Pilchards n Pap: How Tito Mboweni became the Minister of Lucky Star'

Tito Mboweni is more than just South Africa's eccentric Minister of Finance, he's also an acclaimed foodie, famous for his signature dish of Lucky Star pilchards and pap.

Lucky Star, arguably one of South Africa's favourite canned fish producers, has, eventually, recognised Mboweni's extra-ministerial capabilities. On Monday afternoon, Lucky Star, through its Twitter account, asked a poignant question; who dished it better?

Lucky Star pilchards: Who dished it better?Who dished it better @ThaboBluebird with the Lucky Star Kota or @tito_mboweni with the classic Lucky Star and Pap? #LuckyStarSA pic.twitter.com/tKw4W9nbih

Lucky Star (@LuckyStarSA) June 10, 2019 The two culinary combatants, SABC3 presenter, Thabo Mafisa and minister Tito Mboweni, both vying for top honour amongst Lucky Star fanatics. Mafisa prepared a Lucky Star Kota, which, as far as we can tell, is somewhere between a half-bunny and a Gatsby, while Mboweni went with a classic; pilchards and pap.

While the victor is still to be decided, Mboweni's fervent fan base - which includes celebrities and politicians alike - has been vocal in support of the Finance Minister's cooking. In fact, it's Mboweni's love for Lucky Star pilchards - and his penchant for openly displaying his culinary prowess' which have made him somewhat of a proudly South African meme.

Soon after Lucky Star tagged Mboweni on Twitter, social media was inundated with images of canned pilchards baring the minister's face as its logo.

Mboweni gets support for his ANC comradesSha sha pic.twitter.com/HWV8J33SIS

Thuso (@ramalokot) June 10, 2019 Mboweni, who has now received the Lucky Star seal-of-approval, was lauded by fellow African National Congress (ANC) comrades, specifically, the new Minister of Transport, Fikile Mbalula, who voted in favour of his colleague's pilchards and pap. Mafisa replied:

You are bias sir we should have a show down with Uncle Tito! That's the only way to resolve this.

It s obvious pic.twitter.com/BUVHqjlk8R

Faith damba (@Faith70478143) June 10, 2019 While Mboweni has embraced his new found fame as the informal face of Lucky Star, the minister has been clear that his pilchard preferences do not represent those of the ANC or the Cabinet, saying, on the topic of yet another culinary concoction:

Lucky Star stew! I have no relationship with them but enjoy the fish.

Tags: South AfricaTito MboweniTwitter

LINK:	https://www.thesouthafrican.com/offbeat-news/tito-mboweni-lucky-star-p...
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