No place like Jeya for jazz, fun and side order of township vibe

YOU are not a South African living in Nelson Mandela Bay if you have not been to Jeya’s – these words the patriotic challenge issued by Noxolo Sume, co-owner of Jeya’s Jazz Corner Tavern in New Brighton which has emerged as one of the top icons in the city in a competition run by Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism.

The bubbly Noxolo, whom some have dubbed the ‘mother of tourism in the Bay’, has been making tourists and locals feel at home in the township since her and husband, Jeya started the business in 2003.

As a result, this hidden gem is rising out of its underground status and fast-becoming a top city icon. “We becoming famous, and the World Cup made our fame worse,” joked the vivacious hostess. “We get emails, SMSes, letters, everything from all over the world from people who had the time of their lives at Jeya’s and experienced true South African township culture.”

The tavern is a long standing shebeen that offers top class jazz music on weekends. It is also situated in an historic area of the city, New Brighton township, which is home to other tourism sites like Red Location Museum, Mendi memorial and Sheya Kulati’s memorial – making it a must stop-over for people visiting this township.

“We are close to important heritage sites, but what we offer at Jeya’s is more than that – we sell the true experience of township life and its friendly people. We don’t change who we are – we do what we do every day and that’s what people want to be a part of. They want to see how we live, what we do, how we party, what food we eat,” said Noxolo.

Commonly known as ‘KwaJeya’, the tavern is a hub of live music, especially jazz. It is also very popular with tour groups. Over the past couple of years Noxolo says she has also noticed that more diverse Nelson Mandela Bay locals are coming to the tavern to experience township nightlife.

“People love this place, I think, because they can experience all kinds of vibes here, we are safe, there is a strong sense of community and because Jeya and I are hands on.”

Noxolo is “employed by Jeya” to do the marketing and Jeya, the businessman, is shy and likes to stay background, but is her “backbone”.

“We make a good team. I am the face of the tavern, but behind all my successes is a husband who gave me the opportunity to really show my abilities. We are a family business, but we have fun – and that is the most important thing, with good service of course. I love the people of Nelson Mandela Bay because of the support they have given Jeya’s and the fact that we all work and are on this ship together.”