WHAT MAKES SA'S BEST SHISA NYAMA?

An iconic mix of meat, music and community has earned Joburg's shisa nyamas pride of place as the best in the land. Thembalethu Zulu travelled from the north to the south to dig into three of the greatest

-  THEMBALETHU ZULU

MZANSI IS A CULTURAL MELTING POT, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO FOOD.

A typical South African meal can range from a beef potjie to a Cape Malay fish curry, or a steaming pot of offal. We know this. But the one meal that brings people of all cultures together is the good ol’ braai, or, a shisa nyama, as it is known across the country’s townships. Directly translated, this isiZulu term means “burn meat” and, as the name suggests, it isn’t the real deal unless it involves cooking meat over an open fire. 

A brief look into the history of this popular pastime reveals an inspired idea by butcheries to increase their sales by erecting rudimentary fire stands where locals could “buy and braai” communally while enjoying a drink and making friends. The concept has since mushroomed into serious business ventures, with the basic drinks crate for a chair and wooden slab for a plate morphing into well-established restaurants that still hold the core value of community at their heart. The concept has become so popular that some shisa nyamas are now listed as being among the best places to eat in South Africa.

THE OG IN THE NORTH

Founded by Rita Zwane, a.k.a. the doyenne of shisa nyamas, Ivory Park’s Busy Corner is one of the places to be seen for patrons wanting to enjoy a day out in Midrand. It has become synonymous with slow Sunday afternoons where you can enjoy a laid-back meal accompanied by lounge-style music. And, like most in its category – part of the shisa nyama’s offering – it has an on-site carwash.