Christmas in South Africa

by Mireille
(Fourways, Joburg. South Africa)

Santa on The Beach

To give you an idea how the spirits are here in South Africa during Xmas, then this picture of Santa on the beach is a very good impression.

Since it is mid summer here, people either spend their days at the pool in the backyard or they go to the beach for their summer break. So it is very easy going and relaxed.

We will have our big Xmas dinner outside next to the pool, while we enjoy and braai (BBQ) our kingklip and prawn kebabs in chermoula sauce, green mealie (corn) bread, roast beetroot and carrot salad, msamba (pumpkin leaves), irio (kenyas mashed potatoes) and spinach in peanut coconut sauce, the girls will dipp into the pool while nibbling on their food. And for dessert a Tanzanian pineapple salad with a Don Pedro to finish it off. I hope it taste all as good as it sounds ;-)

This is a complete African Xmas dinner, with only recipes from the African continent, like countries as Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa. Very different than most people would celebrate here, but since this Xmas is not a traditional one anyway for us, I decided to do everything in a different manner.

It is funny that the weather has such a big impact on the way you'll celebrate a festival! But I must say it is harder to get into the spirit without the cold and the snow. It is different, not bad in a way, but just not the way we are used to it!

You can read more about our life in South Africa at My Funky Doodle Donkey Blog

Mireille