Description
Beauty is the amazing Xhosa housekeeper at
Impangele Guest House, Swellendam. A traditionally built lady, mother of two daughters, Nossi and Nolli, and wife to Simon, she works hard at keeping Amanda and David (the owners of Impangele) in order. They came from UK, and to put it in Beauty's words: "They don't know nothing about how to have a maid - I have to tell them when they must shout at me!' Beauty has a great sense of humour, loves kids and is writing a book about her experiences at Impangele. Her latest business venture is to cook Xhosa banquets for guests staying at Impangele. Amanda was highly amused when Beauty came to ask her for recipes for traditional Xhosa food. "How am I supposed to know! What do you eat when you all get together for family occasions and celebrations? That will be traditional food, won't it?
"We always have Kentucky Fried Chicken!" came the reply.
When Beauty realised that Samp and Beans,
Mfino spinach, pumpkin, squash, sweet potato, chicken, mutton stew cooked in a black pot over the fire, and other such delights were all that was required to create a meal that Europeans would consider unusual - her confidence grew, and the resulting banquet turned into a never to be forgotten feast. She was keen to provide
Smileys (boiled sheeps' heads) and
Walkie - Talkies (chicken feet and beaks in batter) but spoilsport Dave thought that guests might find that a bit too exotic. It didn't stop him turning a hand to making traditional Xhosa beer, which everybody found to be absolutely disgusting, but Beauty took it all back home to celebrate the success of her venture.
Her banquets have become well known in the area now, and although Impangele Guest House does not normally serve evening meals, not only guests but also locals in Swellendam frequently ring to 'Book a Banquet.' Strangely though, no takers for the beer!
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