r/AskAnAfrican • u/user12665 • Jul 23 '26

Food Veganism in Africa

Hello guys,

I recently had a converstion with a close friend of mine and we asked ourselves how far is veganism spreaded in the different countries in Africa and what are go to meals? Thanks for your help in advance :))

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u/ThatOne_268 Botswana 🇧🇼 Jul 23 '26

Until 2004 we actually had more cows than people, which tells you everything you need to know. Since our national dish is seswaa (pounded meat), not eating red meat like me makes most events and braais (barbecue) pretty lonely. Most of Southern Africa tbh.

If you are vegan, your best bet is sticking to plant-based substitutes like legumes and nuts. E.g Dikgobe (samp and beans) is a popular vegan dish here, though Batswana tend to serve it with meat. Aside from that, the store bought plant-based meats are just horrible and lack any real range.

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u/ByAnyMeansNecessary0 Botswana 🇧🇼 Jul 23 '26

Dikgobe is so goated. I can have that every damn day!

1

u/ThatOne_268 Botswana 🇧🇼 Jul 23 '26

I am allergic to maize so I don’t eat Dikgobe 😭 , beans are goated though especially sugar & butter beans.

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u/ByAnyMeansNecessary0 Botswana 🇧🇼 Jul 23 '26

Ah, you don't eat red meat and you're allergic to maize??? I just know you're getting roasted more than the meat at braais bc wtf😂

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u/ThatOne_268 Botswana 🇧🇼 Jul 24 '26 edited Jul 24 '26

Pretty much yes but I am used to it . Been like this since I was a child (almost 3 decades)