NikNaks

Maize sustains us as a (South African) nation. Mielie meal or pap is an obvious example, but another less spoken about one is that of maize chips sold at station kiosks or school tuck shops. To someone with not much money these chips mean an instant upliftment of carbs and salt for about R1. They keep children and adults alike going after a long day. For the people who sell them they provide a relatively easy, albeit meagre, source of income.

 This phenomenon struck me the other day when I was buying a packet of niknaks at Claremont station and saw mountains of these bulk packets stacked on a shelf behind the counter. This foodstuff may only be maize (most probably GM) and pure MSG, but it is one that provides a source of instant comfort.