"Give Pap a Break": South African Man Launches Petition to Save Traditional Dish from Experiments

• A South African man has launched a humorous petition to "save pap" from what he sees as unnecessary culinary experimentation, sparking a lively debate online
• The petition is a response to creative pap recipes, including pap cupcakes, which the man believes disrespect the traditional dish's classic form
• The video has generated a range of reactions, with some supporting the petition and others celebrating the creativity of transforming traditional foods into new and innovative dishes

A South African man has sparked an online buzz after launching a light-hearted petition calling on people to “save pap” from what he believes is unnecessary culinary experimentation.

Man starts petition to save pap

In a humorous video circulating on social media, the man, based in Cape Town and known by the TikTok handle @eman717, begins by addressing his audience with mock seriousness, saying:

“To whom this may concern, I am gonna hold your hands when I say this, give pap a break today.”

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Pap, a traditional staple made from maize meal, is a beloved part of South African cuisine, typically served alongside meat, gravy, or vegetables. However, in recent years, it has been used in increasingly unconventional recipes. The man expressed his disapproval of these modern twists, singling out a particular creation that seemed to push him over the edge.

“Guys, pap cupcakes? No. Please, give pap a break today,” he pleaded, shaking his head.

He stressed that the dish should be appreciated in its classic form, describing the latest experimental takes as simply “enough.”

His petition, while humorous in tone, has struck a chord with many South Africans who feel that traditional foods should be preserved and respected. Social media users flooded the comments with both support and playful counterarguments. Some agreed that pap should remain a savoury dish enjoyed at family gatherings, while others celebrated the creativity of transforming it into sweet or gourmet options.

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The video, posted on August 11, 2025, has since been widely shared on social media, with some viewers even suggesting other “culinary crimes” that deserve petitions of their own. Whether the campaign will have any impact on the rise of inventive pap recipes remains to be seen, but one thing is clear, the debate over how far traditional foods can be reinvented is far from over.

For now, the @eman717’s message is simple: “Let pap be pap.”

Watch the funny video below:

SA reacts to the man pap petition

People in South Africa shared their take on the woman turning pap into fries as they flooded the comments section, saying:

Aisha Mohamed said:

"First pap fries, now pap cupcakes."

Crochet by Tere added:

"I wish pap could advocate for itself; it’s been through too much this year."

Abby Abs shared:

"Justice for pap."

Madiwakatshana wrote:

"The cupcakes were out of order!"

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Awande Madiba stated:

"I thought you were joking."

To which the guy responded by saying:

"Not at all, pap is suffering, guys."

Raçhel_8 commented:

"Mind you, pap cupcakes flavoured with MILO yho."

More on pap stories, Briefly News

• A South African woman has sparked outrage online after showcasing her unusual take on a local staple, pap, which she turned into pap cupcakes.
• A local woman has left Mzansi, both stressed and amused, after revealing her unconventional solution to running out of fries, and she sure made a plan, which she showcased in a video.
• A self-proclaimed “Pap Rights” activist has Mzansi in stitches after releasing a hilarious video calling for the end of what he describes as the “abuse of pap."

Source: Briefly News