A braai is a social gathering for friends and family - a tradition that will never die as it's in the blood of every South African. It's the one thing South Africans can do that no other nation in the world does as well.

Hot summers, mild winters or rainy days will never diminish the quantity of braaivleis (BBQ) fires being lit around South Africa. South Africans love their braais and pap - preferably before or after a rugby match.

The wood has to be packed into a pyramid and either newspaper or firelighters are added to help the fire burn. After the men have lit up the fire, they stand around waiting for the coals to be just perfect - with a beer or Klipdrift and coke in hand. It's a tradition. Not a single woman will be in the group - all women would be in the kitchen making salads, sauce and pap (porridge).

The aroma of the braai fills the air when the meat is put on the fire. The coals hiss as the marinate splashes onto it. Salt gets added and the waiting for the perfect braaied steak begins... (Apparently its an art to braai something to perfection!)

As soon as all the food is cooked and braaied everyone gathers around to be part of the feast. It's always first the meat, then the pap, then the sauce and lastly as an afterthought, the salad.

After the braai everyone sits around the fire catching up till late with drinks in hand. Good friends, good times, great braais.

It doesn't matter what type of South African you are, if you were born here, you braai. That is a fact. It is rumored that you are born with a braai thong in hand, that is how deep the tradition runs.

A braai is truly a South African tradition.

PS. National Braai Day is celebrated around South Africa on the 24th September.