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Statement
BORN: MABOPANE TOWNSHIP, SOUTH AFRICA

Growing up we used to have small bodegas—we called them “spaza shops”—in the township.

I was raised in the family business. Meat was a big thing in my family because we used to own a butchery. I remember how everyone always wanted our secret recipe for the sausage we used to sell. We called the sausage boerewors.

When I miss my parents or home, I eat one meal that I know my parents liked. There’s a great restaurant in Brooklyn, Madiba, which is just like the spaza and they sell boerewors. I find myself tearing sometimes when I’m at Madiba because they even serve their food with authentic village dishes and represent South Africa so well. It’s how this young woman overcomes missing her parents.

—Lerato Molewa

All images copyright Ellen Jacob

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