And so another Heritage Day is almost upon us. At first, I found myself a little stumped at what to write, but I figured when it comes to matters of the heart, it’s always best to speak directly from it. So, I made a cake and wrote this poem.

An Ode to the Motherland

Oh, South Africa – my home.

There is just so much to say,

To you, I owe my roots, my life

I’m thankful every day.

Sure, there are a couple things I hate,

Like crime and poverty.

Corrupt leadership’s an issue too,

But I probably can’t mention “Jay-Z”…

I love you for your biltong,

Your beaches and the sea.

South African was your childhood

If you grew up with K-TV.

When mom worshipped Isidingo,

Dad did too – if he was willing.

When it didn’t feel like Thursday

If you never watched Top Billing.

For the nights you had a “jol”

Or the “laanies” vyed casino.

When you were finally old enough to drink

Kak strong Benoni cappuccinos.

It’s our pap with Chakalaka,

The masala in our curry.

And how we’ll always see you “now-now”

‘Cause we’re never in a hurry.

It’s a “how’s a R2?” at the robot,

And Derek Watts on Sunday night.

How we learnt from eating Chappies,

And an ice cold Castle Lite.

Landscapes from berg to bush,

And of course our own “big 5”

Fleets of taxis on our roads,

Making us vloek each time we drive.

The pride during our anthem,

And the gees at Loftus, too.

How our nation makes good friends

Out of strangers, like me and you.

It’s the “haibos” and the “ekses”

All the slang that’s so appealing,

Makes me realise it’s not a place at all…

South Africa’s a feeling.

This one’s for those who love it here,

And never want to leave.

That see it all for what it is,

Who think, who feel, who breathe.

It’s for those who find themselves afar

With heartache to the bone.

Don’t forget what lies this side for you…

You can always come back home.

Sure, you can change the future,

To plot the path where you are going.

But you can never change your heritage,

Where you’ve come from is worth knowing.

And so we celebrate a place, a heart,

A full-on cultural Mecca.

How hard you try, you can’t deny

Life here is truly lekker!

Without any more delay,

Your Defy oven must be itching,

Please enjoy my latest offering

With love from Baking and Bitching.

 

Yours in Baking, Bitching and GEES (because “xoxo” was too mainstream and because you’re only as strong as your last Benoni Cappucino).

Bron

Side note: A Benoni Cappuccino is a Klippies and Coke. So, in honour of Heritage Day, I present to you, a Benoni Cappucino Cake!

Ingredients:

For the Coke Cake

250g Flour

2 teaspoons Baking Powder

300g Caster Sugar

3 tablespoons Cocoa

A big pinch of Bicarb

250g Butter

1 cup of Coca Cola

1/2 cup of Milk

2 Eggs

1 teaspoon of Vanilla Extract

For the Klippies Caramel

1 cup Cream

1 and 1/2 cups Muscovado Sugar

2 tablespoons Klippies

1/4 cup Butter

The seeds of one Vanilla Pod

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius and grease a ring tin.
2. Melt butter and coke together in a saucepan until butter is liquid.
3. Add all dry ingredients to a bowl.
4. Add eggs, milk, vanilla and butter mix and combine well.
5. Pour into the greased ring and bake for 35-40 minutes or until a tester comes out clean. Leave to cool completely before making the caramel.
6. To make caramel, add cream and sugar to a saucepan. Stir on medium heat until it comes to the boil.
7. Allow to boil for a minute and remove from heat.
8. Add butter, vanilla seeds and brandy. Stir until combined.
9. Leave to cool, it gets thicker as it cools so once cool completely, drizzle on top of cake.