CAPE TOWN - Mzolisi Ngcawuzele, affectionately known as Ta Mzo, died last week after a long illness.
He was 72.
Ngcawuzele is remembered as a pioneer of the Tshisa Nyama culture.
His world-renowned Mzoli’s restaurant drew hundreds of local and international tourists to Gugulethu.
His daughter, Sisanda Mangele, said her father loved being busy.
"He had always had that drive to; he was a hyperactive person. He loved being busy. We used to joke here at home as we say. Hey, it's as if you've eaten a bee. You don't relax; it's like he's missing something if he's not busy. So, it has always been inside him in terms of being a businessman."
Beyond his career, Ta Mzo was a devoted family man.
He inspired his grandchildren to excel in everything they set their minds to.
“He inspired me a lot because he was the kindest person ever. He was like a second father to me. He was nice to everyone. He treated everyone with respect,” said grandson Asakhe Mangele.
Gerald Nomlala, a menteem described Ngcawuzele as a generous mentor and a true leader.
"Mzolisto was not just a brand; Mzoli was a supreme leader of a Tshisa-Nyama. He has made people adopt his business idea of opening up a Tshisa-Nyama. Most people have Tshisa-Nyama's around the country because of Ta Mzo.
Vincent Domingo of the Gugulethu Development Forum said, “He also gave back to the community as a responsible citizen of Gugulethu. He had soup kitchens for everybody. He went if there were funerals that the family could not afford. Even the organisation GDF, he mentored us and also gave some donations.”