Umlaziʼs popular club and restaurant, Eyadini Lounge, is set to bounce back with a new name and new ownership.
The popular spot in Umlazi, south of Durban, also known as iYadi Labantu, will now be called Black Bottle.
The venue will re-open with a three-day event from Saturday, 30 November until Monday, 2 December.
Eyadini Lounge was closed after the death of its owner, Jabulani “Mjay” Zama, in 2023. The place was known for its entertainment, social gatherings, and hosting big events.
It also introduced the popular dancer and socialite, Zodwa Wabantu.
The new owner, Siwaphiwe “Siwa” Mlobeli (30) from Durban, told Daily Sun that he’s thrilled his dream of owning Eyadini Lounge has finally come true 10 years later.
“In 2013, when I was organising events at different clubs in Durban, I dreamt of owning Eyadini Lounge as it was my favourite place.”
“In 2019, when I started my liquor distribution company called Black Bottle Liquors, I worked closely with the late Eyadini Lounge owner, Mjay, and I was also distributing liquor to him,” he said.
Siwa said he’ll try his best to maintain Eyadini Lounge’s high standards, although he knows that he won’t reach Mjay’s level.
“I know I will not reach Mjay’s standard because his way of running the place was magical, and no one will ever be like him. Yes, I learnt many things from him while he was still alive, but the truth is that I’ll never operate like him.”
“I won’t change many things. I want to keep it as a kasi entertainment and braai place, and I will add a menu to accommodate different people,” Siwa said.
He said that they want to relaunch the place to the people with a three-day event.
“We will start on Saturday with an event featuring a top line-up still to be confirmed, continue on Sunday, and end on Monday with Monday therapy. We’re still in talks with top musicians, and we will release the line-up in due course,” he said.
Mandla Mngomezulu, a spokesman for Mjay’s widow, Busi Zama, confirmed to Daily Sun that Eyadini will be re-opening under new management.
“At the moment, Mrs Zama is still mourning her husband’s death, and she’s not ready to run a business like this.”
“Because the place was closed last year and is starting to be damaged by rains and thugs, she decided that someone else should operate it,” he said.
