Food & Flavour

Food traditions to uphold when travelling

Food traditions in Southern Africa reveal culture, history, and hospitality, from braais and sadza to kapana and peri-peri chicken.

Photo: Max Saeling.

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Food carries culture across borders, and in Southern Africa, traditions at the table or the fire are part of the journey itself. Travellers moving along the Cape to Cairo routes or across smaller circuits like South Africa’s Panorama Route discover that food traditions provide a bridge between communities and visitors.

One of the most recognisable traditions is the braai, deeply ingrained in South African culture. It is not simply about meat on a grill but about community, hospitality, and continuity. Whether enjoyed at a campsite in Golden Gate Highlands National Park or a backyard in Johannesburg, a braai represents togetherness.

Further north in Zambia and Zimbabwe, the tradition of sharing sadza or nshima, maize porridge served with relish, reinforces the communal spirit. Meals are eaten from shared bowls, reflecting respect and unity. In Botswana, seswaa, a slow-cooked beef dish, often appears at gatherings, embodying patience and heritage.

Markets also reveal traditions that travellers can respect and support. In Malawi’s Zomba market or Lesotho’s roadside stalls, bartering for fresh produce is part of the rhythm of daily life. Taking time to share a greeting before purchasing is as much a part of the custom as the food itself.

Celebratory foods highlight cultural depth. In Namibia, kapana (street-side grilled beef) is served hot off the coals, especially in Windhoek’s Katutura district. In coastal Mozambique, peri-peri chicken reflects both Portuguese influence and African adaptation, offering fiery meals rich with history.

Respecting food traditions while travelling means more than eating local dishes. It involves recognising their role in heritage, family, and place. Sharing a braai, stirring a pot of sadza, or tasting kapana is to acknowledge both the land and its people, reinforcing the bonds between visitor and host.