On Thursday, November 17, 2011 the PE Coffee Crawlers visited Conyngham Coffee Shop. On that day we met Paul Longe, Academy Manager of Umzi Wethu which is a local initiative of the Wilderness Foundation. The Conyngham Coffee Shop is a Social Project of Umzi Wethu set up to train hospitality students. At the end of our visit at Conyngham's Paul suggested we make a trip to The Donkin Coffee Shop, another Umzi Wethu project, located at the Donkin Reserve on Belmont Terrace in Central. Last Thursday, January 26, 2012 eleven Crawlers, Fran and Keith de Beer, Tolla and Maureen Kotze, Beth Vieira, Nomusa Nkomo, June Nash, Leanne Waller, Stella and Beryl Dawson, and Gail Darne, joined me at The Donkin.
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| This week's Crawlers Nomusa, Gail, Beth, Leanne, Beryl, Stella, June, Fran, Maureen, Tolla, Keith |
In November at Conyngham's I was "wowed" by the Umzi Wethu student staff. Their skills as hosts, waitrons, baristas and chefs were top-notch. The Donkin Coffee Shop staff consists of graduates of the Umzi Wethu Hospitality Academy. To say their skills are impressive would be an understatement. The service, hospitality, food and LavAzza and Masterton coffee beverages was all outstanding. Manager Jean Rigby is very proud of her staff....she couldn't say enough about their skills, positive attitudes and excellent work ethic. Kudos to waitrons, Nozibela and Nobesuthu, barista, Miselwa, and head chef, Sonwabile.
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| Meet the Barista Miselwa |
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| Meet the Staff Nozibela, Sonwabile, Nobesuthu |
The Crawlers wanted to support The Donkin Coffee Shop project so, along with our coffee/tea, we all ordered goodies from the menu including cakes, scones and muffins. The menu also includes full breakfasts, light lunches and a variety of hot and cold beverages. The shop is open Monday-Saturday, 8-4:30 and holidays, 9-3:30. Catering for on-site private functions for up to 50 people and deliveries of orders over R100 are also available. As for the decor, I just loved the simple green/white linens with the beaded calla lily centerpieces. The beading is done by a local gentleman who sells his wares at 8th Ave and Main Rd in Walmer. Amazing beadwork.... definitely worth checking out. He also takes special orders like the centerpieces at The Donkin.
The Donkin Coffee Shop opened its doors on Heritage Day (Sept 24), 2011 at The Donkin Reserve. The Donkin Reserve is a small open public "green" space which was proclaimed by the founder of the city, Sir Rufane Donkin. The area measures roughly the size of two city blocks and it features indigenous plants, park benches, walking paths, the Opera House, a lighthouse and a memorial. Perhaps the most outstanding feature of the Donkin Reserve is the touching memorial to Sir Donkin's wife, Elizabeth. This pyramid shaped structure bears a plaque with the inscription: "To the memory of one of the most perfect of human beings who has given her name to the Town below." Besides the beautiful ocean view my favorite feature of the park is the welded sheet steel sculpture depicting the history of the people of SA. The large walkway mosaic leading to the pyramid is pretty cool, too!
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| The Lighthouse and the pyramid memorial foreground- mosaic walkway |
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| Steel sculpture |
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| Elizabeth Donkin statue, pyramid mamorial, lighthouse background - Indian Ocean |
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| Steel sculpture |
So, after coffee and cake, the Crawlers spent some time strolling around the grounds of the reserve. Nomusa, Gail, Fran and I all paid R5 to climb to the top of the lighthouse. Only Nomusa, Gail and Fran made it all the way to the top..... I got three flights up and my fear of heights struck again! From what they tell me, the view from the top is spectacular. Maybe someday...........
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| View from 3 flights up the lighthouse |
All told, the Coffee Crawlers had a wonderful time at The Donkin Coffee Shop. Awesome coffee, delicious treats, and a little bit of PE history thrown in for good measure. To all PE residents...... take some time to check out The Donkin Reserve, a little gem right in your own backyard..... and stop by the coffee shop for a great cup 'o joe!
~Thank you to The Wilderness Foundation and Umzi Wethu for your vision
~Thank you to Jean and The Donkin Coffee Shop staff
~Happy Groundhog Day!!!!!! (Feb 2)
Until next week,
Ellen
