If Heritage Day asked one thing of you, it'd be this: get something good on the fire. We do
Before we start, we want you to know that there's no single correct Heritage Day menu. Different households, different heritages and different fires are, after all, what makes this day so incredibly special, but a few things show up at braais across the country every 24 September, and a couple of fire tools make your Heritage Day unforgettable.
(Image in collaboration with Litehouse)
The Non-Negotiables
Boerewors is the closest thing South Africa has to a Heritage Day universal. Get it from a butcher who makes their own, like our friends at Frankie Fenner Meat Merchants. Alongside it: lamb or pork chops, chicken pieces, maybe even a steak. None of these are particularly complicated to make, which means it is perfect for a big group braai.
Go Coastal: Weskus Snoek
On the Cape West Coast, Heritage Day can often mean snoek. It can be quite an unforgiving fish (two minutes too long over the coals and it's dry and flaky), but done right, with a sticky apricot jam glaze, it's one of the best things you'll eat in this country all year. We've got the full method in our Weskus Braai Snoek with Apricot Jam Glaze recipe if you want to try it out this Heritage Day.
More Than Meat
The braai sides are where Heritage Day tables start to look different from one house to the next. You start to see dishes like potato salad, chakalaka, pap and gravy, garlic bread, corn on the cob, a Cape Malay curry and even a potjie simmering somewhere on the side. None of it needs to be fancy. It needs to be there, and it needs to be shared. That, after all, is the spirit of Heritage Day. All of us coming together.
One Day, Many Tables
That's really what Heritage Day food is about. Not one national menu, but dozens of family ones, running at the same time, on the same day, all built around a fire. A Zulu household's spread looks different to a Cape Malay one, which looks different to an Afrikaans braai in the Free State. The dishes change, but the fire doesn't.
(Image in collaboration with Litehouse)
Get the Fire Right First
The Fire is central to Heritage Day. That means you need the right tools for it. Help start it properly with The Blower. It creates precision airflow through an adjustable brass nozzle for coaxing a stubborn fire to life.
To bring coals that are fading fast back to life, the Paddle is your go-to. Trust us when we say it is better than standing around with an old pizza box or a tupperware lid. You also look so much cooler when holding the Paddle.
Handle the meat with a tong specifically designed for your food. That's exactly what the Donkey Tong 69cm is.
Manage the coals and wood with a tong built for fire. For that, you definitely need a Donkey Long Tong 80cm.
Standing that close to a fire for hours also makes a case for the Fire Apron. It is our full-grain leather, naturally flame-retardant leather apron with a built-in tong holster so you're not hunting for tongs mid-braai.
One Gift, Every Tool
If Heritage Day's got you shopping as much as cooking, the Jack Sack is a must-have. It's a handmade leather bag that holds the full Donkey kit: both tongs, The Blower and The Paddle, in one adventure-ready bag. Each tong can also be engraved for an extra R200 per unit, or someone's actual handwriting lasered on for R300. It might not be the traditional Heritage Day gift, but it's definitely one people will remember.
Whatever's on your grid this Heritage Day, get there with the right tools and more people than feels sensible.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do South Africans traditionally braai on Heritage Day?Boerewors, chops and chicken are the closest thing to a national default, with snoek a strong regional tradition on the Cape West Coast, plus dishes tied to specific heritages like Cape Malay curries, Zulu classics and Afrikaans potjies. It all depends on who's hosting. |
What is the most traditional Heritage Day food?Boerewors is the closest thing to a universal answer, but "traditional" varies by family, region and heritage. That variety is the point of the day. |
Is snoek a Heritage Day tradition?Yes, especially on the West Coast of the Cape, usually braaied whole with a sticky apricot jam glaze. It's unforgiving on the fire, so it rewards attention more than most Heritage Day dishes. |
What sides go with a Heritage Day braai?Potato salad, chakalaka, pap and gravy, garlic bread and corn on the cob are the regulars. They are simple, shareable and built to feed a crowd. |
Does Heritage Day food differ between cultures in South Africa?Yes, significantly. A Zulu household's Heritage Day table looks different to a Cape Malay one, which looks different again to an Afrikaans one. The fire is the constant; the dish on it changes by family and heritage. |
Can Donkey Long Tong tools be personalised for a Heritage Day gift?Yes. Tongs take standard engraving for an extra R200, or a scan of someone's actual handwriting for R300. It's not a traditional Heritage Day gift, but it's become a popular one. |
Where can I find a proper how to braai snoek recipe for Heritage Day?See our Weskus Braai Snoek with Apricot Jam Glaze recipe for the full method, timing and glaze. |
