WHEN Bless Makhanya (37) opened his shisa nyama in the kasi, he never though that one day it would be recognised as one of the best in the area.
Only two years after opening it, his shisa nyama, called Cafe Skyzer, based in Chesterville, was awarded the best shisa nyama award in Durban.
It happened during the Shisa Nyama festival at Moses Mabhida’s People’s Park on Sunday.
He beat popular shisa nyamas such as Max’s Lifestyle, which walked away with the lifetime achievement award, and Eyadini Lounge, which scooped the people’s choice award.
Makhanya told Daily Sun that when he started in 2014 he wanted to create job opportunities in his kasi.
“There’s a huge number of unemployed youths in Chesterville.
“Some of them have started using drugs because they have nothing to do. I wanted to do something and change lives so I opened this shisa nyama.
“So far I’ve hired more than 15 people. I still can’t believe that I beat popular shisa nyamas around the city.
“Jabulani Nzama of Eyadini is the one who paved the way for us in the townships.
“He started his business in the kasi and we all followed.
“His place is always visited by top people such as politicians and famous musicians.
“I didn’t expect to win this award.”
Michelle Lewis, the festival founder, said: “The shisa nyamas were judged based on their service, the meat, cleanliness and the environment they provide for their customers. I started the festival to recognise and reward excellence in food production.”
