Media personality Mohale Motaung opened his restaurant and bar a year ago but he has already closed it down permanently. Mohale opened Fusion Cocktail Lounge in Melville, Johannesburg, with the hope of "bringing people together." 

THE RESTAURANT BUSINESS

The e ex-husband to Sarafina star Somizi Mhlongo opened the restaurant months after their divorce. "It was a personal project, something that Mohale wanted to do for a long time, even before his relationship. He wanted to open his own restaurant. But we all know the restaurant business is not as glamorous as it seems on the outside," a close friend reveals. The restaurant hosted some of South Africa's top celebrities and parties.

TOUGH TIMES

A friend and former employee of the establishment confirmed that it has closed down. "He tried to keep it open. There were a few months when he battled with rent and was locked outside," the source revealed. "But he decided to permanently close down. Staff was not paid, stock needed to be bought and rent does not come cheap especially when it comes to load shedding and using generators- it became expensive to run. The place would be closed a lot of the time and customers would stop coming because of that," the friend said. "But this is not a bad reflection on Mohale, he tried, but maybe next time he can try something smaller as the venue was also too big to manage." A neighbouring business owner who did not want to be named said the bar has not been opened for months. "Sometimes they come around but it's always locked. A few months ago, they were locked out because of rent. Even the previous owner had issues.Also, there is a night club across that young people love, so the competition is tough." Mohale could not be reached for comment.