LEKGOTLA - AFRICA'S DINING ROOM NELSON MANDELA SQUARE

Article in Business Report - Monday, 9 October 2006, p. 13

Alan Pick's R1m outlay boosts Cape wine auction

Cape Town - Alan Pick, owner of The Butcher Shop & Grill and Lekgotla in Sandton, forked out R1 million at the 21st Cape Winemakers Guild auction on Saturday to emerge as the biggest spender for the fifth consecutive year.

The 127 local and foreign buyers from Belgium, the UK, Denmark, Scotland, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, Japan, the US, Switzerland and Germany spent R3.62 million on 2665 cases of six bottles each.

Gauteng premier Mbhazima Shilowa and Safika Holdings executive chairman Moss Ngoasheng were guests of Pick, with Shilowa bidding from time to time.

Had it not been for the fact that there were too many white wines on auction, Pick said he would have spent the remaining R400 000 he had budgeted.

"I think it was a bit lobsided because there was too much white wine and not enough variety." Pick said. "If there had been more Bordeaux varietals, particularly Merlot, I would have bought more.

"They might have to reassess how they choose the wine because there were nine Shirazes and I cannot buy nine."

The biggest foreign buyer was Willy Rouseu of Belgium's Rouseu Wijnen, who spent R176 000, followed by Erik Ahlmann of Denmark's Tedeum Vin, who spent R141 000.

The highest price per bottle, R733, went to the Kanonkop 1991 vinoteque, followed by R666.66 for the Rudera 2006 chenin blanc.

Pick said his spending was justified because Johannesburg was a totally different market, which had a far more discerning clientele who were prepared to pay higher prices for quality and catered for business tourists instead of camera tourists.

He was critical that there appeared to be no co-operation between the three major wine events, the Veritas wine awards, which took place last Friday, the Nederburg wine auction, which was held in April and the Cape Winemakers Guild auction.

Gary Jordan, the chairman of the Cape Winemakers Guild, said there had been a good spread of local and international buyers, which had included both private buyers and restaurateurs.

The high prices were justified because it was the best line up of rare and special wines, he said. While there were more than 100 cases less this year, the average price was higher than last year.

A silent auction of wines and other high-value items raised R111 000 for social upliftment.

Written by Ronnie Morris

Volkswagen Jetta

Volkswagen South Africa has commissioned O’MAGE limited to launch the all new Jetta in February/ March 2006. The event has been created to give guests an exclusive and tailored brand experience throughout – appealing to them in new and unexpected ways.

Taking our cue from the above the line positioning of “the New Jetta – it says a lot about you”, the experiences begin with the obligatory brand presentation where guests are given the run-down on the new vehicle, its brand intrinsics and features and benefits. Finding the perfect space and an environment that would compliment the creative was – as always – a daunting task.

After a long search, the team finally selected the Sandton Civic Gallery in which to create a unique brand space. The gallery was transformed with the exterior given a general clean-up, the lawns were replaced and the inside of the venue cladded, draped, branded and elevated to a new and sophisticated Jetta space.

Designer furniture and plasma screens peppered the venue, allowing our guest’s first experience to be one that was synergistic with the brand positioning – comfortable, sexy, attractive (and aspirant).

After a high-end brand presentation, the guests were escorted to the square where a cavalcade of brand new Jettas were awaiting them for their day’s activities.

In a departure from the traditional ride-and-drive scenario, guests were given the option of either taking the car for the day to test it and enjoy it in their own time and way, or , alternatively, to drive the vehicle to a selected charity. Volkswagen South Africa had packed bags of treats and gifts into the spacious boot for guests to deliver to their selected destination.

Some of the welfare destinations selected included: Irene Middle School, Kitty Haven, Flowering Johannesburg and Mpho Thuto Primary.

On Dealer and Fleet days, guests were invited to one of Johannesburg’s newest attractions – Maropeng (the cradle of humankind) where they were treated to a sumptuous buffet and an afternoon at leisure. Once again – the venue truly “said a lot about you” in that it towers as an interactive monument to the birth of mankind.

That evening, guests returned to Nelson Mandela Square where they drove right up to our constructed public display and entered the all new Lekgotla restaurant.

Again, Volkswagen South Africa and O’MAGE created a beautiful Jetta branded space, adapting the slick, afropolitain restaurant to one more aligned with the brand positioning. The Lekgotla management were not only on hand to help with the minor alterations, but assisted in every way to make this a truly unique experience. Added to that, the chef designed a unique informal feast – adapted from the current Lekgotla faire on offer.

Guests were given the option in the RSVP process to choose the entertainment they would most like to see. Freshly Ground, Arno Carstens and Watershed were on the line up – each band challenged to re-interpret their music in a unique and authentic “Unplugged” session.

Casual dinner and tantalising culinary delights were served throughout the evening as 5FM’s Sureshnie Govender hosted the evening and personalised the experience with her intimate and casual manner.

Guests walked away with CD copies of the band’s latest albums, information packs of the new Jetta and an experience, we trust, will live with them for years to come.

