“Maize Meal Companies Are Afraid of You”: Pap Salad With a Twist Divides Mzansi

• A TikTok video showing pap salad sparked debate as South Africans reacted to the unusual twist on the country’s staple dish
• A viral food post divided viewers, with some praising creativity while others said pap should not be tampered with
• A familiar conversation resurfaced online after a woman posted yet another pap experiment, turning the staple into salad form

South Africans reacted strongly to a viral pap salad recipe, with many defending the tradition of pap as a staple dish while others debated whether creative twists should be welcomed or rejected.

When it comes to food, few things stir as much passion as pap, a staple in many South African homes. On 4 September 2025, TikTok creator @harppiness_ shared a new take on the dish that quickly went viral, earning more than 1,800 likes and over 400 comments within a day. Her recipe turned pap into a salad, but not everyone was happy about the transformation.

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In the video, she rolled pap into small balls, fried them until golden, and then mixed them with vegetables such as green peppers, onions, tomatoes, and broccoli. To finish, she added mayonnaise and crumbled feta cheese. While some praised the creativity and freshness of the idea, others were quick to point out that pap is a beloved comfort food that doesn’t need such alterations.

A different take on a staple meal

This wasn’t her first attempt at reinventing the traditional dish. Followers noted that she has previously shared other experimental pap recipes, sparking debates each time. For many, pap represents more than just food; it’s a symbol of family, tradition, and shared meals, which made the idea of turning it into a salad difficult to accept.

What stood out most wasn’t just the recipe but the conversation it created. Some viewers applauded the creativity, saying it’s exciting to see traditional foods reimagined, while others firmly believed pap should remain unchanged. The back-and-forth showed how deeply connected people feel to their cultural staples, proving that even one cooking video can spark meaningful discussions about tradition, identity, and food innovation.

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Mzansi reacted to the pap salad

NT-tshepi wrote:

"Fuji needs to see this. 😭"

Makabongwe commented:

"My sister likwenzeni ipapa kanti? 🤷🏻"

Ma'Gcaba. said:

"Sowuyangi stress sis. 😭"

Fifi commented:

"Waze wasilimaza emoyeni shame."

Téndii Mlambo said:

"Maybe ngikhulumiswa yindlala, but I would totally eat this. 😭"

Thabo Thinane wrote:

"We need to see you eat all these dishes that you cook!"

Miss Jacobs wrote:

"I don't believe this gets eaten. 😩"

uDlamini commented:

"I’m waiting for igwinya le papa. 😔"

Check out the TikTok video below:

3 other Briefly News stories about pap recipes

• 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 self-proclaimed 'Pap Rights' activist went viral on social media for his humorous video criticising the creative ways people are cooking pap.
• A TikTok creator left social media buzzing after she shared her step-by-step tutorial of cooking pap added with avocado.

Source: Briefly News