If you ever want to test a country’s understanding of brunch, throw a group of sleep-deprived people into a kitchen after a chaotic Friday night and give them the task of preparing it.
That’s exactly what happened this morning when the housemates were jolted awake by a brief demanding a beautiful brunch setup – table decorations, flowers, and most importantly, a well-thought-out menu.
But as we soon learned, brunch is a matter of perspective.
The brunch brief that broke the kitchen staff
After last night’s Friday Night Games, the kitchen staff had collectively decided that cooking was no longer their ministry. But the game stops for no one, and this morning, they were tasked with whipping up a ‘nice brunch’ using only the existing ingredients in the house. That’s when the confusion began. Nsuku, stepping up as head chef, made an executive decision: “We’re making stew”. A murmur of concern spread through the house. “Stew? For brunch?” Nate questioned, horrified at the suggestion. “That’s not brunch”. Nsuku, unshaken, laid down her philosophy: brunch is a combination of breakfast and lunch, and beef stew fits squarely in the ‘lunch’ category. The logic was sound – if brunch is a mix of two meals, then surely anything from either category should work? Right?
Brunch or just second lunch?
While Nsuku’s stew train left the station, Abobo attempted to intervene, suggesting they consider egg-based dishes, like omelettes or French toast something, anything, that resembled what the world generally considers brunch. But it was too late. The ingredients had been committed to the cause, and Mzansi’s version of brunch was about to be served, piping hot. This moment raises an important question: what does brunch actually mean to different people?
For some, brunch is a luxurious affair featuring bottomless mimosas, eggs Benedict, and overpriced avocado toast. For others, it’s a matter of convenience – a meal for people who missed breakfast but don’t want to commit to a full lunch yet. And then there’s the African household perspective, where any meal that falls outside the usual schedule is simply an opportunity to eat whatever is available. Cue umfudumezo, quickly warmed up left-overs.
Brunch across Mzansi
Brunch in South Africa is as diverse as its people. In urban areas, it’s a fashionable weekend event, complete with Instagram-worthy aesthetics and artisanal coffee. Suburban folks often treat it as an extended breakfast with home-cooked favourites like vetkoek, boerewors, and scrambled eggs. In more rural settings, however, brunch is less of an event and more of a functional in-between meal, where leftovers from breakfast might mix with an early lunch.
Throw in a few cultural differences, and you’ve got a situation where one person’s brunch is another’s supper. While the western world might expect pancakes and croissants, a South African brunch table could feature anything from pap and wors to last night’s chakalaka – because in Mzansi, we eat what’s available.
So...What is brunch?
By definition, brunch is a meal eaten late in the morning, instead of – or in addition to – breakfast and lunch. But if today’s events are anything to go by, brunch is truly whatever you want it to be. Whether you’re eating an elegant eggs royale or a hearty beef stew, as long as you’re consuming it between breakfast and lunch hours, you’ve technically nailed the assignment.
So while Nsuku’s brunch philosophy might have been unconventional, one thing is certain: Mzansi’s approach to brunch is nothing if not practical. And in a house where hunger always wins, stew at noon makes perfect sense.
Next time you hear ‘brunch,’ just ask yourself – are you hungry enough to argue, or will you simply eat whatever is on the table?
Big Brother Mzansi season 5 is broadcast live 24/7 on DStv channel 198, which you can stream here. Sunday eviction shows are at 18:00 on Mzansi Magic. To join the conversation on social media platforms, use the hashtag #BBMzansi and connect with us on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok!
Big Brother Mzansi season 5 is proudly sponsored by headline partner LottoStar and tactical partner Robertsons Spices.
