Soweto, South Africa - July 20, 2021 (CGTN - No access Chinese mainland)
1. Logo of Disoufeng Pub and Restaurant
2. Words reading "Disoufeng Pub and Restaurant"
3. Cars parking in front of Disoufeng Pub and Restaurant
4. Empty seats
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Tebogo Phiri, owner, Disoufeng Pub and Restaurant (starting with shot 4):
"We are the biggest venue in Soweto. So with outdoor and indoor [areas], we can easily take 1,500 people. Those are the numbers we used to make but obviously we are not attracting 1,500 on a normal day, only when we have events. On a normal Saturday, Sunday, Friday we attract about half of that which is about 750."
6. Various of waiter serving food for customer
7. Customer eating food
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Tebogo Phiri, owner, Disoufeng Pub and Restaurant:
"We launched this two weeks ago and it received so much attention. So what happens is, there's a security guard or car guard by the gate, once you park your car there, you tell them you're here for the drive through. The car guard comes inside and calls one of the waiters. They come with a wooden table and give you the menu, sanitize it in front of you so you feel safe. Do everything in the comfort of your car because we attract trustworthy customers, we are not even scared that people will drive (away) with our food. So we give you the same treatment as if you're inside. Eat, drink, then you'll pay after."
9. Waiter packaging food
10. Various of worker going to deliver food
11. SOUNDBITE (English) Tebogo Phiri, owner, Disoufeng Pub and Restaurant (starting with shot 10):
"One thing we've wanted to be seen as within the community is not just an entertainment venue, lately our people are calling us a village, and that is exactly how we wanted to be seen as."
12. Chef cooking food
13. SOUNDBITE (English) Tebogo Phiri, owner, Disoufeng Pub and Restaurant (ending with shot 14):
"We will continue all these new initiatives that we've started, especially with the food delivery because what we've seen is, we've attracted a new, different market."
14. Worker driving car to deliver food

Innovation and adaptability have become the way of life for restaurants under COVID-19 restrictions in South Africa, with drive-in dining services gaining in popularity across the country.

The restaurant industry has been one of the most affected in South Africa as tighter restrictions in place mean that establishments may not accommodate more than fifty people inside at one time.

Disoufeng Pub and Restaurant was one of the busiest restaurants in the town of Soweto, which is close to South Africa's largest city Johannesburg, just before the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

The pub is one of many establishments that have adapted its dining methods as a way of keeping their doors open and retaining staff.

"We are the biggest venue in Soweto. So with outdoor and indoor [areas], we can easily take 1,500 people. Those are the numbers we used to make but obviously we are not attracting 1,500 on a normal day, only when we have events. On a normal Saturday, Sunday, Friday we attract about half of that which is about 750," said Tebogo Phiri, owner of Disoufeng Pub and Restaurant.

Phiri believes that it has been survival of the smartest since South Africa's initial lockdown came into effect as his restaurant's new innovative approach enables their patrons to be served in their cars.

Disoufeng staff use a long rectangular wooden plank to serve the plated food, complete with cutlery and condiments.

"We launched this two weeks ago and it received so much attention. So what happens is, there's a security guard or car guard by the gate, once you park your car there, you tell them you're here for the drive through. The car guard comes inside and calls one of the waiters. They come with a wooden table and give you the menu, sanitize it in front of you so you feel safe. Do everything in the comfort of your car because we attract trustworthy customers, we are not even scared that people will drive (away) with our food. So we give you the same treatment as if you're inside. Eat, drink, then you'll pay after," Phiri said.

The pub and restaurant owner has now expanded his space to include other services such as food deliveries and haircare services.

"One thing we've wanted to be seen as within the community is not just an entertainment venue, lately our people are calling us a village, and that is exactly how we wanted to be seen as," said Phiri.

The eating establishment plans to continue to operate in this new innovative way even though under the new adjusted level four lockdown regulations restaurants and eateries are now allowed to operate.

"We will continue all these new initiatives that we've started, especially with the food delivery because what we've seen is, we've attracted a new, different market," Phiri said.