Mzansi made its final call. Following an electrifying day of food, music and live voting at the Windhoek Real Food Market, Mark’s Pub & Shisanyama was crowned South Africa’s Realest One-Handed Food Legend.
After weeks of nationwide voting and a final, high-energy showdown, the people have spoken – and today, Mark’s Pub & Shisanyama was awarded a R200K brand partnership, collaborating to elevate and extend the Real Beer Real Food campaign to patrons of the establishment, who’ll get to experience the brand in an authentic way.
The journey began with over 25,000 public votes, narrowing the field down to five standout finalists:
- Disoufeng – Soweto
- Chaf Pozi – Soweto
- Mark’s Pub & Shisanyama – Pretoria
- Boipelo’s Kitchen – Mobile Kitchen
- Sasko’s Kitchen – Vosloorus
These finalists captured the heart of the nation – and the attention of judges including J’Something and Coco, Benny Masekwameng and Dali Danger – before going head-to-head in a final live vote at the market.
“At its core, this competition has always been about celebrating real South African flavour and the people behind it,” says Keval Ramraj, Marketing Manager at Windhoek Beer South Africa. “Mark’s Pub & Shisanyama embodies everything the Real Beer, Real Food movement stands for – authenticity, community, and unforgettable taste. Seeing them receive their trophy today was a proud, full-circle moment.”
Launched in October 2025, the #RealBeerRealFood campaign by Windhoek Beer evolved into a nationwide celebration of South Africa’s most loved, one-handed meals – the kind of food enjoyed on the move, shared among friends, and paired perfectly with an ice-cold Windhoek. From kasi favourites to urban hotspots, South Africans rallied behind the places that mean the most to them.
The Windhoek Real Food Market brought this movement to life – a vibrant experience featuring the Top 5 finalists, alongside performances from some of the country’s top artists including Elaine, Shekhinah, Mi Casa and more.
As the campaign closes this chapter, one thing is clear: real food isn’t just about what’s on the plate – it’s about the stories, the people, and the moments that bring South Africans together.
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