Robby’s Place in Pimville, for instance, where the bigwigs of the ANC signed the Freedom Charter in 1955, is still the same simple, informal place to enjoy a drink. Other shebeens have remained exactly the same through the years. Nowadays, everyone knows where to find him and he has even enjoyed such celebrity patrons as Richard Branson, Will Smith and Chris Rock. In the 80s, owner Wandile Ndala had to select his patrons carefully, for fear that his illegal business would be revealed. Wandie’s Place in Soweto in the Dube district is one such hotspot. Some are little more than four walls with a corrugated roof, while others have become popular hotspots. The shebeens are located on almost every corner of the townships. Most shebeens serve simple traditional (and sometimes very spicy) meals. There is also often live music, from jazz and reggae to DJs that play ‘kwaito’, the South African version of house music. Their patrons are happy to tell you all about the comings and goings of their neighbourhood while enjoying either a ‘regular’ beer or an ‘umqombothi’, a traditional African beer made of corn. Nowadays, the shebeens have a liquor licence and have become inviting and cosy neighbourhood pubs.
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