Makhutsisa’s African Food

by Cyril Skosana
(Block B, Mabopane, Pretoria, South Africa)

Makhutsisa’s African Food based in Mabopane Township of Pretoria is a testament to Africa's cultural diversity. From Cape to Cairo, Africans share different special dishes ranging from the sea food served in the coastal areas to African chicken recipes enjoyed by the inland people.

Whilst South Africa is filled with the traditional kinds of restaurants and fast food outlets, some of the natives of still prefer a well prepared African dish. African cuisine has also become a tourist attraction to the continent. The real African method of ccoking is even more fascinating, with huge black three legged pots on fire made from wood on an unbearable sunny day. However, African cuisine places like those have become like endangered species and outnumbered by fast food outlets like KFC, McDonalds, Steers and fancy restaurants that are serve the young and modernised generation.

Nonetheless, in Mabopane Block B, Pretoria, there is a nice spot where African thirst is quenched, where an African belly can be filled with an appetising meal, cooked in an indigenous way. Makhutsisa’s African Food has been existing for more than 17 years, serving the real African dishes to people in an around Mabopane, in Pretoria.

Margaret Mogwane, the owner of the home-grown restaurant says she had a dream and passion for cooking during the years when she , like many South Africans was jobless. “I had a dream of cooking, also driven by my passion to prepare various kinds of food. The fact that I was unemployed led me to taking a chance and starting cooking for profits.”

Margaret started her business in the premises of Batswana Gare Transport. As the business grew owners of the premises asked her to find her own place. This, she suspects was due to the fact that the business was already attracting loyal customers like taxi drivers and government employees. The place was buzzing with customers especially during the traditional lunch times. “it is at that point that I looked for my own place, and fortunately for me, the place that I found was just opposite my previous home. This is where I am still running my business.”
The restaurant is an employer to fourteen people and two security guards, giving a total of sixteen employees jobs. One of the employees is Margaret’s son, Shaka Mogwane who says he enjoys working for/with his mother. “She is a nice person, but when we are at work, we are strictly at work, besides that she is my mother.”

Margaret says that the rule she lives by to keep her customers happy is through a good laugh and great service, “It also works with the employees, keeping them happy helps them enjoy their job,” further said Margaret.

Martin Seja and Johannes Ramalwela who shared their lunch, say that both food and service at Makhutsisa’s African Food is amazing. “We also love the environment here, the place is clean, quiet and chilled during sunny days,” said these happy customers. The restaurant is in Mabopane Block B, on Central-House road, next to four ways.