%20one.pdf |archive-date=30 March 2007 |access-date=22 January 2008 |publisher=University of Cape Town}}</ref>
On November 19, 2006, over 40 people, including tourists and Democratic Alliance councillor Masizole Mnqasela were arrested in a police raid outside Mzoli's for drinking in public. The restaurant did not sell alcohol, but Ngcawuzele explained that he could not stop people from bringing their own.<ref name="Independent Online">{{Cite web |last1=Nicholson |first1=Zara |last2=Williams |first2=Murray |date=20 November 2006 |title=Restaurant raid nets DA councillor |url=https://www.iol.co.za/news/politics/restaurant-raid-nets-da-councillor-303965 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220410154800/https://www.iol.co.za/news/politics/restaurant-raid-nets-da-councillor-303965 |archive-date=10 April 2022 |access-date=10 April 2022 |website=Independent Online}}</ref> Three years later, Mnqasela sued the police for his wrongful arrest. He won the lawsuit, and received 100,000 South African rand in compensation.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Witten |first=Jade |date=2009-10-02 |title=Judge rules he was locked up without reason |url=https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/cape-argus/20091202/282359740806060 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602161959/https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/cape-argus/20091202/282359740806060 |archive-date=2022-06-02 |access-date=2024-11-18 |work=Cape Argus |page=3}}</ref>
In May 2017, a person from Johannesburg was stabbed outside Mzoli's, leading to concerns about the area's safety.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://power987.co.za/news/mzolis-in-gugulethu-not-safe-say-patrons-after-stabbing/ |title=Mzoli’s in Gugulethu not safe, say patrons after stabbing |date=5 May 2017 |website=Power FM |access-date=19 November 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241119075642/https://power987.co.za/news/mzolis-in-gugulethu-not-safe-say-patrons-after-stabbing/ |archive-date=19 November 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2018, Mzoli's was temporarily closed due to a car in front of the butchery being set alight in a protest for better housing.<ref name="Cape Town Etc">{{Cite web|title=Mzoli's Place closes its doors for now|website=Cape Town Etc|url=https://www.capetownetc.com/news/mzolis-place-closes-its-doors/|access-date=6 November 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20211106195541/https://www.capetownetc.com/news/mzolis-place-closes-its-doors/|archive-date=6 November 2021|date=5 May 2021|first=Byron|last=Lukas|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2020, amidst rumours that Mzoli Ngcawuzele had died, the ''Daily Sun'' reported that he was "still alive and well" and was celebrating his 66th birthday.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Makora |first=Misheck |date=11 October 2020 |title=Mzoli: I'm still alive and well |url=https://www.dailysun.co.za/News/mzoli-im-still-alive-and-well-20201011-2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211106201232/https://www.dailysun.co.za/News/mzoli-im-still-alive-and-well-20201011-2 |archive-date=6 November 2021 |access-date=6 November 2021 |website=Daily Sun}}</ref>
In May 2021, the restaurant was closed indefinitely.<ref name="Sowetan">{{Cite web|last=Masweneng|first=Kgaugelo|date=5 May 2021|title=Tourism goes cold as popular shisanyama, Mzoli's Place, closes its doors|url=https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/south-africa/2021-05-05-tourism-goes-cold-as-popular-shisanyama-mzolis-place-closes-its-doors/|access-date=6 May 2021|website=SowetanLIVE|archive-url=https://archive.today/20211106212540/https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/south-africa/2021-05-05-tourism-goes-cold-as-popular-shisanyama-mzolis-place-closes-its-doors/|archive-date=6 November 2021|language=en-ZA|url-status=live}}</ref> Mzoli Ngcawuzele's daughter Sisanda Mangele said it closed due to "a lot of things, from physical safety to the state of the economy and restrictions of the pandemic".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Magadla |first=Mahlohonolo |date=6 May 2021 |title=Cape Town's popular shisanyama, Mzoli's Place shuts down indefinitely |url=https://www.news24.com/truelove/lifestyle/finance/cape-towns-popular-shisanyama-kwa-mzoli-shuts-down-indefinitely-20210506 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211106193839/https://www.news24.com/truelove/lifestyle/finance/cape-towns-popular-shisanyama-kwa-mzoli-shuts-down-indefinitely-20210506 |archive-date=6 November 2021 |access-date=6 November 2021 |website=News24}}</ref><ref name="Sowetan" /> A restaurant called Teez Lounge occupies the site where Mzoli's was.