"You've Gone Too Far": Woman’s Avocado Pap Tutorial Leaves Mzansi Stunned

• A TikTok creator left social media buzzing after she shared her step-by-step tutorial of cooking pap with an unusual twist
• Many people admitted they were shocked by her bold choice, while others said it was just another example of how food can be used creatively
• The clip sparked mixed reactions, with some laughing off the idea while others questioned why anyone would dare change such a staple dish
• Briefly News reached out to Nompumelelo Nkosi, a professional chef, and chef Kamohelo Moyaba, known as Chef Zoey for their thoughts on the avocado pap tutorial

South Africans were left divided after a viral video showed a woman cooking pap in a way few expected, sparking mixed reactions.

Even the most familiar dishes can spark debate when someone dares to put a twist on them. One TikTok creator recently did just that, challenging South Africans’ expectations of a traditional favourite and leaving food lovers both curious and divided.

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A TikTok creator has left social media buzzing after she shared her unusual take on pap by adding avocado into the mix. The video, posted by TikTok user @harppiness on 2 September 2025, racked up more than 9,000 likes and over 2,400 comments within just a few hours, showing just how much attention the dish attracted.

In the clip, Happy demonstrated her step-by-step method, starting with boiling water at high heat before adding maize meal. But the real shocker came when she blended avocado into the mix, turning the traditional dish a bright shade of green.

Food experiment or pap disaster?

The creative twist left many viewers in disbelief, with some intrigued and others completely against the idea. Pap holds a special place in South African households, making the avocado addition feel like a bold experiment on a beloved staple.

While some people admitted they would never try it, others said food is all about experimenting and pushing boundaries. The video quickly became one of those viral moments where everyone wanted to have their say, whether they were cheering on the innovation or calling it a cooking disaster. The clip proved how food content can spark major conversation, more especially on pap, which is a dish in most South African homes.

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Nompumelelo acknowledged that South Africans are often very protective of traditional foods. She explained that people tend to think food should remain fixed, but she believes it should be more personal and flexible. She said:

“South Africans are protective of traditional foods because they think things like food should be a one-size-fits-all, and it’s not. Food can be whatever you want it to be, especially if it’s going to be eaten by you.”

Nompumelelo also welcomed the idea of experimenting with flavours, saying the avocado pap recipe was simply a playful take on two favourites. She said:

“It’s definitely a fun twist. If you’re a pap lover and an avo lover, why wouldn’t you want to explore both for fun?”

She added that clinging too tightly to tradition can hold the food industry back. She said:

“We are delaying our growth in food spaces by wanting things to be how we found them, when there’s an option to make it different to fit your taste buds.”

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Chef Zoey emphasised the cultural weight of pap as a traditional South African dish. He pointed out that it carries skills and memories passed down through generations. He said:

“Pap is one of South Africa’s traditional food items. It carries memories and skills passed down between generations. Introducing different ingredients makes it seem less culturally rooted.”

Chef Zoey acknowledged that creativity in food is valuable, but stressed that it should not come at the expense of heritage. He said:

“It is a good thing to be creative and expressive, but when it comes to traditional food, it is important to respect the history and true meaning behind it.”

For him, food is also cultural expression and identity. He said:

“Traditional food, or food originating within a country such as South Africa, is a form of expression of our culture. South Africans use it to identify their heritage, and it helps us keep in touch with indigenous practices.”

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Mzansi reacted to the video

Khensy wrote:

"Dikgomo otlo di bona skupung sewe sa nkomasi fela shem! 😩"

Mpumelelo Goge said:

"Fuji help help."

Zstar wrote:

"Fuji, we got another one."

Onkabetsoe M said:

"Wena otlo nyela watseba, literally. 😭"

Leegones wrote:

"Don't let them stop you, stop yourself."

Mika_Sam said:

"Make a video eating it. 😭"

ᏦᎷ🌸 asked:

"Nkomasi ke gravy? 😭"

bonolodave wrote:

"Imagine coming back from work to this. 🤣✋"

Check out the TikTok video below:

3 Briefly News stories about pap recipes

• A self-proclaimed 'Pap Rights' activist has gone viral on social media for his humorous video criticising the creative ways people are cooking pap.
• A local woman shared a creative solution to running out of fries by turning stiff pap into fry-like strips and deep-frying them.
• A video of pap burgers on TikTok had Mzansi debating whether the twist on the local staple was genius or a step too far.

Source: Briefly News