Pap & Chakalaka: A Johannesburg Heritage Story

If you’ve ever sat around a braai fire in Johannesburg, chances are you’ve had a plate of pap with a good spoonful of chakalaka. It’s simple, hearty, and unapologetically South African - the kind of food that carries stories in every bite.

Pap has been around for generations, filling the bellies of families and workers alike. For the mineworkers who flocked to Joburg in the early days, it was more than just a starch, it was comfort. A bowl of pap after a long shift was grounding, a reminder of home, no matter how far away that home might have been.

Chakalaka, on the other hand, is Joburg’s flavour child. No one knows the exact recipe, and that’s the beauty of it. Born in the mining hostels, it started with whatever was on hand - tinned tomatoes, beans, onions, a few peppers - and somehow became the fiery, colourful relish we know today. Every family has their own twist: more chilli, less carrot, a secret spice or two. But the heart of chakalaka has always been the same, it’s about turning the ordinary into something memorable, a dish that sparks conversation and warms a table.

Put the two together and you’ve got a meal that’s pure heritage. It’s the taste of Johannesburg: practical yet full of character, born out of resilience but shared in celebration. On Heritage Day, it’s the kind of dish that reminds us who we are, diverse, resourceful, and always better when we come together.

And now, there’s a fresh way to make it sing. Just as PURA Soda balances flavour with simplicity, it can be brought right into the dish itself. By adding a splash of PURA Seville Orange to your chakalaka, the citrus brightness lifts the heat of the chillies, deepens the tomato base, and adds a gentle tang that makes every spoonful pop.

Recipe Twist: Chakalaka with PURA

• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 red pepper, diced
• 2 carrots, grated
• 1 tin baked beans
• 1 tin chopped tomatoes
• 1 fresh chilli, chopped (optional)
• ½ cup PURA Soda Seville Orange
• 1 tsp curry powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Sauté the onion, garlic, and pepper until softened. Stir in carrots, curry powder, and chilli. Add the tomatoes and beans, then pour in the PURA Soda and simmer until thickened. Season and serve alongside soft pap.

This Heritage Day, let pap, chakalaka, and a splash of PURA remind you that tradition can always welcome a refreshing new chapter.

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