A popular township lifestyle venue, Slotjhile Pub & Shisanyama, will close its doors next week after a court-ordered shutdown by the City of Ekurhuleni, placing more than 150 jobs at risk.

The Ndebele-inspired establishment, which opened in 2017, has been ordered to cease operations by 3 March 2026 following a High Court ruling linked to zoning and land use compliance. Management confirmed the order stems from parts of the business being situated on municipal land without approved rezoning.

“Some of our structures are on municipal land, and we have spent the past nine years trying to secure rezoning approval, unfortunately without success,” said owner Cornelius Raseobi.

Over nearly a decade, Slotjhile has grown into more than just a social venue, becoming a cultural hub in Tembisa. It has hosted major community events such as the Tembisa Jazz Festival, where internationally acclaimed group Ladysmith Black Mambazo performed, as well as grassroots initiatives like the Run Tembisa marathon. The venue also ran weekly soup kitchens and outreach programmes for vulnerable residents.

Its closure is expected to have a ripple effect across the community, particularly among young people.

“We do not view our employees as mere numbers, but as households. Many are breadwinners. This decision means over 150 households will lose income,” management said.

In a show of public support, a petition titled “Save Slotjhile Pub and Shisanyama from closure” has already gathered nearly 1,900 signatures. Supporters describe the venue as a “beacon of hope and unity” that has created jobs, fed the needy, and supported young women through sanitary dignity programmes.

The petition urges the municipality to consider alternatives, including formalising land use, relocation, or granting a special permit to allow the business to continue operating legally.

“To close Slotjhile is to dismantle a community cornerstone,” the petition reads, adding that the founders have acknowledged regulatory oversights and are willing to find solutions.

Despite attempts to obtain clarity, the City of Ekurhuleni had not responded to media queries at the time of publication.

Meanwhile, the venue will host a final send-off event titled “The Last Dance” on Sunday, 1 March. The farewell is expected to draw high-profile figures, including Thabo Mokwele and Wilson B. Nkosi, as well as comedian Mashabela.

For many in Tembisa, however, the music may soon fade on a venue that has long been the heartbeat of the community.