Times Of Swaziland: OCEAN BASKET’S E5M NEW MANZINI EATERY OCEAN BASKET’S E5M NEW MANZINI EATERY ================================================================================ BY KWANELE DHLADHLA on 17/04/2018 00:49:00 MBABANE – Swaziland’s leading seafood restaurant has invested E5 million to open shop in the kingdom’s industrial hub, Manzini. Franchise Director Thokozile Vilakati-Jele disclosed that they invested in opening their third Ocean Basket eatery after Mbabane and Gables to continue providing convenience to seafood customers located within the country’s largest city and surrounding areas. She explained that market research and demand for seafood among loyal customers which include, but not limited to the Asian community, made investing at the new eatery worthwhile considering the value of investment returns. The shop, located at the Manzini Superspar Building opposite The George Hotel, was officially opened last Saturday. “We want to continue being the leading seafood service provider in the kingdom,” said Vilakati-Jele who also operates an Ocean Basket restaurant in Maputo, Mozambique. Jele mentioned that the eatery had presented 28 job opportunities to locals. These include three managers, 13 waiters and support staff. In terms of total value of investment into the growing food business, Jele revealed that their total value of investment had been E11 million, creating 92 jobs. Official information from the Ocean Basket website reflects that when the first restaurant opened its doors in 1995, South Africa had just held its first democratic elections. The air was charged with optimism and apprehension. And now, the delicious smell of seafood too. Fats Lazarides saw an opportunity to create something that customers were calling a restaurant that served delicious affordable seafood.