Xoliswa Shwayimba is one of the three lead actresses in the Showmax Original reality show, “Shebeen Queens.”
Beer halls, taverns, and drinking establishments are found throughout the city, and these places are much more than just places for grown men to drink copious amounts of beer.
Bars are places where people feel a sense of belonging through their fellow drinkers, and they are also a source of income for the bar entrepreneurs who run them.
For entrepreneur Xoliswa Shweimba, her drinking spot, Lamb's Inn, in Soweto, became a source of income for her and her family after she was made redundant.
“Lamb's Inn has been around for many years. My father originally ran it but it closed at some point. When I came back home and needed work, we decided to reopen the inn and I've been running it ever since,” Schweiyimba said.
She is one of the stars of the Showmax Original reality show. Shebeen Queens“Before taking over the business, I worked as a domestic worker and then for a company that manufactured snuff.”
Also read: 'Shebeen Queens': How Alina Shishanji juggles life as a shebeen owner, traditional healer and pastor
Shebeen Queen
“Shebeen Queens” follows the lives of three women who run drinking establishments in Soweto. Alina Sishange, Emily Taban Lu (aka Big Mama) and Shweimba are fronting the Showmax show.
“No, we knew each other before the show but being on Shebeen Queens made us closer,” Shweimba asserted about her co-star.
As mentioned above, in townships across South Africa, there is no shortage of options when it comes to finding somewhere to have a drink.
This means there is stiff competition for those in the shebeen industry, but Schweyimba says people come to Ram's Inn because of the feeling they get when they visit the place.
“It's competitive but people who come to Rams Inn come because they feel free. We don't force them to stay. They come because they want to,” she said.
The new reality show, “Shebeen Queens,” will premiere on Showmax on August 22, 2024. pic.twitter.com/psy2M1X9GF
— Jabulani McDonald ⚡️ (@Jabu_Macdonald) August 6, 2024
“The biggest challenge is dealing with rude older men who look down on me, but I just shut up and go about my business.”
Through her business, Schwaimba has been able to put her children through school, even though they didn't finish high school, and she doesn't see them taking over the business.
“No, the children will not be involved. I run the business with my fiancé, so he has the final say on who takes over.”
Also read: Boss babes behind the bar: Soweto's 'shebeen queens' deliver drinks and drama
Queen of TV
Since the TV show began, Shwayimba has gained recognition and fame from her loved ones on screen.
“Everyone was happy for me, but you never really know how people feel deep down,” she said. Schweiyimba quickly grew accustomed to being in front of the camera.
“It felt strange at first, but I quickly got used to it.”
“I've always been myself, and I want people who watch the show to see the real me.”
She said answering questions was the most daunting part of filming, “especially answering personal questions about my relationships with the other wives,” she said.
The “other wives” mentioned above are Mutsohali's first wives. When asked about Mutsohali's reluctance to sign the divorce papers, she replied, “To be honest, I don't know why he hasn't signed yet.”
“I'm staying here. He just needs to do the right thing and marry me.”
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