Wandies Place, Soweto
Wandies Place is a local restaurant in Dube, Soweto, operating out of what used to be a typical Soweto four-roomed house.
During the 1980s the house was used as an illegal shebeen, selling food and drink without a licence. Owner Wandile Ndala was always very cautious about who he served as he did not want the authorities know about his business.
Lunch buffet at Wandies Place. Photo courtesy Sea turtle
Fast-forward to the 1990s: Ndala was granted a licence to operate the tavern legally and the establishment developed into a well known, trendy restaurant with a list of patrons that includes Virgin founder Richard Branson and Hollywood celebrities Will Smith and Chris Rock. The restaurant’s bar area is plastered with the business cards of many other visitors, so be sure to take yours along to leave your mark.
The business developed through word of mouth. Regular customers who were impressed with the venue started inviting curious non-Sowetans (mostly colleagues) to join them at the restaurant for a genuine township experience. Today Wandies is a popular stop on the itinerary of many visitors to Gauteng.
Over the years the old Soweto house was extended and remodelled extensively into the modern eatery it is today. Communal dining is encouraged – food is served off three long tables inside the restaurant, while outside tables allow diners to interact with passers-by.
A fish tank and well stocked wine rack add to the interior ambience.
The menu
Wandies serves mainly traditional local cuisine such as umngqusho (stamped corn and bean stew), morogo (wild spinach) and chakalaka (a simple, spicy dish of onions, tomatoes and often beans). No individual orders are taken as food is served buffet-style. There are always a number of meat dishes on the buffet, but vegetarians are also catered for.
Business hours: open every day from 10am until late.
Directions
Head north west on the M70 toward Hennessy Street. Slight left to stay on Hennessy Street. Turn left at Oliver Street. Slight right at Xorile Street. Turn left at Kumalo Main Road. Turn right at Klipspruit Valley Main Road. Turn left at Potchefstroom Main Road/M68. Take the third left onto Makhalemele Street. Wandies is well sign-posted.