Approximately 100 people recently got together at a local wine farm for a joint braai to celebrate Heritage Day.
This was according to Nadie Visser, manager at Vredenheim Wildlife and Winery.
Braai is a vital part of South African culture, said Visser, and the idea behind the event, hosted on 24 September, was to forget about all the differences between people in South Africa and “just get together and have fun”, said Visser.
A tip to perfect the meat, is to add some sparkling water on the meat while it is on the fire, said Jamere Pieterson, one of the braai masters at the Heritage Day braai hosted at Vredenheim Wildlife and Winery in Stellenbosch on 24 September. PHOTO: Nicolas Adamy
Bringing people together
Having a braai on Heritage Day is really important for South African culture because it brings people together, according to Visser.
“It is important to celebrate Heritage Day with a braai because braaiing is not [as much] about the food as it is about getting together and being with your friends and family,” explained Nic Bowen, a participant at the celebration.
“Everybody braais, no matter the colour of your skin, [your] nationality or your tribe,” said Visser.
The definition of a perfect braai differs from province to province, according to Nadie Visser, organiser of the Heritage Day braai hosted at Vredenheim Wine Farm on 24 September. In Gauteng people usually eat pap with their braai; whereas people in the Western Cape eat corn or a potato dish with their braai, she explained. PHOTO: Nicolas Adamy
A social atmosphere
“[Braaiing] is fun because everybody joins in. It is not an activity where someone is standing in the kitchen and cooking [while] everybody else is sitting outside,” stated Visser. Rather, the people cooking are also part of the experience, she said.
When he braais for the community, Jamere Pieterson, a braai master at the event feels connected to them and included in the gathering, he said.
Wilma van Wyk (left), Charalta Bruwer (middle) and Nadie Visser (right), organisers of the Heritage Day braai hosted at Vredenheim Wildlife and Winery on 24 September. PHOTO: Nicolas Adamy
Braaiing to include everyone
Though having a braai is an old tradition, it has evolved with time to ensure everyone is included, regardless of their dietary requirements, said Visser.
“We decided on just a burger braai because it is easier to cater for either vegan or vegetarian [options], so we had all those [alternative options] as well,” explained Visser.
This made even more sense on Heritage Day, which promotes inclusivity, said Pieterson.