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
“Is that all? Okay, I will go further; I will cook and bring
food for you. You do not have to be concerned about what
you have to eat; just focus on writing,” Monki had then
reassured me, excitedly, and gave me a big hug, as if to seal
the deal.
Monki found us a room to rent in her complex in Fourways,
within walking distance from her home. Each morning, she
brought my husband and me breakfast before she left for
work. For dinner, she recommended that we come to her
home, essentially for me to get a break from writing. In
many ways, she had turned out to be more than I had
needed.
Writing my story had meant that I had to go through the
pain, all over again. The thought of this had filled me with
great fear. Monki is also the one who had memories of our
childhood, so I had to tap into her own recollections, as
well, so as to ignite mine. She had also challenged me to
revisit every emotional aspect of my story, including the
painful ones. She helped me to share my story from the
deepest of my being. The writing took longer than six
months; a year to be specific, and my sister had diligently
supported me, each step of the way, to the end.
And for this, I am grateful!
TABLE 3 – A BROTHER’S TABLE
It was a sunny, festive Friday afternoon when my brother,
Elia, had dropped by to visit my mother, joining the family
for lunch. Elia enjoyed the fact that we were back home –
my husband and me – staying with my mother. He
particularly liked the way I was looking after her and the
changes I had implemented in the house.
“The restaurant has come home”, he had always remarked,
joyfully, whenever I set the table and served the food.
However, something was on his mind this time and he
beckoned us to a discussion: “This is not a meeting, Mme;
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