Whether it’s smilies, flatties, walkie talkies or morogo with pap, South Africans do love to cook on an open fire. Heritage Day falls on a Saturday this year, which means there’s no excuse not to get together with friends and family and have a lekker braai, ukosa or shisa nyama. The public holiday invites citizens across all cultural groups to celebrate their heritage and the diversity of our nation. And what better way than to prepare – and share – a meal together?

While there’s nothing quite like tannie’s potato salad (with condensed milk), farm mielies in foil and homemade kwaai braai paais, we encourage you to venture out and honour your heritage in the larger South African community. Who knows? The friends you’ll meet might just teach you their own auntie’s salad recipe or give you tips for the perfect tjop marinade.

In 2005, a media campaign was started by Jan Braai to re-brand the Heritage Day public holiday (originally in honour of Shaka Zulu) as National Braai Day. This was a nod to the popular South African pastime, and a call for people to come together, even if just for one day. Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu has since become patron of the movement, and renamed it Braai4Heritage to gain the approval of South Africa's National Heritage Council.

As The Arch said in 2008 (between mouthfuls of steak), “It's a very simple idea. Irrespective of your politics, of your culture, of your race, of your whatever, hierdie ding doen ons saam … Just South Africans doing one thing together, and recognising that we are a fantastic nation.”

The Archbship Emeritus also spoke about the fire as a traditional gathering place in African – and indeed, any – culture. It gives heat and light; it’s where people gather to eat food and to exchange ideas and stories.

There’s a place for everyone around a fire.

If you don’t have a braai at home – or want to head out and get involved – we’ve found a few fires for you to gather around this Saturday. (There’s even a veggie braai for the herbivores.) We’re sure your local supermarket, butcher and pub are getting in on the action too, but if all else fails, light up some logs in your garden and crack open a local beer to celebrate.

Johannesburg

Carnivore
Flesh is the name of the game at this favourite with meat eaters and tourists. In the centre is an open fire with spears holding a variety of meats.

Junipa’s
There will be a braai on the outside patio from 1pm. The menu includes fillet or rib eye steak, buffet salads, garlic bread and corn on the cob as well as buffet desserts. The cost is R150 for adults and R60 for children under 12. Reservations essential.

Cape Town

Mzoli’s
It’s the usual at this famous braai restaurant: lamb, pork, chicken and sausage on the hot coals with Mzoli’s special chakalaka, served with pap and steamed bread.

Amadoda
The perfect place to be on Heritage Day, because braai is what they do best. Choose from any of their meat combos and have it braaied and served with South African cuisine like pap and chakalaka. Make sure you’re ready to party.

Bascule

Deer Park Café
Enjoy a vegan or vegetarian braai from 3pm to 5pm. The braai buffet is for R100 per adult, and R50 per child under 12. This includes a glass of wine or juice. Reservations are essential.

Delheim
The restaurant will serve delicious lunchtime braai-kos from Monday 19 September until Sunday 25 September. The pinnacle of activities will take place on Braai Day itself, with live music from 1pm. Tickets for the Saturday event are R150 per head.

Earth Fair Food Market
There will be braais cooking outside the market. Pick your choice of special sossies from Rudi’s Deli and bring them to the fire. Add salads from Saladlover, chutneys from Amelia’s, chilli sauces from More, and real beer from the Laughing Crocodile.

La Feta Vij
Enjoy an afternoon braai with sosaties, ribs, chicken wings and all the braai specialities. With every braai plate, get a free Castle Beer.

The Square
Families can enjoy a delicious traditional braai – either picnic-style or seated – as well as live music, a jumping castle and games to keep the kids entertained. From 12 noon to 4pm, for R165 per adult and R90 per child.

Winelands

Laborie Wine Farm
In keeping with the theme, visitors can ‘buy ‘n braai’ and have it prepared by chef Duncan Doherty while they leisurely browse the stalls at the Laborie Lazy Days Market. Duncan will also be braaing steak rolls, and there’ll be boerewors rolls, hamburgers, seafood and sosaties on offer.

Sofia’s
Join Sofia’s at Morgenster Estate in Somerset West for a braai-style lunch to be enjoyed while overlooking the olive groves and vineyards. Craig and the team will braai your meal for you. Cost is R200 per person for meat, salad, roosterkoek and dessert.

Pierneef a La Motte
Celebrate Heritage Day with a special braai menu in the garden. Chef Chris Erasmus will behind the braai himself, cooking up all the traditional favourites like boerewors, chicken, potato salad, braaibroodjies and greens. Reservations essential.

Knysna

Nauticus Place
The National Braai Day Potjiekos Competition takes place between 12 noon and 5pm. Bring your own ingredients, utensils and fire equipment to compete for great prizes. The judging will take place from 4.30pm. There will be a Chef’s Potjie, boerewors rolls and drinks on sale from the restaurant.

By Linda Scarborough
Research by Kelly Pluke
Photographs: Amadoda, Sander van der Wel, Yosuynuts