I just published a blog post and I don’t normally do multiple posts in a day. But I just heard the news about Swazi Werner, owner of the Zebra Inn, who died last night.
Swazi in his basement library in 2014.
My hard-drinking days are long gone and I generally hate going to bars. But the Zebra Inn, which you can read about in this article I wrote for Sawubona a couple of years ago, is an exception to that rule. The Zebra Inn is the most iconic bar in Joburg and I’ve always loved going there. Swazi was Joburg’s most iconic bar owner.
Last night there was an armed robbery at the Zebra Inn. I know very few details. But Swazi and his friend Johann Botha, a prominent journalist and television presenter, were shot and killed.
There are a few short articles floating around about the murders, but the ones I’ve seen so far have only made a fleeting mention of “the owner” of the bar without identifying Swazi.
Perhaps this is because Swazi wasn’t his real name. Swazi once explained to me that his first name is Werner (he was originally from Austria), but he used to live in Swaziland and eventually took on the name “Swazi Werner” to differentiate himself from all the other Werners around. He never mentioned what his last name was.
Inside the Zebra Inn. That’s Swazi sitting at the table on the right.
The Zebra Inn, to me, is the epitome of Johannesburg: a seedy bar, opened in a run-down section of Johannesburg, which was eventually engulfed by the trendy Maboneng Precinct and adapted to its new surroundings. The Zebra Inn maintained its original shebeen-like character and cheap beer, while also becoming a tourist destination where hipsters hang out and have ironic dance parties. I’ve attended a few of those parties myself and they were all great.
The Zebra Inn at night.
The Zebra Inn is not for everyone. Some might find it distasteful. There have been persistent rumors over the years that the Zebra Inn is a brothel, although I’ve never seen any proof. And then there’s the taxidermy — hundreds of stuffed wild animals covering the walls, which Swazi, a renowned big game hunter, reportedly shot all himself. I’m not a fan of prostitution or big game hunting but I still love the Zebra Inn. Because…Joburg.
I’ve always preferred going to the Zebra Inn during the day. It’s usually pretty empty, and it was the best time to play the juke box and chat with Swazi and his partner Lucille.
Instax photos of Ray and me at the Zebra Inn in 2014, shot by our friend Tim Van Rooyen.
It was during one of those mid-day visits that Swazi took me downstairs to see his book and record collection. Swazi had thousands of books and records, gathered over decades of travel around Africa, as well as an impressive collection of traditional art and other memorabilia. I was blown away by this secret little museum.
Swazi shows me his art collection.
I didn’t know Swazi well, but I’m glad I knew him. I’m devastated he’s gone. I can’t imagine the Zebra Inn without him but I’m hoping it continues somehow.
My heart goes out to Lucille and the rest of Swazi’s friends and family, as well as to the friends and family of Johann Botha.
This is very sad. Thanks for sharing your history.
I have known Swazi sins 1965 when he was a 24 year old diesel-mechanic in Swaziland. I lived in Swaziland. for ten years and became a close friend of Werner. I was the one who supported him when he was deported from Swaziland. I could tel the true and not so true stories about him but let him rest in peace
Hi Manfred, wow, I would love to hear all of your stories — true, not-so-true, and everything in between. Thank you so much for the comment.
🙁
To hear my full story would take too long to write but it is an interesting story.
If you ever decide you’d like to tell it, you know where to find me here 🙂
Beautiful tribute Heather.
I remember your first blog so clearly on the Zebra Inn, you inspired me to go there. (of course I didn’t)
Oddly, I drove past it yesterday and thought ‘oh, must go.’
And then today i heard the news.
I am so sorry.
Oh dear. That makes me sad.
This is terrible news. So sad to know… Another day of bloodshed in SA that has claimed a hero.
Yes, very very sad.
Wow, I had no idea, how horrible. So senseless.
I know 🙁
A beautiful tribute and such a senseless death. We drove by there a few weeks ago and I was telling the Frenchie about it and that we needed to visit sometime. I would have loved to meet Swazi, I bet he had some great stories. Condolences and peace to his family and friends.
Oh, I’m so sorry you missed him. He was indeed one of a kind.
So sad!
I know….
Beautiful tribute and enlightening read to me ….and many others, I am sure.
Thank you 🙂
no like
Nope.
My heart is saddened by the passing of my dad Werner. He will always be remembered.
Oh AnaMarie, I’m so terribly sorry for your loss. Thank you for the comment and my condolences to you and your family.
Heartbreaking news Senseless killing of two great men. Just so so sad. Thank you for your article.
You’re very welcome. Thanks for the comment.
Great fighter in the CONGO with MIKE HOARE . Brilliant marathon athlete . And best of all …..my friend
Thank you for the comment 🙂
I remember the snake pits in his garden in Manzini, when my father visited him.
Snake pits?!
RIP Swazi.
