World's Biggest Braai: 2 436 Stand Together at Loftus, But Guinness Demands Proof
On Heritage Day, thousands of South Africans gathered at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria with one mission: to braai together and break a world record. The turnstiles counted 2 436 participants, short of the 3 000 target, and now the fate of the attempt rests with Guinness World Records, which is reviewing inconsistencies in the official paperwork.
This is the second year running that Big Save has organised the World's Biggest Braai, and the stakes are high. Last year's attempt failed because participants moved between stations during the five-minute window. This year, the organisers say, everyone held their ground. But the Guinness adjudicator has flagged problems with the steward forms, and the final verdict is still pending.
Why did the turnout fall short of 3 000?
The organisers point to the Hola Half Marathon, which took place in Pretoria on the same day. Road closures and traffic diversions rerouted or delayed many would-be participants, with some arriving only after the official braai had begun.
Dylan Jardim, Big Save's head of marketing, said the turnstile count of 2 436 was accurate. Still, the lower number did not stop the festival from drawing a crowd later in the day. By the time the concert started, close to 4 000 people had entered the gates.
What went wrong with the steward forms?
The Guinness adjudicator raised concerns about inconsistencies in how some stewards counted and recorded participants. Jardim said the organisers spoke to the adjudicator on Friday morning and are now working through the forms with the stewards who completed them.
Additional evidence, including drone footage, has been approved for submission to Guinness World Records. Jardim expects a response within the next week or so.
“The record attempt is still under final verification,” Jardim said.
What changed from last year's failed attempt?
In 2025, the attempt fell apart because participants moved between braai stations during the official five-minute period. Guinness rules require everyone to remain at their allocated station for the full duration.
This year, Jardim said, the crowd understood the mission.
“Everyone was a dream this year. They knew their mission, and we all stood still for those five minutes, myself included. The goal was clear, and we executed it flawlessly.”
Why does the braai matter for South African identity?
Beyond the record, the event carries cultural weight. Braai is a tradition that cuts across race and class in South Africa, a rare shared space in a country still healing from apartheid's divisions. For many, the attempt was as much about claiming that heritage as it was about the numbers.
Jardim described the atmosphere at Loftus as “electric” and said Big Save intends to make the World's Biggest Braai an annual Heritage Day fixture.
“There really is nothing like it. Braai is so culturally significant in this country, regardless of your background, that it's something we will continue to do year in and year out.”
When will Guinness announce the verdict?
The final decision depends on the verification process and the additional evidence submitted. Jardim said the team at Guinness will review the material and respond within the next week or so. Until then, the record remains pending, and the organisers are left waiting.
For a country that has learned to be patient through long struggles, a week is nothing. But for those who stood at their braai stations, holding still for five minutes, the wait feels personal.