Serving North beach patrons for 28 years

Happy Chappy offers freshly cooked meals and the lure of a drink, with close proximity to the gorgeous beach

MEET “Mr Happy Chappy”, a passionate “chap” who runs the thriving food outlet at North Beach under the same name.

Jayaraj “Jay” Naidoo’s business is at the Mangrove Beach Centre, North Beach, Durban. He has lived in the area for nearly three decades, but he was born in Overport and grew up in Shallcross, near Chatsworth.

Happy Chappy, the name of his business, is famous for Indian curries, bunny chows, breyani, steak, pork shanks and the famous Happy Chappy Burger. How did it all begin? “We took over the former Mayday Takeaway on May 1, 1989 from an English gentleman. Of course, we (non-whites) could not own businesses like that in that area, so we had a white nominee who stood in for us until we were allowed full rights,” he said.

Happy Chappy was one of the first Indian-owned businesses in the busy Mangrove Centre. The takeaway has turned into a popular social hangout and gathering place for locals, partly because it’s close to the beach.

“They love to come and chill over a freshly cooked meal and have a cold one. We have many regular international visitors too,” Naidoo says with pride.

“Many of the locals spend the day here, as the elevated level gives them a good view of the surroundings. Other popular times are after work and weekends.”

The establishment has four staff and Naidoo is hands-on with the operation. He is big on advertising through social media as it “is a quick and convenient method of informing the public of the daily specials and other news”.

Social media has been positive for his business with increased turnover, he said.

There are dozens of other food outlets and hotels in the immediate vicinity, so why should people come to Happy Chappy?

“They can enjoy a vibey atmosphere and location, a broad spectrum of meals, drinks and great service. It is the place to hang out on the Durban beachfront,” says Naidoo.

In a business that entails long hours, how does he manage his time?

“What’s that?” jokes Naidoo. “I close on a Sunday, which is ‘me time’ and I take the occasional long weekend.”

Many of his patrons have become personal friends. Naidoo says his bunnies and beers are his best sellers. His dish of choice is the Happy Chappy Burger.

The take-away was a regular finalist in Durban’s annual Bunny Chow Barometer until 2010. Due to time constraints they have not participated since then.