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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South African Culinary Heritage
own, so there was nothing for us to pack away). Hysteria
had heightened as I had respond with this answer. With a
broken heart, she subsequently related to me how much the
equipment meant to her and how she had struggled to
source this from the supplier.
The night before, during our prep, her concern had been
about relatives that had to be watched and discouraged from
taking extra portions of food. Even then, her mind was
going into a stock-taking mode that was already consuming
her. It was awfully heart-breaking to witness this setback.
Thankfully, she later found the items in her own storeroom.
Suddenly, it had dawned to me that a few years before, I was
just like her!
Clutter affects us in different ways. In this instance, it had
clogged the host’s thoughtfulness and ability to appreciate
life. Worst of all, it was distracting her from important
things, and leading her towards focusing on mundane
matters, instead, meaning that – somehow – clutter was
holding her captive. The payback for material attachment is
the enormous pleasure and honour which these “things”
seemingly bestow on us, demanding attention as they salute
us, each time we walk by. This attachment is counteracted
with misguided giving as an antidote; whereas giving, in
essence, is the transferring of possessions, not discarding of
possessions; you give what you value.
For others, the reason for attachment might be a sense of
character and importance; and I call such people “egotists”.
These people are pleasant to be around, as they enjoy an
audience. They find any excuse in the world to have a show,
and take pleasure from the “production”. This “show” from
these “egotists” could include shopping, buying, asking for
quotations, and for measurements to more buying. The
production takes priority over everything else, including
squandering the things that matter most. As their dinner
guests, you become part of the exhibition and spectacle.
They would love to offer you a cup of tea or a glass of water,
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