Article in Style Magazine – February 2006

style Readers’ Dinner

Join style for our first Supper Club at the chic African restaurant, Lekgotla, at Sandton’s Nelson Mandela Square. Welcome cocktails will be served while you survey the eclectic décor before sitting down to a culinary feast fit for royalty! A three-course dinner will be served, with various dishes from each course placed on the table for guests to sample. Each course will be paired with a malt or hops drink to enhance the unique flavours. Dishes include Moroccan blackened kingklip baked with a Zulu Cajun spice on Egyptian carrot salad with Chermoula, and peppered lamb shanks with prunes served with a Malay ratatouille and a chive lime couscous. Also to tuck into will be an entrecote with peppered chakalaka, which is well-matured beef sirloin with yellow cilantro maize dumplings and cucumber, sweet pimento chilli salsa or fillet of line fish with confit aubergines and onion polenta cakes, accompanied by passion fruit sauce scented with peppadew and cilantro. Rounding off the gastronomic delight will be Kenyan coffee and walnut cake on liquorice meringue and milk tart ice cream or vanilla baked rice pudding with a medley of fruits and coconut parfait. Each guest will leave with an Estee Lauder gift, a three-month style subscription and a deluxe goodie bag from SAB’s premium collection.

When: February 23
Where: Lekgotla, Nelson Mandela Square Sandton
Time: 7pm
Dress: stylish with a touch of orange
Cost: R290
Tel: Kirsten (011) 889-0602 or email kirstend@caxton.co.za

Article in Style Magazine – February 2006

Designer Africa

Sandton’s new Lekgotla restaurant is a melting pot of African flavours combined with the French, Dutch, Malay and Arabic influences in both the fabulous interior and their extensive menu. Afro-chic and clever use of space make this both an intimate meeting place or a massive celebration, complete with a designer African hut ablution facility. A collaboration between the Thai-Africa Group (think Soi, Wang Thai and Orient) and The Butcher Shop, it is bound to keep both locals and visitors smiling.

I had the Moroccan blackened kingklip as well as the cucumber, zucchini and sweet potato salad with lamb skewer basted with lychee, pepperdew and mustard seed starter, which proved so delicious I was wishing it was a main course instead. The kingklip was tasty and served with a carrot salad with chermoula. The vegetarian next to me drooled about her baked butternut with dhal rice, tofu fritters and coconut borrie creme with light coriander.

The service was efficient and sensitive for lunchtime. If only I had enough space for some Kenyan coffee and walnut cake served on a liquorice meringue with milk tart ice cream or the sago brulée with bread and butter ice cream.

5 Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton. Tel: (011) 884 9555 - Written by Marieza van Zyl

Article in Hello Johannesburg Magazine - December 2006


When you enter Lekgotla, the dining room on Nelson Mandela Square, you are transformed into an African wonderland. The friendly staff escorts you to your table and you are surrounded by amber lights engulfed by a feeling of royalty!

It is in the details that this unique restaurant stands apart from the rest - the rich earth tones; animal prints; wicca chairs; the music and beadwork hanging from the ceiling like golden stars. Not to mention the enticing dishes that awakens your taste buds.

The design is highly innovative and integrates materials such as clay; brick; deep brown wood; paper sculptures and masks. Trevor Julius from DSGN was the mastermind behind it.

The space is well organized, from the large dining area to private rooms where you can entertain a birthday, cocktail party, or business meeting. There is an extravagant bar as well as a sunken dining area.
Partners Alan Pick (from the Bucher Shop); Ernst Fischer (from Wang Tai, Orient, and Soi) and Menzi Kunene have added some real African culture to the Nelson Mandela Square. This is a Proudly South African venture and an investment in this country.

Mr Fischer recalls "It dawned on me as I looked at the statue of Madiba and thought of all that he stood for, hope and change, there was something missing from the Square". Liberty embraced this concept that would break away from the Italian architecture and Africanize the Square aligning it with what Mandela stood for.
The partners wanted the name to be of significance and have depth, so after much soul searching, 'Lekgotla' emerged. The word means a meeting place for contentious, serious minded people. It was a place when a warrior transgressed to be taken for judgement by the elders.

The decor echoes this idea of a round hut; boma; imbizo and a meeting place that is protected - a sanctity for the development of the future. It's a form of African politics for conflict resolution and is far more symbolic without being condescending to Africans.

Another important topic came up in asking "What is African cuisine?" Lekgotla's menu has included tantalizing tastes drawing inspiration from the spice islands of the North, the French influences of the West, the Malay and Dutch heritage of the South, the Arabic flavours of areas bordering the Middle East and has an evolving cuisine. An incredible amount of effort was taken to research the market thoroughly and mould the menu around the authentic spices so that each dish is unique and 100% African.

