Pashi Tofile (54) refers to herself as a Shebeen Queen as she has been in the business for the last 20 years.
“I was in Berea before coming to this place,” she tells the Mail & Guardian while she tidies the bar.
Tofile looks like a sophisticated kind of Shebeen Queen, wearing her spectacles and a head scarf.
Her bubbly personality, friendly smile and cheaply priced alcohol, almost guarantee that her modern day South African shebeen — California Pub and Restaurant — is always buzzing with activity.
Located at the edge of the city on 178 Sivewright street in Doornfontein, Johannesburg, California resembles an English pub more than it does a traditional South African township drinking hole.
The pub is mostly frequented by university students from the nearby campus, as well as rugby and soccer fans on their way to sports matches at Ellis Park stadium.
Ellis Park was where the South African rugby team triumphed over New Zealand to win the Rugby World Cup trophy in 1995, soon after being allowed back on to the world sporting stage.
The stadium was revamped before the Confederations Cup final in 2009, increasing its seating capacity from 57 000 to 62 000.
This year, Ellis Park will host seven of the Soccer World Cup matches.
Tofile hopes her close proximity — a 10 minute walk — to Ellis Park will guarantee her “some extra money”.
“I am hoping to make a little bit of money from my customers and to get some dollars from them.” she tells the Mail & Guardian.
Magogo, as she is also called by her customers, has big plans for California during the Soccer World Cup, which kicks off on June 11.
Mail & Guardian: What are you doing to get ready for the Soccer World Cup?
Pashi Tofile: I have spent a lot of money renovating this place for the World Cup. I have also hired a company for security. The tourists are really going to enjoy themselves.
M&G: Will there be live performances here at California?
PT: Yes, but traditional performances.
M&G: Will you be broadcasting games?
PT: Yes, I am going to have three plasma TV’s installed, two will be inside and one will be outside. I expect this will make sure this place is full up during the World Cup.
M&G: As a women running a shebeen, I’m sure you deal with a lot of drunk people. Is this not difficult?
PT: I do, but most of my customers are students so they treat me like their mommy. They call me “mamza” and things like that so I don’t fight much with them.
M&G: Which days are your busiest?
PT: Thursdays until Sunday. It is quiet during the week because most students go to school.
M&G: How many customers are you expecting during the Soccer World Cup?
PT: I am expecting about 5 000 or 10 000 customers during the World Cup, or even more than that.
M&G: Why should people come here before going to watch the game?
PT:They should come here and see Magogo. Magogo will take care of you. I will also have a braai stand where we will also offer pap ( a traditional porridge made from mielie-meal) and meat. There will also be live music.
M&G: How much is the entrance fee?
PT: It’s free of charge.