The kota gets the Debonairs treatment and South Africans are having none of it

For many South Africans, Debonairs turning the kota into a pizza is just one step too far. A kota, a derivation of the word quarter, is a hollowed out quarter of a piece of bread. Many have compared it to the bunny chow, because it is also a loaf of bread stuffed with a variety of cheap ingredients which may include processed meats like polony and viennas. The kota is popular in many townships and rural communities around South Africa. In an interview for the April 2014 Mango inflight magazine, Johannesburg resident Vuyo Mpantsha said, “Think of the kota as an evolving township street food burger.”

Many middle-class South Africans who grew up in the townships have fond memories of the kota. For them, it is almost a rite of passage, something you have to experience as you struggle through life. For some, the kota is like pap and amagwinya, an integral part of what it means to be a black South African. So when a beloved and popular meal amongst the poor and working class is turned into a cheap commercial venture by a corporate South African food giant, it is understandable why people are outraged.

Gugulethu Mhlunghu called for the fast food chain to explain their latest creation.

And, Debonairs ended up being the most talked-about brand on Twitter in South Africa for several hours.

Most people were disgusted, accusing the fast food chain of appropriating and disrespecting black culture.

https://twitter.com/LejageTheGREAT/status/712702281427329025

 

Others pointed out that the PizzaKota is the latest in a series of unimaginative food inventions from Debonairs.

Lester KK pizza kota
Despite the criticisms, there are a few who look forward to the PizzaKota.

What do you think of this latest invention? Let us know in the comments or tweet us @thedailyvox!