BRING A TASTE OF SA INTO YOUR BACKYARD
When you mention South Africa, you immediately think about, and yearn for, the outdoors and of course a braai. Irrespective of your background, we South African’s all love gathering around our fires, braaing a sizzling steak, shisa nyama, or boerewors and sipping on a good wine or cold beer.
The braai has just arrived on your USA doorstep in the shape of a fire-pit braai from Texas Zulu! Jonathan & Robyn Hamp-Adams, founders of this exciting venture, explain where the idea came from: “We relocated with our family from our home in Johannesburg, South Africa to the United States in 2015. From our start in Chicago and ultimate arrival in Houston, Texas in 2020, it has been a dream of ours to be able to share some of the gems of the African continent with our new countrymen”. “To this day, we still own ‘a piece of Africa’ as we acquired our first 43-inch fire-pit from Keith Hamilton in Johannesburg. However, it never made it across the Atlantic. This fire-pit has brought many hours of fond memories with family and friends and is affectionately named the ‘problem solver’. Many glasses of good South African wine have been consumed, and old and new problems have been settled, around the dancing flames of this African boma.”
Jonathan says they wanted to recreate the same atmosphere at their new home in Texas but couldn’t find an equal type of pit anywhere. “Having built a well-established network of suppliers, manufacturers and global supply chain specialists over the years, we set out to find and bring not only the fire-pit, but more of the best of Africa, to the USA. With the help of two Texan friends, Jim and Kade, we imported a container of fire-pits and the journey began.”
And the rest, as they say, is history! You can now also own your own genuine South African- made pit in the USA. Jonathan says they moved to the US when the company he works for, Grundfos, offered him the opportunity to relocate. “It was a tough decision as, unlike many, we never saw leaving SA in our long-term plans. We were privileged to be given such an amazing gift for our children to have a different life experience. It has also meant that we have been able to help back home and share some of our good fortune. This was also part of the reason for starting Texas Zulu,” he explains. He is currently Grundfos’ Regional Director for the Americas, having been recently promoted from Grundfos USA President.
Like most families, Robyn is the force behind Jonathan and of course the team that created the Texas Zulu business. Their son Nicholas (23) is at Cornell University, having graduated last year from Purdue and daughter Sarah (19) is at Cal Poly. Their beagle, Emma, also relocated to the US with them.
Moving as part of a company relocation afforded them what Jonathan calls “a magic carpet ride”. “We were so fortunate to be relocated and I really admire the grit and guts of those families that tackle this adventure on their own”, he says.
“Life in the USA is so different, but also so much easier in many respects than SA. Things generally work well, and you don’t spend long hours thinking about how the external environment can have a negative impact on your family. That said, it is hard being away from the family and friends you grew up with. My daughter found high school tough going and that made it much harder for us to settle.”
After five years they have adapted well and Jonathan now even has a good pair of Texan boots and a Stetson in his cupboard. The family try to visit SA at least once a year (pre-Covid) returning to their small cottage in Kenton-on-Sea for a holiday and the beat of the African bush. Back in the USA, they love to visit the west coast of California which he calls “fantastic, spectacular and beautiful”. Jonathan comments that parts of Hawaii remind them of SA and west Texas resembles the Karoo with its dry and harsh landscape. “It’s just superb for outdoor activities”.
Contact them on www.texaszulu.com