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.capetownetc.com/things-to-do-cape-town/kick-back-and-enjoy-braaied-meat-at-these-spots-in-cape-town/|title=Best braai spots in Cape Town to enjoy the Day of Reconciliation|website=Cape Town Etc|access-date=19 November 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241119200428/https://www.capetownetc.com/things-to-do-cape-town/kick-back-and-enjoy-braaied-meat-at-these-spots-in-cape-town/|archive-date=19 November 2024|date=15 December 2022|first=Chenai|last=Nyakunengwa|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Reception == thumb|Mzoli's in 2010 Mzoli's became one of Cape Town's most popular gathering spots.<ref name=":2" /><ref name="Allen" /> Customers played music from their parked cars,<ref name=":2" /> and the butchery became known as a hub for deep house and kwaito music.<ref name="yr"/> It attracted locals, television stars, DJs, politicians, business people, tourists, and college students.<ref name=":2" /><ref name="yr">{{cite web |author=Unathi Kondile |title=Mzoli's Meat |url=http://www.youthradio.org/international/mktplace060207_mzoli.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070806172524/http://www.youthradio.org/international/mktplace060207_mzoli.shtml |archive-date=6 August 2007 |access-date=17 September 2007 |publisher=Youth Radio}}</ref>
In 2013, the non-profit news agency GroundUp reported that regular customers often felt unsafe in the establishment, due to the prevalence of gangs.<ref name=":2" />
British chef Jamie Oliver featured Mzoli's on the cover of his magazine in April 2009.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=2009-02-24 |title=Jamie magazine |url=https://issuu.com/jamiemagazine/docs/issue2 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220410103955/https://issuu.com/jamiemagazine/docs/issue2 |archive-date=10 April 2022 |access-date=2024-11-18 |magazine=Jamie magazine |issue=2}}</ref><ref name="News24">{{Cite web |date=16 April 2009 |title='Mzoli's Place is heaven' |url=https://www.news24.com/News24/Mzolis-Place-is-heaven-20090416 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220410141934/https://www.news24.com/News24/Mzolis-Place-is-heaven-20090416 |archive-date=10 April 2022 |access-date=10 April 2022 |website=News24}}</ref> He described Mzoli's as "sexy" and praised the "incredible flavor" of the meat.<ref name="CNN">{{Cite web |date=19 April 2010 |title=Sizzling times at Cape Town's hottest hangout |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/africa/03/23/mzolis.barbeque/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220410094019/https://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/africa/03/23/mzolis.barbeque/index.html |archive-date=10 April 2022 |access-date=10 April 2022 |website=CNN}}</ref> He added that due to the hot temperature in South Africa, the locals cannot hang meat like in Europe, so they would just "kill it, gut it, skin it and eat it".<ref name="The Atlantic">{{Cite web|title=At the World Cup, Searching for the 'Real' South Africa|website=The Atlantic|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2010/07/at-the-world-cup-searching-for-the-real-south-africa/59443/|access-date=10 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116181855/https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2010/07/at-the-world-cup-searching-for-the-real-south-africa/59443/|archive-date=16 January 2021|date=9 July 2010|first=Eve|last=Fairbanks|url-status=live}}</ref> Tina Walsh of ''The Guardian'' called it "a big open-air shack" which "has a devoted following".<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Barbecue and beats in Cape Town's Gugulethu township|url=https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2016/apr/07/mzolis-meat-gugulethu-cape-town-south-africa|website=The Guardian|date=7 April 2016|access-date=7 November 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20211107072904/https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2016/apr/07/mzolis-meat-gugulethu-cape-town-south-africa|archive-date=7 November 2021|first=Tina|last=Walsh|url-status=live}}</ref>
=== In popular culture === A Wikipedia article on the shop was created by the encyclopedia's co-founder Jimmy Wales in 2007, which led to a debate on the crowdsourced project's inclusion criteria.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2007-09-30 |title=The Wiki wars are under way |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-sep-30-ca-webscout30-story.html |access-date=2025-04-04 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref>
==See also== * List of butcher shops
{{Commons category-inline}} {{Portal bar|South Africa|Food|Companies}}
== Notes == {{NoteFoot}}
== References == {{Reflist}} {{good article}}
Category:2003 establishments in South Africa Category:2021 disestablishments in South Africa Category:Buildings and structures in Cape Town Category:Butcher shops Category:Defunct Black-owned restaurants Category:Food and drink companies based in Cape Town Category:Restaurants disestablished due to the COVID-19 pandemic Category:Restaurants disestablished in 2021 Category:Restaurants established in 2003 Category:Restaurants in South Africa Category:Shops in South Africa Category:Tourist attractions in Cape Town