Foodways & Migration: Johannesburg

Developed in collaboration with Jazmin Badong Llana

In cooperation with PSi # 28: Uhambo Luyazilawula at the University of University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa, Spatula&Barcode hosted a conversation about foodways and migration for international visitors with the following local interlocutors: Brittany Kesselman (food justice scholar and activist), Hannelie Coetzee (artist and honorary research fellow), Joyce Ojino (scientist and accountant), Laura Pereira (sustainability researcher and futurist), Lucy Pearl Khofi (scientist and pracademic), Memory Reid (environmental and sustainability scientist), Mpumelelo Ncwadi (farmer and researcher), Sandra van Oostenbrugg (people’s pantry director), Sanza Sandile (food activist, cook and storyteller), Sènankpon Tcheton (scientist and activist), Tammy Langtry (curator and researcher), Tim Hart (researcher and activist), Tumelo Mafela (corporate entrepreneur and creative solutionist), Yashila Govender (scientist and activist), and Zinahle Modiselle (creative consultant).

The meal, which was staged at the home of our collaborating Chef Noni (Nonhlanhla Godole) in Linbro Park, featured regional and indigenous ingredients. We discussed: What foods have been brought by immigrants to South Africa? What challenges are encountered when preparing these foods? What foods do emigrants miss when they move abroad? What foods from one region of Africa have traveled to another region? What challenges do immigrants and emigrants face when attempting to prepare familiar foods in foreign locations? What are the stories that surround these foods?

Special thanks to Traver Mudzonga and Thembi Mathebula who helped us realize this event.