South Africans celebrate heritage day with a national Braai

South Africa's tradition of cooking meat over an open flame dates back centuries and remains a defining part of the country's culture.

Every year on Heritage Day, celebrated on September 24, the braai takes centre stage as people across the country gather around fires, food and family.

Jan Braai, who helped launch National Braai Day 25 years ago, says the tradition was intended to give South Africans a shared day of celebration.

"The aim of the initiative is to create a national day of celebration for South Africans and those who wish they were South African, similar to Saint Patrick's Day in Ireland or Thanksgiving in the US. I think these are famous global examples of what we're trying to do with National Braai Day."

In Pretoria, about 3,000 people gathered in an attempt to set a world record for the largest braai.

For many, the tradition cuts across South Africa's diverse cultures and languages.

"It doesn't matter. English, Afrikaans, Xhosa, Zulu, Sepedi, wherever you're from, we all enjoy a braai. And it's all about the fire, the charcoal. It has to have that smell. And that is really important," Celeste Myburgh, co-owner of Catercom, said.

The braai also has a deeper place in the country's history. During apartheid, when racial segregation restricted social interaction, backyard braais provided spaces where people could gather and connect.

Today, many South Africans see the tradition as a symbol of unity and ubuntu.

From its historic roots to today's Heritage Day celebrations, the braai remains a shared tradition that brings South Africans together.