The MEC for Agriculture, Mrs Lydia Johnson, has voiced her concerns about the changing patterns of food intake in various rural areas and urban areas.  It has been noted that many people are relying on manufactured products or fast food outlets because of the lack of availability of electricity and refrigeration. These products are high in calories and may be contributing towards the increase in diseases and infections, or slowing the process of recovery for people who are already sick.

“Lima has been appointed and funded by the Department of Agriculture (DOA) and the Flemish Government to produce a short film, with the services of Meyer Productions, that depicts ways of modernising traditional foods in order for the youth to find it appealing,” said KZN manager from Lima, Kathy Pitout.

Minse Modi, a facilitator at Lima, was filmed cooking traditional dishes that looked as appealing as the delicious dishes you would find in a retail store. “There are so many young people that complain about the way their parents prepare traditional food and say that it is tasteless. However, we have found cost-effective ways of bringing out the flavour,” added Minse.

The video will feature the modernised ways of cooking and then show how certain elderly ladies prepare similar meals in a more old-fashioned way. Teenagers were then asked to test and choose which meal they preferred, either the contemporary meal or the traditional one. “The teenagers chose the improved traditional meals because they were tasty. All the recipes chosen by the Department of Agriculture do not require a microwave or oven as many people in the rural areas do not have access to electricity and instead use fire,” said Zinhle Ngubane, a facilitator at Lima.

The DVD will not be distributed but instead be used for the various Food Security Projects already sponsored by the DOA and the Flemish Government. Lima facilitators will show groups of participants the film which explains how they can combine African traditional methods with westernised ones, and still maintain an inexpensive level of cooking. It is important that traditional food knowledge be kept alive, as a means of asserting cultural identity for future generations.

Meyer Productions filmed Minse Modi (left) and Zinhle Ngubane (right) from Lima, presenting the demonstrations. Guava Jam, Chunky Melon and Ginger Jam, Fruit Cocktail, Creamed Wild Vegetables and Sweet Potato Bites were all exhibited.	Nomthandazo Sibisi and Kathy Pitout from Lima, enjoy the tasty Fruit Cocktail Juice the ladies made. This vitamin filled drink consists of pawpaws, guavas, granadillas and lemon juice which is then boiled for half an hour and chilled.