SUBSCRIBE
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
Health For Mzansi
  • Trending
  • My Health
  • Conversations
    • Podcast
    • Health Heroes
    • TV
  • Grow It
  • My Food
    • Nutrition
    • Recipes
No Result
View All Result
  • Trending
  • My Health
  • Conversations
    • Podcast
    • Health Heroes
    • TV
  • Grow It
  • My Food
    • Nutrition
    • Recipes
No Result
View All Result
Health For Mzansi

Mopani worms are a true South African delicacy

by Nicole Ludolph
10th September 2021
in Recipes
Reading Time: 5 mins read
A A
Mopani worms are a favorite for Chef Amanda chef Manyatshe. Photos: Supplied/Health For Mzansi.

Mopani worms are a favorite for chef Amanda Manyatshe. Photos: Supplied/Health For Mzansi

Found across the Southern African bushveld, mopani worms are a source of income for many rural families. This delicacy is also rich in nutrients and it can be enjoyed as part of many a dish. 

Known by many names in different languages, the mopani worm is considered to be one of Southern Africa’s most emblematic culinary specialities. In Xitsonga, it’s known as masonja. In Northern Sotho, it is called mašotša, and across the border in Botswana, people who speak Kalanga know it as mahonja.  

For Phuti Ngoasheng Kabasa, the owner of snack company Mopani Queens, the delicacy represents many things, including conservation and health. “[They] are very nutritious and are high in protein, dietary fibre, saturated fats and carbs. They can be incorporated as part of a healthy diet”, she says.  

Mopani Queen, Phuti Kabasa. Photo: Food For Mzansi

“Mopani worms also have a smaller carbon footprint compared to the everyday protein sources such as beef and chicken. They are gentler on the environment as they are seasonal and harvested during days of abundance (rainy season).” 

Known scientifically as Gonimbrasia belina, the mopani worm is actually a caterpillar and is named after the mopani tree, which it prefers to feed on. Mopani worms are common in semi-desert areas or bushveld, and burrows underground when winter approaches. 

Over winter, the caterpillar turns into an emperor moth, living for up to four days after transforming. 

In South Africa, the popular edible creatures are found in Limpopo and Mpumalanga. Kabasa says that, despite this, most of the best quality insects are not harvested here. “What normally happens is that rural communities don’t necessarily sell to people like me that are resellers. They sell to middlemen, who add a markup and sell to resellers. And this was made worse by the fact that the best Mopani worms are sourced from Botswana, where about 70% of our worms come from.” 

ALSO READ: Mzansi’s mopani queen has given the worms a complete facelift

Mopani worms are a great source of protein. Photo: Supplied/Health for Mzansi.
Mopani worms are a great source of protein. Photo: Supplied/Health for Mzansi

From traditional to mainstream 

Mopani worms have been a traditional African delicacy for as long as people can remember. Due to its high levels of protein and minerals, the mopani worm is considered to be an important part of the diet of rural communities. For Kabasa, this is another reason more South Africans should eat the delicacy. “Mopani worms are part of an indigenous food culture for a lot of people in Southern Africa. So, by adopting eating of Mopani worms, one helps in preserving centuries old indigenous food practice. ” 

Most harvesters in Southern Africa are rural women and children. They take the worms from the branches of the mopani trees and degut them. The worms are then washed, and cooked using water and salt, then sun-dried. Sun-dried or smoked caterpillars have a shelf life of up to one year.    

There are many people in South Africa who still balk at the idea of eating insects. Despite this, mopani worms are becoming more and more commercialised every year. According to this 2013 report, there is an estimated 9.5 billion mopani worms harvested annually in Southern Africa, with the industry valued at 85 million US dollars.  

The delicacy provides a much-needed source of income for rural families, with most selling up to 80% of their harvest yield, but as mopani worms are generally harvested from the wild, so parts of Southern Africa face the challenge of over-harvesting.  

Mopani worms are a great source of protein. Photo: Supplied/Health for Mzansi.
Chef Amanda Manyatshe. Photo: Supplied/Health For Mzansi

Give it a try! 

