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
part of the church structure. It was more like a cult, with an
emphasis on honouring and obeying the leadership and the
church rules; not Christ centered at all. So, all what Mr
Maphosa was saying at that time, was foreign to me; and, as
a result, I did not heed his words of wisdom. So I had lived
to regret this, as my marriage crumbled, taking no prisoners!
The preparations continue and during the hectic activities
my mother takes my hand and leads me to a corner. This
particular incident is still so vivid in my mind that I
remember the exact place where we were standing: “Eunice,
I have some information that tells me this marriage is at
great risk. You can continue to date, but there are things
you need to know and be prepared for, before you commit
yourself to this marriage. Should you want to call off the
wedding I will support you, it is not too late.”
As with the previous incidence, I do not remember the
answer I gave my mother. I recall many things about my life,
but this one thing I do not remember. The fact is I dismissed
the advice and the wedding went ahead! Strike 3.
More than thirty years later I find myself back home. Back
home because I disobeyed my mother and got married
against her advice. I was also disobedient and ignored
counsel regarding my marriage from two other loving
elders, my uncle (Strike 1) and former school teacher Mr
Maphosa(Strike2). And because of this disobedience
disaster befell me. The bible is full of warnings against the
consequences of disobedience, and overflowing with
highlights regarding the rewards of obedience. Going back
home in my old age, gave me an opportunity to make it right
with my beloved mother. And my life at 65 is back on track
and for this I am grateful!
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