Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Noble venture promotes sharing African cuisine
THE traditional practice of family coming together and sharing meals, breaking bread together – including favourites such as a home-made bread with ulusu, umphokoqo and curry – inspired the founding of Noble on Long, a Cape Townbased family-run and owned restaurant.
Its founder and director, Mama Lokiwe Mtwazi, said: “It was from these family gatherings that values were entrenched for the younger generation and support given to each member to achieve their God-given purpose.
“When the opportunity arose it was taken with both hands and it was a matter of extending the home environment to another home, albeit on a wider scale accommodating South Africans, Africans, and tourists alike.”
Mama Mtwazi is a nurse by profession and, besides nursing qualifications, she holds a master’s degree in public administration.
Her 11 years of experience as an executive director of the City of Cape Town comes in handy in the management of the business as she applies the critical principles of business management.
Noble on Long, on Long Street in the heart of the city, serves dishes from many cultures, with a fusion of the true traditional African and Western in a homely environment with friendly staff who ensure each customer has a “noble experience”.
“We value integrity and commitment to providing a special and a memorable culinary experience.
“Our menu offers traditional African dishes from different regions of the continent right up to updated meals that meet the needs of the urban diner,” said Mama Mtwazi.
She added that the establishment’s operating philosophy was “connecting through African cuisine using various conversation platforms such as client engagement, poetry, seminars and music”.
Mama Mtwazi is confident the business is destined for long-term sustainability. “We are fully aware that most businesses in our industry often do not make it past 36 months.
“However, we are focused on the long term.”
On February 27, Noble on Long will celebrate its first anniversary.
Mama Mtwazi said: “Noble on Long would like to extend its home business to other African families ensuring that they experience home away from home by adding food from other African countries.
“Also to extend its client base to the broader local community, where each can find a homely meal at an affordable price. Most importantly, as we expand we want to create a home that provides a platform for all young artists to showcase their talent.”
In five years she would like to open another outlet or operate from a bigger space.
“Tied to our growth story would be the sustainability of the suppliers who support our business on day to day.
“We aim to be the African cuisine restaurant of choice in the City of Cape Town.”