Ulundi entrepreneur Melusi Masuku has earned a place among South Africa’s best boerewors makers after impressing judges in his first cooking competition.

The 24-year-old self-employed caterer entered the 2026 Championship Boerewors Competition to test his culinary skills, and was pleasantly surprised when his recipe secured a place among the competition’s top 10 finalists.

“I enjoy cooking and challenging myself. When I heard about the competition through Shoprite, I knew it was an opportunity I couldn’t miss,” said Masuku.

He will compete against nine other finalists at the grand finale in Cape Town on Saturday, 15 August, where the 2026 Championship Boerewors winner will be crowned.

The winning recipe will later go on sale at Shoprite and Checkers stores nationwide.

Masuku said his passion for traditional South African flavours developed through cooking for family and friends.

Before submitting his entry, he refined his recipe several times, making small adjustments until he achieved the juicy, well-seasoned boerewors he was aiming for.

“The hardest part was knowing when to stop. Excellent boerewors starts with quality meat, the right balance of spices, consistency and attention to detail,” he said.

Making the national top 10 has also been a proud moment for Masuku’s family and community.

“My family and community were incredibly excited. Their encouragement has motivated me to work even harder and represent them with pride,” he said.

As he prepares for the finale, he is focusing on perfecting every step of his process while remaining calm under pressure.

About the competition

Now in its 34th year, the Championship Boerewors Competition is judged by a panel of expert South African chefs.

All entries must comply with strict guidelines governing the preparation of traditional boerewors.

The overall winner will drive away in a Toyota Fortuner 2.4 GD-6 RB AT valued at more than R700 000 and will also receive R20 000 in cash.

The runner-up will receive R50 000, while third place takes home R30 000.

Masuku will compete against the following finalists

• Amoré Stemmet, a project manager from Cape Town, Western Cape
• Ashook Beharie, a regional meat market manager for Checkers from Ladysmith, KZN
• Dean de Sousa, an investment actuary and portfolio manager from Bryanston, Johannesburg
• Luhan Pretorius, a divisional meat market manager from Fichardt Park, Bloemfontein
• Mbali Dyamle, a beauty therapy student from Johannesburg, Gauteng
• Nakieta Aaron, a meat market assistant at Shoprite Ceres in the Western Cape
• Nokukhanya Gumede from uMlazi, KZN
• Pieter Jaars, a meat market manager at Shoprite Robertson in the Western Cape
• Quinton Erasmus, a meat market trade readiness and support specialist at the Shoprite Group from Brackenfell, Western Cape

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