The Art ofSlowing Down

Lessons  om a Namibian Braai

When I fi rst moved to Namibia ten years ago, I was invited to something called a Bring and Braai. “Braai?” I thought. “Easy — Afrikaans for BBQ. I’ve got this.”

Well, not quite. I showed up on time, German-style — punctual, hungry, and ready for food to be sizzling on the grill. In Germany, the barbecue starts when the sausages hit the fl ames, and you eat as soon as the first one is done. Efficiency at its best!

But in Namibia, a braai is not about effi ciency. It’s About time. About friends, laughter, and endless conversations around the fi re. The meat isn’t just thrown on and eaten

— no, it’s prepared lovingly over an open wood fi re, and everyone eats together when everything is ready. Until then? You sip a glass of wine, enjoy the company, and learn

the art of patience.

And the meat — oh, the meat! Namibia is famous for it. Not just beef, but game meat like oryx, eland, and springbok — and yes, sometimes even zebra. Rich, fl avourful, and so

different from German venison. I’ve even seen lifelong vegetarians “temporarily” convert because, as they say, These were happy animals, living freely under the African sun.

A braai is so much more than a barbecue. It’s a cultural ritual, a celebration of togetherness. The fi re keeps Burning long after the food is fi nished, warming hands and hearts

as stories are told under the stars.

Looking back, I realise that my first braai was more than just an introduction to local food — it was my first real lesson in the Namibian way of life. Things here aren’t

rushed. They’re savoured. Shared. And somehow, waiting makes everything taste even better.

So if you ever find yourself in Namibia and someone invites you to a braai — say yes. Bring your appetite, a bottle of wine, and a good story to share. And remember: don’t arrive hungry… unless you plan to snack on biltong first.

If you have a story to tell, I’d love to hear it! Write to me at

deardiary@myeishanamibia.com

Until next time,

From Sandra’s pen, Namibia