Mopani worms are not just limited to rural cuisine. For chef Amanda Manyatshe, they are a delicious addition to any meal. “There is absolutely nothing I dislike about it. Mopani worms are really easy to prepare. You get them dried, and you can choose to rehydrate them or enjoy them dried. It is a favourite of mine when I miss Venda or want to eat less meat.” 

Manyatshe says that, while she does not often get requests for mopani dishes, when she does, she gets to exercise her creativity. “A deterrent for some may be that they are eating a highly textural food. If you’re in your head too much, this could make for an interesting experience.”  

ALSO READ: Recipe – Make Amanda’s mopani worm pasta 

Manyatshe has the following tips for cooking mopani worms:  

  • Soak them in hot water for 10-15 minutes and clean before boiling them. This will get rid of any sand or grit that may be on them.  
  • Then boil them for another 15 minutes, change the water, then boil again for 20 minutes. Like with mogodu, you want to avoid that crunch of sand. They will be clean and rehydrated at this point so you can then either fry them up, add to a sauce or stew or salt and enjoy them plain. 
  • Add pap and morogo to the plate for a full meal. 

ALSO READ: Make the most of trotters’ secret ingredient

Nicole Ludolph

Nicole Ludolph

Related Articles

Tradition meets taste: Goat meat gets a modern twist
Nutrition

Tradition meets taste: Goat meat gets a modern twist

by Vateka Halile
1st July 2025
Meaty bones & dumplings recipe: Comfort food that nourishes
Nutrition

Meaty bones & dumplings recipe: Comfort food that nourishes

by Vateka Halile
24th June 2025

Stories

HIV and initiation: Supporting boys through cultural rites
Security fails as gangs target Eastern Cape clinics
Dr Makanya blends spiritual healing with art therapy
Canola oil: A heart-healthy choice for your kitchen
No more pain! Tackle the torment of toothaches
How smoking causes harmful bacteria in your mouth
Discover delicious, healthy dishes that will make your heart sing
Rediscover the joy of creamy pap with chicken livers
No Result
View All Result

Latest

Carnivore diet: Experts warn against meat-only madness
Nutrition

Carnivore diet: Experts warn against meat-only madness

by Vateka Halile
8th July 2025

Think you can thrive on meat alone? Think again! While some praise the carnivore diet for curbing cravings, experts warn...

Read moreDetails

Pill by pill: How addiction nearly destroyed a mother’s life

7th July 2025

Student hunger crisis spurs vital UCT intervention

4th July 2025
Enjoying the sun

Catch the morning sun for better health in winter

3rd July 2025
Achooooo! Tame winter allergies and take back control

Act fast with allergies: Anaphylaxis can be deadly

2nd July 2025
Health For Mzansi

Contact us
Office: +27 21 879 1824

News: hello@healthformzansi.co.za
Advertising: sales@foodformzansi.co.za

Awards & Impact
Privacy Policy

Cookie Policy
Copyright

Somagwaza

HIV and initiation: Supporting boys through cultural rites

cropped-scott-webb-yekGLpc3vro-unsplash.jpeg

Security fails as gangs target Eastern Cape clinics

Dr Sinethemba Makanya

Dr Makanya blends spiritual healing with art therapy

Carnivore diet: Experts warn against meat-only madness

Pill by pill: How addiction nearly destroyed a mother’s life

Student hunger crisis spurs vital UCT intervention

Catch the morning sun for better health in winter

Act fast with allergies: Anaphylaxis can be deadly

Tradition meets taste: Goat meat gets a modern twist

error: Content is protected !!
No Result
View All Result
  • Trending
  • My Health
  • Conversations
    • Podcast
    • Health Heroes
    • TV
  • Grow It
  • My Food
    • Nutrition
    • Recipes

© 2021 Health For Mzansi | Farmers For Change Pty (Ltd)

HIV and initiation: Supporting boys through cultural rites Security fails as gangs target Eastern Cape clinics Dr Makanya blends spiritual healing with art therapy Canola oil: A heart-healthy choice for your kitchen No more pain! Tackle the torment of toothaches How smoking causes harmful bacteria in your mouth Discover delicious, healthy dishes that will make your heart sing Rediscover the joy of creamy pap with chicken livers