PRETORIA, Gauteng — South Africa’s capital city transformed into a massive culinary hub this Heritage Day as the Pretoria braai event attempted the Guinness World Record for the largest simultaneous barbecue. Thousands of enthusiastic participants gathered at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, hoping to turn the national holiday—informally known as Braai Day—into a historic global milestone.
The ambitious event, presented by Big Saves, aimed to shatter the current record set in Japan in 2023, which saw 2,220 people grilling at the exact same time. Event organizers set their sights on 3,000 participants to beat the previous mark by a comfortable margin of 800 people. According to official turnstile counts, 2,436 people successfully entered the stadium, putting them well on track to claim the title.
This year’s attempt was a redemption of sorts. During a previous effort, the record fell short due to logistical hurdles and the famously lively nature of the attendees. Dylan, a spokesperson for the event, explained that last year’s participants were disqualified because they were too busy dancing, hugging, and mingling rather than remaining in their designated spots.
“We are back for vengeance today,” Dylan stated, emphasizing the need for strict adherence to the rules while celebrating the unique cultural vibe of cooking around a fire. “There’s something very cultural and social about cooking around a fire that a lot of other countries don’t seem to have… this is something that is so uniquely South African.”
To ensure official certification, the official Guinness World Records adjudicator outlined strict guidelines for the attempt. Every participant was required to barbecue simultaneously for a minimum of five continuous minutes.
“Anyone who leaves during that duration will be disqualified,” the adjudicator noted, adding that over 100 stewards were placed at each station to verify participation. Crucially, the adjudicator also emphasized a zero-waste policy, mandating that all the sizzling meat must be consumed after the attempt.
Despite the strict rules, the scorching Pretoria afternoon quickly evolved into a vibrant social gathering. With braai stands fully equipped with prepped coal and cool drinks on ice, participants enjoyed the food, games, and music long after the official five-minute window closed. Beyond the record-breaking ambitions, the massive barbecue carried a charitable heart. The event’s food relief component is tied to an initiative aiming to provide 1 million meals across South Africa, aligning the celebration of heritage with vital community support.
While the turnstile numbers and steward statements strongly indicate a successful record-breaking feat, the final verdict remains pending. The Guinness adjudicator confirmed that the evidence and steward reports require thorough consolidation and review. Although a final declaration could be made immediately, the official confirmation of the world’s biggest braai is expected by next week at the latest.
