“Pap Has Suffered”: Man Makes Pap Kota, Mzansi Shares Mixed Feelings
- A South African content creator went viral after making pap into the shape of bread for a kota, filling it with atchar and chips
- A video that earned thousands of likes left some South Africans entertained, while others were unimpressed
- A debate followed as people weighed in on whether pap should be reinvented or left as it traditionally is
South Africans had mixed reactions after a TikTok user and content creator made a pap kota, with some loving the creativity while others were not impressed.
Source: TikTok
On 22 September 2025, TikTok user @jay_ztro posted a video that had viewers talking within hours. The clip, which quickly gained over 7,400 likes and 400 comments in just 22 hours, showed him making a pap kota. Instead of using bread, he shaped pap into a quarter loaf before filling it with atchar and chips. The creative dish surprised many, though not everyone appreciated the twist on a local staple.
Pap, a traditional food in many South African homes, is often paired with meat or gravy. Seeing it turned into a kota was new for most viewers, and while some admired the creativity, others felt the dish was unnecessary. Many commented that pap should be left as it is and that the kota format belonged to bread. Still, the playful tone of the video sparked plenty of engagement.
Food experiments kept Mzansi debating online
While some viewers laughed and enjoyed the novelty, others argued that the creation took things too far. For them, pap was not meant to be reimagined in such unusual ways. The debate highlighted how strongly people feel about traditional foods and how creative experiments can sometimes clash with cultural expectations.
Despite the criticism, the viral video showed how inventive food content continues to capture attention on TikTok. By mixing humour and creativity, @jay_ztro got South Africans talking, even if not everyone wanted to try the pap kota themselves, nor understand the concept.
Source: TikTok
South Africans reacted to the video
Valentinemasekela wrote:
"Pap has been through the worst this year, yoh. 😭"
Nandi Dlodlo said:
"Don't start Zulu people like that, neh. 😳"
munyumunyu commented:
"I know Zulu people are from Zimbabwe, but I can't prove it."
Mariyana Kwenagadi️ wrote:
"La bona mazulu akere."
karabokekana057 said:
"At least you said Kwa Zulu Natal this time."
SAPS[IPOLISA] commented:
"KwaZulu-Natal ne Atchaar uyasbhedela wena. 😂"
minnievilakazi wrote:
"Why? 😭😔"
phodiso57 said:
"Pap has gone through a lot this year. 😭"
Check out the TikTok video below:
3 other Briefly News stories about pap
- A local South African woman shared a creative solution to running out of fries by turning stiff pap into fry-like strips and deep-frying them, prompting Mzansi to react.
- A self-proclaimed "Pap Rights" activist went viral on social media for his humorous video criticising the creative ways people are cooking pap.
- A woman shared a video of herself preparing a creative dish called peanut butter pap with smoked sausage, showcasing a traditional African meal with a personal twist.
Source: Briefly News
