There are few rituals that connect South Africans quite like the braai. It’s more than just a way to cook meat. It’s where families reconnect, friends celebrate, and strangers become chommies around the fire. It’s how we mark Heritage Day, birthdays, public holidays, and any weekend with decent weather.
And while the fire is the centrepiece, the real magic is in the people who gather around it. Every braai has its characters – the ones who command the tongs, the ones who keep the cooler box “hydrated”, and the ones who show up with nothing but vibes.
Who knows this better than anyone? Drivers on Uber and Uber Eats. After all, they’re the ones ferrying the Cooler Crew (with their clinking ice), rescuing hosts with last-minute chutney runs, and making sure everyone gets home in one piece. Over the years, they’ve spotted the same characters again and again, and here are the five you’ll always find at a braai.
1. The Braai Master
Courier drivers know this one the moment the order pings through: charcoal, firelighters, a mountain of foil, and a pack of boerie rolls for good measure. It’s clear: this is the braai host, and this isn’t just a delivery, it’s the start of the braai. By the time the driver pulls up, the host is already waiting, tongs in hand, ready to claim the fire as their throne. You don’t need an invite to know that this is where the party’s happening.
2. The Cooler Crew
You hear them before you see them: cooler boxes stacked high, ice rattling like a soundtrack, laughter spilling out of the car. They’re the ones who make sure the cooler never runs dry and the vibe is always high – and also the only passenger to put their goods in the boot! Without them, it’s just people waiting for meat. With them, it’s a party.
3. The Dash-and-Grabbers
Perpetually late but absolutely essential. They’re the ones who add an additional destination – a pitstop to the closest Spar to pick up what nobody else thought of: rolls, pap, salad, chutney, extra ice, or – let’s be honest – more beers. Their timing may frustrate, but their arrivals save the day every single time. Without them, the braai risks disaster: dry wors, pap-less plates, and chaos over who forgot the chakalaka.
4. The Social Butterfly
For this guest, the braai is less about the steak and more about the selfies. By sundown, they’ve been spotted at three different braais, posed for countless group selfies, and posted enough Instagram stories to make it look like they’re running for office. Their superpower? Knowing everyone’s cousin. Their kryptonite? Staying in one place for longer than an hour.
5. The Friend-of-a-Friend
They show up uninvited, carrying nothing but good vibes. At first, there’s a chorus of whispers: “Who brought them?” or “Not even a bag of ice?” But an hour in, after a few jokes and maybe a singalong, they’ve won everyone over. Sure, people pretend to be annoyed, but the braai wouldn’t be the same without them. They’re the guest no one planned for, but everyone’s glad they came.
Braai Day is ours
At the end of the day, whether you’re the Braai Master, the Dash-and-Grabber, or just the one bringing good vibes, Heritage Day is about more than what’s on the grid. It’s about the people, the laughter, the stories, and the smell of smoke that clings to your clothes long after the fire has burned out. Because in South Africa, a braai isn’t just a meal – it’s who we are.
