With September representing National Heritage month in South Africa, a trending hashtag among local TikTok users has sparked a wave of video recipes paying ode to local cuisine.
As a diverse nation, South Africa’s cuisine is made up of a range of dishes, from bunny chow to pap and vleis, we truly are home to some of the best foods in the world. (we promise we aren’t being biased when we say this)
Since its launch, TikTok has become a widely used platform with many users taking to expressing themselves in short 60 second videos. TikTok South Africa decided to join in on the remembrance of Heritage month by launching the #RepYourHeritage Challenge, which encourages locals to showcase their heritage through dishes.
According to reports, the trending # has over 6.1-million views on the platform and has resulted in a wide display of delicious dishes and recipes from our rainbow nation.
Here are some of our favourites!
1.Burfee
Created by Bella Monsoon, burfee is a traditional Indian sweetmeat that is often served at celebrations and functions. Prepared with several ingredients including butter and cream, this delicious sweet treat has a dense, fudgy consistency with a nutty flavour.
@bella_monsoonCelebrating Heritage month with delicious ✨food✨#BellaMonsoon #TikTokSA #RepYourHeritage #MzansiOriginal #Barfi #Burfee #indiansweetmeats #MzansiFood♬ Jalebi Baby – Tesher
2.Kota
Boitumelo Batseba Masetlane also known as cooking_with_aurora on TikTok shows us how to make delicious Kota. Kota, which means quarter, is an iconic South African street food dish with roots in Johannesburg. This humble and flavour layered dish is a local favourite street food.
@cooking_with_aurora_Heritage Day countdown 💃🏾 what do you call this in your language? #cookingwithaurora #RepYourHeritage #foodie #rugby #springwod #soccer♬ Bopha Bopha – Good Sounds🎶
3.Pap and vleis
Chef_la_la_tee shows us that there is nothing more lekker than pap and vleis. Merging both the softness of maize meal (also known as “pap”) with the juicy and flavoursome pieces of meat in a tomato sauce, absolute magic.
@chef_lala_teePap and vleis#repyourheritage #creatlocal #southafricanfood♬ dlozilami – Lendrino
4.Peppermint fridge tart
Nothing is more synonymous with South African food culture than the much-loved Peppermint Crisp tart. Tamara Reddy, also known as tasty_on_my_table on TikTok shares her take on the popular local dessert by creating single servings of Peppermint fridge tarts.
@tasty_on_my_tablePEPPERMINT FRIDGE TART #RepYourHeritage #tastyonmytable #tiktoksouthafrica #pepperminttart #recipe♬ The Click Song (Live) – Miriam Makeba
5.Koeksisters/koesisters
Made in different shapes and sizes, the koeksister – a doughy treat drenched in syrup or topped with desiccated coconut in the Cape Malay tradition (referred to as a koesister) is loved by everyone. Ameer Cloete, known as eatfromscratch on the platform shows us how he prepares the beloved koesister.
@eatfromscratchLet’s make koesisters #repyourheritage #heritagemonth #capemalay #fyp #recipe #southafrica♬ Hoola Hoops – el Maestro & Meneer Cee & TP
We would love to know what local recipes you have been whipping up this month! Simply post an image on Instagram use the hashtag #HeritagewithFood24 and tag us for the chance to be featured on our stories!
Read more: Your 10 step guide to making classic South African koeksisters