If there’s one thing the Smith family of Centurion knows how to do, it’s light a fire - literally and figuratively. For the past 25 years, Anton and Lizel Smith have been dishing up more than just boerie and chops on their legendary Braai Night Wednesdays - they’ve been serving connection and conversation in a world that’s always rushing off to the next thing. Their motto: A family that braais together, stays together.
It all started in 1999 when their second daughter, Kirsten, was born. Overwhelmed by their busy lives but determined to stay close, the couple declared Wednesday nights sacred: One evening a week to press pause on the chaos and focus on what truly mattered - each other and their daughters.
“Initially, it was a way to force ourselves to be present,” says Anton. “Life was busy - still is - but one night a week, we braai.”
Through the birth of a third daughter, teething, teenage mood swings, exams, boyfriends, career moves and now grandparenthood, the Smiths’ midweek fire still crackles with laughter, stories and the scent of sizzling meat.
The girls - Kara (29), Kirsten (26), and Melissa (24) - have grown up, but the tradition has grown with them. In fact, the torch - or should we say, the tongs - has officially been passed on. “These days, it’s generally the girls who run the show,” Anton says proudly. Now, Kara’s husband, Derrick, and their 18-month-old bundle of joy are regulars. “My grandchild’s obsessed with the flames,” Anton chuckles. “We’ve officially gone next-generation.”
When Anton once dared to miss a Wednesday due to a work commitment, the ladies in his life weren’t having any of it. “My chops were properly busted,” he admits.
Braai master duties currently rest with Kirsten’s fiancé, Stefan, who has an arsenal of braais at his disposal - from big and small kettle braais to a high-tech gas Weber, a built-in braai, a smoker and a traditional stand-alone braai. But when it comes to the fuel of choice? “Always wood when we’re doing it old school,” Anton insists.
And the food? It’s about more than just meat. Each couple rotates the responsibility of side dishes. “We try to keep it fresh and interesting,” Anton says. “But honestly, the food’s just an excuse - the real feast is the company.” At Braai Night, the family sits down together at a big table, and while the braai grows cold, the conversation heats up.
The Smiths’ tradition has become something of a legend. “Our friends started copying us, and their friends started copying them, and now we get photos from all over of people braaiing everything from steak to bananas,” says Anton. “Some even just pitch up on a Wednesday. Great for the vibe, not so much for my wine collection!”
For Anton, who serves on multiple boards, Wednesdays from 17:00 are strictly off limits. “Everyone knows - don’t try to call me. It’s Braai Night.” This doesn’t mean the Smiths pack away the grid after midweek. “We’re weekend braaiers too,” he says.
