OWNER of the iconic Sakhumzi Restaurant, Sakhumzi Maqubela has called for government to tighten the borders to stop illegal foreign nationals from entering the country.
He said this during the opening of another branch of Zakhumzi Restaurant in Zoo Lake, north of Joburg on Thursday, 14 March.
He said undocumented foreign nationals are being exploited in the tourism sector which leads to them turning to crime because they are underpaid. He said there is a lack of leadership in the country.
“We really lack leadership and vision. We would rather have this place having nyaope people staying here rather than supporting someone who wants to change this place and create jobs. As entrepreneurs, it's not easy,” he said.
He said government entities make it hard for businesses to get funding and that big banks are also not helping. He said former President Nelson Mandela inspired him to start the business.
“It was only when our former President Nelson Mandela said people must stop complaining that unemployment is high. People must stop complaining that crime is high. What are you doing in your own capacity to create jobs? What are you doing in your own capacity to care?” he asked.
ALSO READ | Gogo's aeroplane dream brings bad luck
Sakhumzi said he used to work as an IT specialist before becoming a businessman.
“I stopped working for a bank where I was an IT engineer fixing their computers and ATMs. My job was to do a whole week, the whole six months. I used to do nothing,” he said.
He said he helped to send many students to university since he opened his first restaurant in Vilakazi Street in Soweto in 2001. It cost him R10 million to open the area in Zoo Lake which will create 150 jobs.
Lubabalo Magwentshu, MMC for Community Development, said the opening of the restaurant means bridging the gap between the township and urban areas.
"This is inclusivity because in the past these areas were seen to be reserved only for certain races, but now with Sakhumzi coming here is actually dismantling all of that. It is simply saying as government we are winning in that fight since we are the ones that are advocating to ensure there's inclusivity. So it's a win for all of us,” he said.
He said the restaurant was known worldwide with many tourists visiting it in Vilakazi Street to get a taste of African food.
For more news and entertainment at the palm of your hand, follow our Whatsapp Channel via this link:
