Inyam’ Yenhloko (Skopo) Restaurant

A relatively new phenomenon in informal eatery circles, Inyam’ Yenhloko (Skopo), has caught the townships by storm. For

centuries, whenever African people slaughter a cow or sheep, for whatever occasion be it a wedding, a feast or even a funeral, the animal’s head is only cooked after the feast and the meat is only

eaten by males.

However, in the last couple of years the townships have witness the mushrooming of informal eateries selling Inyama Yenhloko.

Apart from being seen in the townships, these eateries have also sprung up near taxi ranks both in the townships and in towns.

The one that is profiled here is in Orlando East, Soweto.

Headed for a feast

Mr Shadrack Base (45) is the owner of the

Orlando East eatery and he employs about

eight people. He gets his meat from a

butchery a stone’s throw from his road side

eatery. Base doesn’t have a car but uses a

taxi to collect the meat.

Ready for axing

The cow’s head is ready to be chopped

before being cooked for customers who

include members of the SAPS, construction

workers and other members of the

community.

Cutting to the bone

Herewith one of the employees cutting and

chopping the meat before being cooked.

Meat Chopping

The chopping and cutting of the humongous

cow’s head takes sometime, hence the

preparation begins much early in the

morning. The customers usually arrive in the

morning with most of them looking forward

to a hearty meal, which some customers

believe that it has a potential of busting a

hangover.

Stiff Pap

The preparation of the meat is still a

preserve of men. This lady’s responsibility is

mainly to cook pap.

Stocking the fires

This gentleman stocks the fire as he

prepares the meat.

Pap is ready

The pap pot is huge and requires patience

and bit of strength. Though its in open air it

can be very hot, hence the lady’s face is

smeared with a sun/heat protector.

Steering the pot

The meat is about to be served. The pot is

huge as customers stream throughout the

day.

The meal is served

Customers enjoying their meal.

The Restaurant

This is the makeshift restaurant on a typical

Saturday morning. These eateries are

usually more busier on weekends

Dipping In

Pap, meat and umhluzi (gravy), they all

come in separate dishes.

Chat and Chow

Here (eateries) customers are welcome to

bring whatever their drink is to enjoy it with

their meal.

Stirring Umhluzi

The meat is cooked with water and as it

boils it makes umhluzi (gravy). Umlhuzi is a

favourite with many a customer. Served

boiling hot, some believe it has some

Aphrodisiac effect, that is as far as legend

has it.

A face of contentment

A customer wipes his hands after a hearty meal.

Clearing up

After a long day, its time to clear up

Cleaning up

And tidy up the area, store away the

cowhide that will be later collected by a

Local guy for recycling.

The day is over

With the sun setting, its time to go home

And recharge for a new day ahead.