indwe magazine – Nov 2005

Spur says
‘South Africa’
to a New Generation

Conrad Botha is twenty four and is one of many young South Africans loving the excitement of living and working in London. Visiting a friend in Wandsworth, South London, he happened to be walking through a local shopping centre when he saw Spur. “Suddenly there was the Mohawk Spur Steak and Grill – it was so familiar but very strange to see it in London. I just stopped walking and couldn’t speak. The guy I was with thought I’d gone bananas. I immediately went and phoned home.”

Text & Images: © SPUR South Africa
Since Allen Ambor opened the Golden Spur Restaurant in Newlands in 1967, Spur has become more than just a place to eat - although it has long held the number one position in South Africa’s sit-down family restaurant market. For a generation of South Africans it is at the core of their memories of growing up. Its place in the hearts and minds of its customers is something Spur values highly and takes very seriously and, more importantly, is something they’re building on as they look to the future.
“Many of the people that bring their children to the Spur had their first dates with us” says Ambor, now Executive Chairman of the Spur Group which comprises Spur, Panarotti’s, John Dory’s, Kelseys and Yizani. “We are proud to be part of the fabric of South Africa and we intend to continue to be part of its progress. That’s why we always try to nurture the next generations.”
Spur is engaged in an ongoing programme of initiatives and activities designed to help all young South Africans reach their full potential. And, of course, it makes sense for them to start where they can have the most impact – by building strong energetic bodies through the excellence of their food.
The Spur’s dedication to quality starts with the ingredients used in their generous portions. Only top quality, AAA grade meat, fresh vegetables and salads grace the Spur plates. And, in line with the restaurant’s proven ability to keep pace with the changing priorities of its customers, you’ll find an increasing number of dishes specifically designed for those who want to make even more wholesome choices. From November, you’ll find the ultimate health ‘thumbs up’ against some of our menu items – the red Heart Foundation symbol that confirms a particular dish as ‘heart smart’.
Spur’s commitment to the next generations goes beyond our restaurant walls. Spur focuses on healthy bodies and minds although, as you’d expect, it’s very much about children having fun. The Spur Soccer Masidlale (‘let’s play’) programme, for instance, teaches youngsters the benefits of team work, self discipline and other life skills through soccer – while giving them a chance to play with some of SA’s top soccer stars and coaches. The Sizzling Studies initiative uses Spur Steak Ranches themselves to introduce young learners to the first principles of entrepreneurship by learning many aspects of how a retail steak ranch operates.
Spur never loses sight of the fact that kids of all ages want to have fun. Just as their parents might have done, today’s South African children can join the Secret Tribe, be made to feel fabulous on their birthdays or burn off some energy in our Play Canyons. Most importantly, perhaps, the whole family can enjoy an outing that delivers for each of them. It’s a formula that seems to be keeping them ahead of the game. Earlier this year, the Sunday Times Generation Next, the largest youth survey of children aged ten to thirteen years conducted in South Africa, revealed that Spur scored more than twice as many votes as its nearest competitor in the ‘best place to eat out’ category.
“We’re incredibly proud of the fact that we are making kids and families happy in South Africa in 2005” says Ambor. “We believe we’ve got a positive approach. We strive to achieve this repeatedly each day in all our restaurants. We are in a privileged position to assist and help young people and we intend to use it as well as we possibly can to the benefit of all.”
With a new generation of South Africa children learning to love the Spur, it seems unlikely that the homesick calls from London will stop any time soon.
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