Bloem’s bouncers ready to pounce
Bloem’s muscle men … Tshidiso Mosala and Moses Mohlomi are two of Bloemfontein’s well-known bouncers.
Bloem’s club owners are not taking any chances when it comes to the safety of their patrons and ‘men in black’ can be seen guarding doors up and down Second Avenue in Westdene.
The area is well-known for its vibrant nightlife. However, the large crowds that flock there, especially over weekends, may potentially get out of hand if they are not watched closely.
Bouncers are employed by nightclubs to maintain order and ensure that problematic people are well-managed and removed from the club. They also perform searches checking for threats like weapons and drugs and that no underage or barred person enters the establishment.
Tshidiso Mosala and Moses “Whitey” Makhetha Mohlomi are two of the city’s muscle men who keep an eye on hot-headed revellers.
The highly trained pair work at Cubaña and ensure revellers at the club, who sometimes spend thousands of rand a night, enjoy themselves in relative peace and calm. The duo are known for their efficiency and making their presence felt.
Mosala has been working at Cubaña for the past two years. He said he exercises regularly to maintain his physique.
Mohlomi has been with the club for three years. He believes that when it comes to being a good bouncer, safety is a major priority.
“It is really fun working as a bouncer. Sometimes it gets a bit challenging as people who are intoxicated need you to be serious for them to pay attention when you reprimand them. As a bouncer you do not always fight with people, you just need to call unruly people to order. Part of our role is to ensure that people feel safe at all times when they come to the club and make them feel that they are in good hands.”
Mohlomi and other bouncers work out at a training centre called Push and Pull. They share a passion for sports and weightlifting. The centre is aimed at assisting those interested in being security personnel as well as bouncers.
Zanoxolo Hele and Sipho Jwili are another pair of experienced bouncers in Bloemfontein. They have been appointed to keep watch over the Mangaung Beach Party, which will take place this weekend.
Hele and Jwili own Hardcode Bouncers and Bodyguards, a company they started when they realised there was a need for bouncers and bodyguards in the city.
“We have a network of well-disciplined bouncers that we mentor and use during events. We have personally trained our bouncers and we regularly share with them our experience on how to deal with a number of situations,” said Hele.
The company also assists with VIP protection during events and provides bouncers for music festivals.
Brawn for hire … Zanoxolo Hele and Sipho Jwili have established a personal security company in Bloemfontein.
According to Jwili, there are some skills a bouncer must possess.
“When you are a bouncer you need to always be polite, regardless of the situation, and avoid being quick to react. You must always be clean at work as you also play the role of the host welcoming people to the event. You must also avoid behaving like a loose cannon thinking just because you are big no one can defeat you.”
Jwili added that being a bouncer is a confrontational job that requires self-defence skills should he encounter somebody who is experienced in martial arts. It is also important to have good communication and negotiation skills.
The concept of using muscular males as watchmen and protectors is not a new phenomenon. It dates back to the beginning of civilisation. Bouncers are so called because they are ready to ‘bounce’ any unwanted elements from a party.
Unfortunately, for professionals such as Mosala, Mohlomi, Hele, and Jwili, there are bouncers who are tarnishing their good name. Some bouncers are known to be colluding with drug lords and are employed to protect the turf within a club to ensure that no opposing dealers trade within. There are also those who have been accused of using excessive force, who seriously assault troublemakers.
