Since former President Nelson Mandela won election in South Africa, many changes have occurred in the country. Now, embraced by the rest of the free world, this once economically troubled country is on the upswing.
Recognized as global players, South Africa's (SA) food and beverage companies are considered a financial backbone in this country. Big plans are in the making to expand the export divisions of these companies. A total of 1,900 companies produce a variety of food products, including spice mixes, herb blends, prepared entrees, desserts and wines—all completely unfamiliar to most Americans because of SA's past political climate. Now, many companies are bursting at the seams with hopes of their goods arriving on the shores of America. South African cuisine is hard to describe, because its foods are as diverse as the nine regions that compose this 300-year-old country.