Agreed. RIP.
Let death be no proud… another fallen Heros of nature… May your souls RIP
The loss of our dear friend Verna has left us devastated.
Our deepest sympathy to Cathy and the boys.
Eric, Shirley, Craig and Greg Milner, from Israel
So disappointing to learn of this tragic news. He was a friend of my dad’s and a proper legend. My wife even went to the original Zebra Bar in End Street (nice one dad) and it was she who rediscovered the relocated bar through one of your earlier posts (thanks). When last we saw him he’d just survived a terrifying car accident; we thought he was invincible. Was so proud and always spoke so highly of his boys. He will be sorely missed but not easily forgotten.
Hi Troy, thanks so much for your comment. I had no idea the Zebra Inn started in another location! Swazi’s story gets more interesting all the time.
I am Hans and probably one of very few alive who new Werner as good as I. We met on 11th April 1962 in Venice Italy, boarding MS EUROPA which we left 21 days later on 1st May in Durban. An overnight train took us to Johannesburg. Until October 62 we lived in Delmonico court in Wanderer street. From there we moved to Komati Powerstation, working for AEG. We shared a three bedroom house for the following 16 month. Later we both lived in SD, learned to fly light aircrafts, organised Manzini chess club and remained good friends till 1973 when I returned to Germany. The last time I met Werner was at zebra inn about 3 years ago.
Hi Hans, thank you so very much for your comment. It really means a lot to receive comments from people like you, who really knew this man who so many Joburgers consider to be a legend. I’m very sorry for your loss of a good friend.
Your life in Africa sounds fascinating!
I know this is pretty late… but I’m hanses grand son and this hurts me so much. A lot of prayers go out to him(why does this have to happen every day) we have to change something.????
I’m so sorry Max.
Your blog came up today when I Googled “Zebra Inn Auction”… I have read and loved many of your other blogs but somehow missed this one at the time. We met when I was doing a land-art installation at Rhodes Park, “The Earth Remembers”, in memory of those murdered there. I was covering a tree in bougainvillea flowers… Thank you for your tribute here to Swazi.
Reading this evokes all kinds of emotions. It made me so sad to see so many of Swazi’s friends from around the world sharing their memories and expressing their grief. I thought I would bring you up to date with the trials of the suspects involved.
We got to know Swazi and Lucille when our dear friend, Johann Botha, insisted we go with him to what he called “the best pub in Joburg”. For about a year, on Tuesday evenings, we played chess at Zebra Inn with Johann, Swazi and a few others who sporadically wandered in for a game. We played chess for the last time on the 6th June, 2017, the night before the murders took place.
On that fateful night before the murders, we went off to chess, Johann having joined us for dinner at our home before we left. There were quite a few people in the bar that evening, including some people we had not seen before. Apparently they had been coming for several weeks. I was very uncomfortable in my skin that night and actually asked my husband to move his chair in order to block a man, one of the strangers, at the end of the bar, who had been staring at me all evening. The next day Johann went back to Zebra Inn for “lunch” with Swazi. He knew it was going to be a long afternoon. When they returned to Zebra Inn in the late afternoon/ early evening they were having drinks and playing pool, when the suspects entered the premises. They were the same people who had been at the bar the night before… the man who had made me so uncomfortable was the shooter. It turned out that they had planned on committing the robbery the night before, but were put off due to the number of people present. Never will I forget receiving that spine-chilling call from Lucille to say that Swazi and Johann had been shot and killed. It was a traumatic and dreadful night seared into our memories forever, and a brutal end to Swazi and our beloved friend, Johann, who always seemed so invincible.
Today, the last of the suspects, who escaped custody shortly after having been arrested in the week following the murders, was sentenced. He was re-arrested over the Easter weekend having entered South Africa from Zimbabwe where he had been hiding since his escape. He received 2 life sentences for the murders, 15 years for robbery, 3 years for possession of an illegal firearm, 1 year for illegal possession of ammunition and 1 year for escaping custody. The other suspect who escaped with him was shot and killed shortly after escaping in 2017. In October 2018, the other 2 accused were also found guilty and received life sentences. One of the accused was a 19 yr old girl.
Justice may have been served, but it brings with it little comfort for those left behind. Nothing will bring back Johann or Swazi. We can but celebrate our friendships and treasure our memories.
Oh Melanie, I am so terribly sorry for your loss and the trauma you (and everyone else who cared about Swazi and Johann) suffered as a result of this awful crime. Thanks for sharing your story and for letting us know that the perpetrators were caught and sentenced. And I of course remember you and your art! I hope to see you again soon. Be well 🙂
Thank you. Would be lovely to see you…
PS Yesterday, 20.10.19, Zebra Inn was sold in Auction. A new owner, new energy, new beginning. Swazi would be pleased. Swazi would have turned 79 on the 21st October.