Holiday Traditions of South Africa

"Merry Christmas"

Christmas in the Summer

As South Africa lies in the Southern Hemisphere, Christmas falls in the middle of summer. There’s no ‘White Christmas,’ but rather a colorful season of blooming wildflowers and lush green grass. Schools are closed for the entire month of December, along with many businesses. Outdoor activities are a favorite pastime in South Africa, so this is a time for planning trips to the beach or camping out in the countryside, as well as visiting friends and family. Kruger National Park is a popular destination for holiday vacationers.

Caroling and Christmas Eve Celebrations

Caroling is a popular Christmas tradition in South Africa, and groups of carolers can be found throughout neighborhoods and on street corners singing festive songs. Some Christmas Eve celebrations in larger cities feature “Carols by Candlelight,” where people gather to sing by the light of candles, creating a magical atmosphere.

European Traditions

South Africa’s Christmas celebrations also include many European traditions brought over by Dutch colonists. Homes are decorated with pine branches and the traditional fir Christmas tree, ready to be surrounded by presents. Stockings are hung by the mantle, filled with fruits, sweets, toys, and other goodies in anticipation. While gift-giving is not the major highlight of the season due to South Africa’s tradition of giving year-round, Santa Claus, known as Sinterklaas or Kersvader (Father Christmas in Afrikaans), may still make an appearance.

Christmas Lunch and Braai

Rather than Christmas dinner, the traditional Christmas meal in South Africa is a festive lunch, often eaten outside under the summer sun. A popular choice for this meal is a barbecue, known locally as a “braai.” Main dishes include turkey, duck, or roast beef, served with sides like mince pies, suckling pig, yellow rice with raisins, and vegetables. Desserts include Christmas plum pudding, Christmas crackers, and a beloved traditional dish called Malva Pudding, also known as Lekker Pudding.

Boxing Day

Boxing Day, celebrated on December 26th, is a public holiday in South Africa. It’s a day for relaxation, where people enjoy time with family and reflect on the festive season. Many South Africans use this day to wind down after the excitement of Christmas Day.

Holiday Traditions in South Africa

Video by Lifey

Malva Pudding

Malva pudding is a traditional South African dessert served during Christmas. It’s a sweet, moist pudding made with apricot jam and a creamy sauce, often enjoyed warm.

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon apricot jam
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 tablespoon butter (room temperature)
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 large eggs
• Pinch of salt

For the Sauce

• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup hot water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and grease an 8x8 inch baking dish.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, mix the apricot jam, butter, vinegar, eggs, and milk until well combined.
4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until smooth.
5. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake for about 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
6. While the pudding is baking, prepare the sauce. In a saucepan, combine the cream, butter, sugar, water, and vanilla extract. Heat until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves.
7. When the pudding is done, remove it from the oven and pour the hot sauce over the pudding while it's still hot. Allow it to soak for at least 15 minutes before serving.

Bobotie

Bobotie is a traditional South African dish, often served at Christmas time. It’s a spiced minced meat dish with a baked egg topping, influenced by Malay cooking.

Ingredients

• 2 slices of white bread
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 large onion (chopped)
• 1 pound ground beef or lamb
• 1 tablespoon curry powder
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 tablespoon apricot jam
• 2 tablespoons raisins
• 2 tablespoons almonds (chopped)
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 cup water

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease a large baking dish.
2. Soak the bread in 1/2 cup of milk and set aside.
3. In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat and sauté the onions until soft and translucent.
4. Add the ground meat to the skillet and cook until browned.
5. Mix in the curry powder, turmeric, apricot jam, raisins, almonds, and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Squeeze the excess milk from the soaked bread and crumble it into the meat mixture. Stir to combine and transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish.
7. Beat the eggs with the remaining milk and water, and pour this over the meat mixture to form a topping.
8. Bake for about 35-40 minutes, or until the top is set and golden brown.

Braai (South African Barbecue)

In South Africa, a "braai" is an essential part of the Christmas meal. It's a barbecue that typically includes meats like lamb, pork, chicken, or sausages, cooked over an open flame.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds lamb chops or pork ribs
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon garlic (minced)
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, soy sauce, honey, lemon juice, garlic, paprika, salt, and pepper.
2. Add the lamb chops or pork ribs to the marinade, making sure they're well-coated. Marinate for at least 2 hours or overnight in the refrigerator.
3. Preheat your grill or barbecue to medium heat.
4. Grill the marinated meat for about 10-15 minutes on each side, depending on thickness, until cooked through and nicely charred.
5. Serve with sides such as potato salad, grilled vegetables, or bread rolls.

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