Our Lowveld coals are just perfect for Jan Braai
Smoke billowed, beer flowed and the sun shone down as Jan Braai strutted his stuff at Suikerbossie Tea Garden on Saturday, highlighting one of the Lowveld's favourite pastimes, braaing.
MBOMBELA – Jan mingled with the crowd, explaining recipes and swapping ideas with interested onlookers, while a few fans shyly waited in the wings, hoping to catch a few pearls of wisdom.
One such young lady, Anne Lubbe, travelled all the way from Tuks especially to come and see Jan. “She is so excited,” laughed her mother. Apart from Jan, foot-stomping music with a definite South African flair kept the crowd entertained and Jan himself appeared to be having a rollicking good time.
ALSO READ: Jan Braai deel sy geheime vir die Laeveldse braaikoning(in)
“You know,” he said, brandishing his latest cookbook, “quite a few of my recipes are from Nelspruit people. I braaied my way into a braai club, and a few of the recipes were sent to me from members of the club, either their own or family members’ recipes that stood the test of time.”
The esteemed patron of national Braai Day is Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who believes that what Jan is doing with this enterprise is developing and cultivating what, to all intents and purposes, is a common denominator in all South African cultures, enjoyed by all races and genders.
No matter who you are, you have seen or partaken of a braai at some point in your life, and who does not love a good fire?ALSO READ: Traditional Heritage day vs Braai day
September 24 is National Braai Day. Fire up the gas or stack a few logs and throw on a bagful of briquettes. Celebrate our rainbow nation and our South African heritage with an ice cold beer and a roaring fire. It is, after all, the Lowveld way.
