Our social media allows us to reach out and share all things South African with friends everywhere. Especially now, with the world in the grip of this Coronavirus pandemic, it is so important to keep the faith in humanity. South African memes: Our year on Instagram celebrates many of the best features of African culture and lifestyle. COVID19 may be threatening our status quo and loved ones but together we can overcome the greatest adversities. Africa is in our blood wherever we may find ourselves residing around the world. Let us celebrate this together!

The humble sausage is a culinary survivor. It has been around since Mesopotamia (3100 BCE) was one of the leading civilisations on planet earth. The Sumerians may have invented the sausage but there have been plenty of improvements along the way. In Australia, we have the prevalence of ‘sausage sizzles’ throughout our communities, which indicates the popularity of this food item. South African sausages: Why Boerewors are the best sausages in Sydney. This Afrikaans creation has become an important cornerstone of South African cuisine; and, now, has migrated across the globe to great acclaim.

Boerewors: The Farmer’s Sausage

The Boerewors is the farmer’s sausage and is based on a traditional Dutch sausage called verste wors. The Boerewors is traditionally made from coarsely minced beef, toasted coriander seeds, nutmeg, cloves, allspice and black pepper. It can, also, contain a mix of minced pork and/or lamb. The sausage ingredients are preserved via salt and vinegar. The iconic form of boerewors is a continuous spiral, which gives this sausage a symbolic universal quality. Perhaps, the spiral symbol is Celtic in nature. The spiral sausage may speak of the never-ending cycle of life.

Aussies Love Sausages & Boerewors is Best

If you have not tried the boerewors sausage, then, my advice is to rectify this situation. It may be the best sausage available in Sydney and right around Australia. The farmer’s sausage can tantalise the tastebuds of those who live Down Under. Surfers love the boerewors, as do sportsmen and women across the continent. Retirees love the South African sausage, as do workers in the west and on the east coast. You can get a garlic boerewors and Drywors – the coriander seed, dried South African sausage. Aussies love sausages and we will adore the boerewors, which may be the best sausage in town.
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Boerewors can be made from a variety of meats but remember that the fat in sausage is where the flavour resides. A good sausage must have some tasty fat in it. In South Africa, they have boerewors made from springbok. Here in Australia, you can get boerewors made from kangaroo, which is sure to put some bounce in your step. Chilli boerewors is another spicy variation on this South African theme. The South African sausage can be aged for maximum gourmet satisfaction. Boerewors on the barbecue is a sure fire hit for any outdoor party. 

So, what is the definitive South African perspective or voice?  Does being of South African origin imprint a distinctive stamp upon a writer? The multi-cultural nature of South Africa embraces (well, recently anyway) a number of different cultures within a melting pot. African tribal nations, the Boer identity, English, and Indian cultures are all present. The Zulu, Khoikhoi, San, Ndebele, Xhosa and Sotho cultures provide a rich African cultural choir of voices in this country. Choosing 10 great South African writers is no easy task with such an abundance of cultural perspectives to draw upon.

Nelson Mandela Long Walk to Freedom

I place Nelson Mandela at the top of this list because as the iconic liberating leader he freed so many diverse voices in this nation. An Xhosa, Mandela was born into the Thembu royal family in 1918. He served 27 years in prison, which must make one more reflective than those who have not had this kind of restrictive experience. Mandela’s autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom, was published in 1994 and based on a manuscript written earlier in prison. This book won the Alan Paton Award and was a global success. I was personally inspired by the Mandela story and I am sure millions of people were similarly affected.

Powerful & Influential Writers Out of South Africa

JM Coetzee was awarded the 2003 Nobel Prize in literature and this South African born writer is a truly great novelist. His titles have twice won the Booker Prize and the Central News Agency Literary Award three times. Coetzee was born in Cape Town in 1940 and descends from Dutch immigrants to South Africa. His novels: Life & Times of Michael K and Disgrace, were powerful and influential books. Coetzee migrated to Adelaide, Australia and is a Professor of Literature at the University of Adelaide.

Nadine Gordimer (1923-2014) was a recipient of the Nobel Prize for literature in 1991. Her writing has been described as “epic” and “of very great benefit to humanity”. A South African woman, writer and political activist, whose books dealt with moral and racial issues.

Lewis Nkoski debuted in 1986 with his novel Mating Birds. Part of the Johannesburg set, Nkosi was known for his allegorical and analytical style.

Zakes Mda is an acclaimed South African writer and his work explores postcolonial notions of fractured identities within South Africa.

Breyten Breytenbach a white South African who was gaoled for high treason in his fight against apartheid. His novel The True Confessions of an Albino Terrorist employs an autobiographical approach to the material at hand.
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As part of this 10 great South African writers article I would also recommend: Damon Galgut; Andre Brink and Ndebele.

When is a doughnut not just a doughnut? A Koeksister is to Afrikaans much more than a sweet fried doughnut, it is, in the words of Wilbur Smith, “heritage…culture…family and history”. Traditional foods are greater than the sum of their parts, as they represent a direct link with all that has gone before. Koeksisters: Heritage, culture, family and history encased inside a delicious sweet treat. Indeed, a monument has been raised to the mighty koeksister in the Afrikaner community of Orania. The baking of these golden crunchy and syrup infused sweets has fuelled the building of churches and schools in South Africa.​