Some featured dishes are the Fish Pastilla in phyllo with red chilli and cumin, originating from North Africa as well as the Botswana roast beef fillet with dukka and maize fried fingers. There are grills from the South and an array of fragrant flavours such as aniseed; chakalaka and coriander. The Cocktails are just as unique and were developed from exotic fresh juices like wild fig and passion fruit. Try the Mojito, from Moroccan origin, infused with fresh mint; lime and cane sugar or the Dawa with freshly muddled lime and honey.
It is the strong sense of teamwork between the Chefs that ensure top quality dishes from the kitchen. Wine is a big aspect at Lekgotla, there is a strong drive on providing an amazing wine list including CWG; Estates and more. The entertainment includes face painting and drumming that encompasses you in the African experience.
Your journey of taste at Lekgotla will present you with a blend of flavours, a mixture of textures, a fusion of aromas and tastes that are exclusively African.

"We hope you will enjoy this meeting of flavours from all over Africa in our meeting place - Lekgotla!"

Shibolet Krispel

Article in Upfront Magazine – December 2005

Lekgotla

Mythical, magical, and utterly irresistible – that’s the essence of Africa. And it’s displayed to full advantage at Lekgotla, Africa’s dining room. The latest addition to trendy Nelson Mandela Square, Lekgotla embodies the passion and precision of legendary restaurateurs Alan Pick of The Butcher Shop & Grill fame; Ernst Fischer, the force behind Africa Thai’s popular Saigon and Wang Thai restaurants, and the Kunene Brothers. This impressive pool of talent has resulted in a dining experience like no other: minute attention to detail – from the traditionally-clad drummers whose percussive calls announce the day’s meal, to the magnificent décor and beautiful selection of crafts on sale – bring Africa’s allure to life in full colour. And that’s before you succumb to the sumptuously complex flavours of the menu, with dishes specially selected to reflect the continent’s true spirit: expect traditional delicacies like Malay braised crayfish tail and soup of chickpeas and pumpkin. Mains include the likes of spicy tagines, loin of springbok with green olive tapenade and Karoo lamb – all delicately flavoured with herbs and spices to create that authentic African flavour. End your meal on a sweet note with Kenyan coffee and walnut cake, or a classical Cape Malva pudding – each with a thousand taste sensations in every bite.

Contact (011) 884 9555 for reservations, or visit www.lekgotla.com.

Article in the Tonight section of The Star – November 2005

Lekgotla

Where: Shop L10, Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton City.
Tel: 011-884-9555

We were standing in the middle of Nelson Mandela Square, perusing the myriad eateries which overflow onto the plaza and deciding which one to visit, when we spotted something out of the ordinary.

First we heard the drumming, and then we saw the sophisticated yet distinctly African décor. In the place of the rather tired Oriental restaurant, which had seen better days, was the aptly named Lekgotla.

Madiba may not be enamoured of his rather out-of-proportion statue that dominates the square but he must be pleased that among the sushi, Thai palaces and Greek diners, at last, there's a place that reflects this continent's cuisine.

We weren't the only curious visitors. Michel Morand, owner of one of the city's most acclaimed restaurants, Auberge Michel, and Arts Alive organiser and business supremo Nomahlubi Simamane were there. Morand, ever the gallant Frenchman, even wrote a congratulatory note to the owners after his meal.

It's almost impossible to categorise “African food” as it has emerged as something of a polyglot cuisine but just as the name of this new restaurant is a meeting place, its food – the menu tells diners – is a melting pot of cuisines from the four corners of Africa.

Unlike many other African establishments who really only serve food from North Africa, Lekgotla draws inspiration from the spice islands of the north, the French influences of the west, the Malay and Dutch heritage of the south and the Arabic flavours of areas bordering the Middle East.

And so there's everything from tagines and famous South African braai food to Tunisian curry, Mozambican prawns, sardines stuffed with chermoula and Botswana beef fillet served in banana leaves.

It's a truly exotic menu that will perk up even the most jaded palate and dispel any notion that African food can't be as sophisticated as anything served anywhere in the world.

We started off with a Malay braised crayfish tail served on nutted morogo (wild spinach) and served with a baked peppadew gateaux and a fabulous octopus chakalaka as well as sardines stuffed with chermoula (Moroccan marinade or sauce) and served on a salad of tomato, avo, rocket and lime.

The dishes couldn't have been more different but they were truly sublime.

The baby chicken peri-peri seems to be a firm favourite with diners. However, we opted for a duo of game – springbok with green olive tapenade and kudu with mascarpone – and a delicious fish pastilla. This classical Malawian fish pie came with a feather- light almond phyllo crust and a variety of succulent fish and shellfish lightly flavoured with red chilli and cumin and served with a cucumber raita.

This is an upmarket restaurant and so are the prices – on average in the R30 margin for a starter and about R80 for a main. There's also a minimum charge of R100 per head, so going for a starter and the atmosphere is clearly not an option in this establishment.

I then discovered that one of the owners is the somewhat controversial Allan Pick – owner of that other popular Nelson Square eatery The Butcher Shop and Grill – who is someone who has the Midas touch when it comes to restaurants, although he discourages the water and salad luncheon brigade!

It's early days yet but if they can maintain the standard, Legotla could just be the place that serves the best African food in Jozi.

Janine Walker can be reached by e-mail on janine.w@mweb.co.za