One thing that all South Africans take great pride in is spending quality time with loved ones around a fire while indulging in food, beverages, and stimulating conversation.

 One thing that all South Africans take great pride in is spending quality time with loved ones around a fire while indulging in food, beverages, and stimulating conversation.

Whether you refer to it as a braai or shisanyama, we can all agree that this age-old South African tradition has earned its spot at the top of our celebratory activities.



Matome Maphala, the creator of Matswi Braai Stands, is among many who have influenced this tradition.

Maphala and his elder brother were sitting in their garden in September 2017, following Maphala's completion of his apprenticeship in electrical trade. An ancient geyser was lying on the ground. After examining it, I came up with a suggestion, which I shared with my brother: let's construct. The firm uses used geysers to make smokers and braai stands. They also produce built-in braai stands and built-in fireplaces. In addition to serving as their workplace, their family yard in Seshego is where the braai stands are made.


According to Maphala, their firm differs from others of a similar kind in that they exclusively utilize ancient geysers as opposed to others that employ steel drums.

The lack of geysers and the ability to produce in huge quantities have been the company's two main obstacles.

Transportation is another issue that prevents us from delivering outside of Polokwane. Thankfully, 4King Fantasties Store, a distributor store in Gauteng Province, Pretoria, now distributes our items," stated Maphala.



Mahau Maphala during 4King Fantasties Store's grand opening.  The defense ministry stated on Thursday that the French navy had shot down two drones over the Red Sea, where Yemen's Huthi rebels have been assaulting ships. This is the second incident of this week.


The military, which has two frigates stationed nearby, stated that it "destroyed two drones" after seeing a danger during the night of Wednesday to Thursday.



It claimed to have taken down two further drones earlier this week between Monday and Tuesday.

The European Union formally started a naval mission on Monday to defend ships in the Red Sea against the Huthis, who are supported by Iran and hold a large portion of the war-torn country of Yemen. Since November, the rebels have been causing havoc on the crucial shipping route, claiming that their actions are a show of support for the Palestinians in Gaza during the Israel-Hamas conflict. According to the foreign ministry, France's Languedoc region earlier shot down two drones in the Red Sea in self-defense in December.

According to an official last Friday, the European Union hopes to launch its operation, known as Aspides, which is Greek for "shield," with at least four vessels in a "few weeks." Along with Britain, the United States is leading its own naval coalition in the region and has launched retaliatory strikes on Huthi targets in Yemen.





Due to the many Huthi attacks, which have disrupted Red Sea commerce, several corporations have redirected their vessels, including taking a two-week detour over southern Africa.With Proflight Zambia launching the first-ever direct service between Cape Town and Lusaka, the Western Cape further fortifies ties with important African markets following a sharp increase in its international aviation connectivity.

Proflight and the Taj Cape Town hotel collaborated to organize a launch event to mark the new route, highlighting the potential benefits for travel, business, and investment between the two nations and cities.


Proflight Zambia has raised the frequency of its Lusaka – Cape Town route to three nonstop flights per week starting in February 2024, reflecting strong demand for the route. The route was initially inaugurated with a twice weekly service.

The improved timetable, which includes flights on Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, is the sole way to link directly with the air.