For Braai-master’s Shisanyama in Rens Town, Hammanskraal, serving great food is only part of the recipe. The real flavour of its success comes from adapting to the needs of a changing customer base, including how they want to pay.

Since firing up the grill in 2018, owner Justice “the braai master” Mahite (39) has turned his shisanyama (braai restaurant) into a hotspot where the smoky aroma of sizzling meat draws in everyone from local regulars to VIP guests who arrive flanked by security. His passion for cooking and consistency in flavour has earned him a loyal customer base.

“We get people from everywhere,” Mahite says proudly. “Some have become regulars we look forward to seeing every week.”

Since introducing digital payments in November 2024, Mahite has seen more and more customers opting to pay with their bank cards instead of cash.

“These days, most people prefer to use their cards. I help them using my speedpoint [machine], and they’re happy they don’t have to go to an ATM before coming to eat,”

As for many other small business owners operating in South Africa’s townships, making the change and introducing digital payments wasn’t an easy decision. At first, he had reservations about going digital because he was concerned about safety and using complex new systems. But growing customer demand eventually nudged him to take the leap.

“I used to be unsure, but I gave it a try and now I can go days without handling a single note of cash. That’s been a big relief,”

His decision has paid off in more ways than one. Not only has going cashless improved customer experience, but it’s also made the business safer and easier to manage.

“There was a time when thieves came and stole some of my things, including even the speedpoint I had at the time. But they couldn’t do anything with it because only I had the access codes.”

Digital payments have also simplified the administration side of his business. Before, he’d carry a pen and notebook to use for recordkeeping. Now, everything is recorded automatically through the machine. Mahite has even noticed a knock-on benefit he hadn’t expected: an improved credit score.

“Ever since I started using a card machine, I’ve seen my banking options and credit score improve. It’s made a difference.”

While network issues are sometimes a concern when using digital devices, Mahite’s point-of-sale system comes with dual SIM cards that ensure that if one network goes down, the other keeps him connected.

For customers such as Thabang Kekana, knowing that Mahite’s devices have back-up connectivity capability is reassuring, allowing him to relax and enjoy his dining experience.

“It connects fast and saves me the trouble of first going to the bank for cash. I can settle my bill right away, get immediate confirmation of payment and get back to enjoying the delicious food here.”