This Heritage Month, Sunlight is encouraging South Africans to step outside their usual food traditions and into someone else’s kitchen with its #CookOutsideYourCulture challenge.
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Food is a big part of how South Africans experience and share culture, from family recipes and regional specialities to dishes passed down through generations.
Sunlight’s latest campaign is putting a different spin on that idea, inviting people to choose a dish from a culture other than their own, learn about its story and meaning, and try making it themselves.
The campaign aims to use food as a way to encourage curiosity and conversations between South Africans from different cultural backgrounds.
“South Africa has an extraordinary richness of cultures and food traditions, and food gives us such an accessible way to experience and appreciate them,” says Caroline Blumrick, senior marketing manager for Sunlight at Unilever.
From bunny chow to Malva pudding
Several South African creators have already taken on the challenge, experimenting with dishes outside their familiar food traditions.
Onezwa Mbola tried making tihove and spinach for the first time, while Sive Mdluli took on a lamb bunny chow. After being challenged by Mdluli, Uthika Naidu attempted Inyama Yangaphakathi.
Danielle Steynvaardt and her family prepared a traditional Xhosa dish before passing the challenge on, while Wendy Sigwadi explored Afrikaans food heritage by making a classic Malva pudding with some help from her children.
@d.niel_sa Hey @Wendy Sigwadi ���� We’re challenging YOU to cook an Afrikaans dish: Malva Pudding! ������ Because if Sunlight challenged our Afrikaans family to step outside of our culture and cook a traditional Xhosa dish, we think it’s only fair that we challenge you to step outside of yours too! �� Sunlight would like to invite you to cook outside of your culture this Heritage Month. Try something new, learn something new, and most importantly, share it around the table. ❤️ And if you’re looking for the dish we made, here’s the recipe: �� Umgqusho (Samp & Beans) You can enjoy it with any meat and vegetable sides of your choice. You’ll need: • 1½ cups samp • 1½ cups red speckled beans • 1 Knorrox beef stock cube • Butter • Salt & pepper Method: Soak the samp and beans overnight in cold water. Drain and rinse before cooking. Place them in a large pot, cover with water and bring to the boil. Cook over medium heat for 1½–2 hours, or until tender. Add a little butter or oil (your preference), season with salt and pepper, mix well and serve with your favourite meat and vegetables — or enjoy it just as it is. �� So, Auntie Wendy… we’re waiting for that Malva Pudding! �� #Sunlight #SunlightSA #HeritageMonth #CookOutsideYourCulture #HeritageMonthSA @Sunlight South Africa ♬ original sound - Danielle Steynvaardt
The campaign positions these cooking experiences as an opportunity to learn more about the people, traditions and stories behind the dishes, rather than simply trying something new to eat.
The mess is part of it
Trying an unfamiliar recipe doesn't always result in a perfect-looking plate — or a spotless kitchen.
Sunlight's #SunlightDirtyDishCount forms part of the campaign, encouraging participants to share the pots, pans, bowls and plates left behind after their culinary experiments.
“We want people to feel free to get involved, experiment and enjoy the process rather than worry about the mess afterwards,” says Blumrick.
What will you cook?
South Africans can take part by choosing a dish from a culture outside their own, learning about its background, cooking it and sharing the experience.
Participants can post their experience on social media, tag @SunlightZA and use #CookOutsideYourCulture and #SunlightDirtyDishCount.
