South Africa is a country of many firsts which is why this Heritage Day its essential we also celebrate our country’s epicurean trendsetters. It’s their innovative ideas and creativity that have become so ubiquitous in the lives of many South Africans who enjoy the finer things in life.

SA’s first Michelin-star chef

Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen. In 2016, less than three years after opening his restaurant, JAN in Nice in France, it received its first Michelin star. Later, Jan Hendrik expanded JAN’s borders by introducing MARIA, a bespoke dining concept named after his grandmother, who had a profound impact on his cooking. He recently also announced the opening of KLEIN JAN, which will be situated on a private game reserve, Tswalu Kalahari.

SA’s first luxury township hotel

Mrs. Annette Skaap built South Africa’s first four-star township boutique hotel, Spade Hotel and Spa in Khayelitsha, near Cape Town. The hotel, situated 24km away from Cape Town International Airport, has 13 suites with modern finishes and design elements. She is a qualified auditor and first ventured into rental property seven years ago after observing travellers flocking into the Western Cape annually from other provinces. She noticed a gap in the market and started developing rental apartments and properties.

SA’s first and original pink gin

Musgrave Pink Gin is South Africa’s first and original pink gin and was first introduced in 2015, by founder and owner of Musgrave Crafted Spirits, Simone Musgrave. While on a trendspotting trip to the UK, she noticed the craft trend shifting between categories with gin making the biggest impact. Back home, the craft beer market was flooded making the timing just right. Competing with many other luxury gin brands was not going to be easy, which meant the Musgrave Gin needed to stand out. And so, she began distilling her own unique botanical blend. Known to gracefully seduce even the purist of gin drinkers, it’s just as pretty as a picture with its youthful play on pink. Distilled with Musgrave’s signature 11 botanicals, Rose hips are added during the distillery process, accentuating the distinct top notes of Cardamom, African Ginger and Grains of Paradise sourced from exotic locations across the African continent.

SA’s first luxury rail travel

The Blue Train was first launched in 1923 by the Union Limited and Union Express. The idea was inspired by Cecil John Rhodes who dreamt of extending the British Empire by building a Trans-African railway between Cape Town and Cairo and although that never materialised, the Blue Train did become known as the Palace on Wheels, connecting Cape Town harbour and the goldfields of the Witwatersrand. As of 2009, the Blue Train is operated by Luxrail, a division of Transnet Freight Rail. It was voted Africa’s Leading Luxury Train for 10 consecutive years by the World Travel Awards.

SA’s first black artist to exhibit at the South African National Gallery

Moses Tladi (1903–1959) was a self-taught artist with a reputation as a realist landscape painter, who was the first black artist to exhibit at the Iziko South African National Gallery, soon after the present building was opened, first in 1931 and then in 1933. Moses was born in Lobethal, GaPhahla, in the northern part of South Africa. He was the son of a traditional healer who made a living by working creatively in iron, and a mother who was a gifted potter. His work has been offered at auction multiple times, with realized prices ranging from 8,626 USD to 23,526 USD, depending on the size and medium of the artwork.

SA’s first black woman celebrity chef

Siba Mtongana is one of the most in-demand celebrity chefs in South Africa who is constantly on an array of local and international programmes, at food festivals all over the world and on the cover of several glossy magazine. Born in Mdantsane in the Eastern Cape, Mtongana’s popularity skyrocketed after the success of her cookbook Welcome to My Table and television shows such as Siba’s Table, which appeared on the Food Network. She recently launched Siba – The Restaurant at The Table Bay Hotel.

SA’s first African denim brand

AfrikansSwiss first launched in 2014 by Tshepo, Jean Maker, Mohlala, Thato Mafubelu-Matabane and technology specialist Vusi Ndinisa. While their early joint venture went bust, Mohlala is today the founder of celebrity-endorsed premium ready-to-wear denim brand, Tshepo The Jean Maker which he launched in 2015, and Ngwenya, who is among Forbes Africa 30 under 30 entrepreneurs, went on to found his international premium sock brand, Skinny Sbu Socks. Tshepo opened a flagship store in Hyde Park Corner, one of Johannesburg’s top shopping malls known for housing luxury brands and in 2019 he was made a pair of jeans for Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex who collected them in person.

While we look to the past to remember where we come from, its also important that we look at the present to appreciate what we have now and view it as a predictor for the future. With so many incredible South Africans investing in our beautiful country, we have a lot to be grateful for on this Heritage Day.

HERITAGE DAY RECIPES:

GINA COLADA

Musgrave’s African interpretation of the poolside classic celebrates the grains of paradise notes of Musgrave Original 11. Grains of paradise exhibit a black-pepper-like flavour with hints of citrus which beautifully balances the tropical pineapple and savoury notes of roasted corn and Mageu. Mageu is a traditional South African, non-alcoholic drink made from fermented mealie pap which is milk like in consistency.

Glass: high ball

Ingredients:

  • 50ml Musgrave Original 11
  • 35ml peppered and roasted mielie cordial
  • 35ml pineapple juice
  • 25ml mageu
  • Method: shake vigorously and strain over ice
  • Garnish: roasted baby corn / nasturtium or marigold flower

SPEKTRE

Spektre is a classy, zesty and refreshing cocktail which is good for the soul and for the heart. The clean, aloe flavour of spekboom complements the hero notes of cardamom present on the palate of Musgrave Original 11. Spekboom is well known for its health benefits in reducing cholesterol.

Glass: coupe

Ingredients:

  • 50ml Musgrave Original 11
  • 35ml cardamom and spekboom purée
  • 35ml cloudy apple juice
  • 10ml lime juice
  • Method: shake and double strain
  • Garnish – spekboom sprig/cardamom flower

TANGAWIZI

Tangawizi is the Swahili word for ginger and a nod to the African spice markets that inspired Musgrave Original 11. This warming and invigorating cocktail is complex in character and celebrates the notes of African ginger found in both Musgrave Original 11 and in Musgrave Pink.

Glass: rocks/tumbler

Ingredients:

  • 50ml Musgrave Original 11
  • 20ml vanilla and ginger syrup
  • 25ml cold coffee
  • 35ml baobab solution (3 teaspoons mixed with 250ml water)
  • Method: shake vigorously and strain over ice
  • Garnish: coffee beans