SOUTH AFRICAN CULINARY HERITAGE
The book South African Culinary Heritage by Eunice Rakhale, is about local food history and traditions interlaced with family conversations. It illustrates the culinary diversity of Southern African cuisine and some neighbouring countries, comparing the similarities and unique palatable heritages thereof. Written in a conversational style, the book is a handy culinary compilation which will bestow the reader with explorations regarding local African lifestyles history, art, clothing, music and perhaps even some song and dance. For tourists visiting these African countries – possessing a diversity of ethnic cultures, it is a worthy read regarding heritage and of-course African cuisine. A guide which should be included in any tourist’s travel pack and families. It is about a genuine story told with an extraordinary ability that draws parallel between the author’s struggle in the restaurant industry and in her personal life. Ultimately, her passion for food is where she finds solace to learn, heal and grow. Mother Daughter relationships can be extremely complex and Eunice is no exception. In the book, besides a plethora of authentic recipes and history, she shares candidly about her strained relationship with her daughter Mothei Makhetha. Being estranged for seven years, Mothei writes her mother a letter, in a desperate cry for help, which she hopes will begin the healing process. After receiving the letter, circumstances of her life took Eunice back home to her mother in Moletsane, Soweto. This happens while she is researching her culinary book authenticating the recipes through the help of her mother. This handing down of recipes from her mother gets them connected on a very deep level, thus, creating compassion and trust they never had. In desperation Eunice seeks counselling from her own mother to try and mend the relationship with her daughter. Their journey is one of true and sincere conversations handed down from one generation to another, around family meals and prayerful family meetings.
The book South African Culinary Heritage by Eunice Rakhale, is about local food history and traditions interlaced with family conversations. It illustrates the culinary diversity of Southern African cuisine and some neighbouring countries, comparing the similarities and unique palatable heritages thereof. Written in a conversational style, the book is a handy culinary compilation which will bestow the reader with explorations regarding local African lifestyles history, art, clothing, music and perhaps even some song and dance. For tourists visiting these African countries – possessing a diversity of ethnic cultures, it is a worthy read regarding heritage and of-course African cuisine. A guide which should be included in any tourist’s travel pack and families.
It is about a genuine story told with an extraordinary ability that draws parallel between the author’s struggle in the restaurant industry and in her personal life. Ultimately, her passion for food is where she finds solace to learn, heal and grow.
Mother Daughter relationships can be extremely complex and Eunice is no exception. In the book, besides a plethora of authentic recipes and history, she shares candidly about her strained relationship with her daughter Mothei Makhetha. Being estranged for seven years, Mothei writes her mother a letter, in a desperate cry for help, which she hopes will begin the healing process. After receiving the letter, circumstances of her life took Eunice back home to her mother in Moletsane, Soweto. This happens while she is researching her culinary book authenticating the recipes through the help of her mother. This handing down of recipes from her mother gets them connected on a very deep level, thus, creating compassion and trust they never had. In desperation Eunice seeks counselling from her own mother to try and mend the relationship with her daughter.
Their journey is one of true and sincere conversations handed down from one generation to another, around family meals and prayerful family meetings.
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Eunice Rakhale-Molefe
In Fourways, Johannesburg in the hub of entertainment and
eateries, snuggles an elegant, petite coffee shop, and the
place is buzzing, which is typical of a Friday evening. The
smell of coffee is alluring, but – sadly – a cup of coffee is
not an option for me.
I was there for a different reason. I had been invited to see
if I could offer any support to the owner. This was the last
day of trade, and, by the next morning, the place would be
closed down. However, as it is often the case with
restaurants that are about to close down, there was no sign
whatsoever to indicate the calamity that was brewing.
Indeed, the restaurant closed the following day; as if it had
not been trading just a few hours before; and taking no
prisoners.
A few kilometers away from the shopping centre, at another
entertainment hub amid the serene suburban homes, nestles
a steakhouse, best known for many a fine dining
masterpiece. The owners share with me the devastating
news that the establishment might not be available to
service the Christmas patronage. As we are talking, a regular
guest interrupted, complimenting them on the fine dining
experience, and also confirming her booking for Sunday
lunch. Over drinks I spent time with the couple after their
cash-up routine, as they share the heartache over their
seemingly delightful little gem, but which was soon to be no
more – another restaurant going down, and taking no
prisoners, once again.
My heart goes out to them as I am taken back to my days at
my own restaurant on Grayston Drive in Sandton,
Johannesburg; but I couldn’t offer any advice. One must
understand that, while I am also still caught up in the façade
of the business, nothing I would have said would have made
any sense. So, I didn’t even try, but I had continue to offer
myself for emotional support.
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