RITA ZWANE’S INSPIRATIONAL STORY

Rita Zwane is the founder and MD of Imbizo Shisanyama popularly know as Busy Corner. It is situated in Ebony Park at the corner of Republic Road and Acacia Street.

Born in Kwa Zulu Natal, after matriculating in 1987 Zwane moved to Johannesburg, in pursuit of her dreams. She eventually settled joining a large ICT company in Sandton. Appointed only as the tea lady, her hard work paid off and she was soon promoted to reception duties. A couple of months later she was promoted to customer service co-ordinator in the call centre while simultaneously juggling two other part time jobs. She was a waitress at a Sandton restaurant and also contracted her car to a courier company for deliveries.

She founded Imbizo Shisanyama in 1997 after many failed attempts at starting her own business, Zwane found herself walking the streets of Tembisa looking for yet another new business opportunity.

A few weeks later, armed only with the right attitude and support from her family and community, she set up a small shisinyama on a street corner in Ivory Park. With only a single pot, gas griller, display fridge, gas paraffin stove and two employees, the concept of Imbizo Shisinyama was firmly established.

Recognised for her outstanding entrepreneurial success and business acumen Rita scooped the 2013 NSBC Small Business Champion award. In February 2015 Rita was further acknowledged by the Department of Social Development, and received the Gauteng Gift of the Givers award. Her entrepreneurial passion and commitment to SMME development was highlighted again later in 2015 when she won an award at the 2015 SMME Awards hosted by the Africagrowth Institute and lastly but not least, she further got awarded ( SACCI ) 2016 Business Women Award from South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The South Africa’s 2017 Windhoek Best Shisanyama turnsover close to R30 million annually. The vision for Imbizo Shisanyama is clear and that is to take Africa’s Ultimate Braai Experience to the rest of Africa and the world. In the same way that Sushi, Pizza and Pasta have become internationally recognised cuisines.