Five-day ‘Braai Polar’ world record challenge bid
A FIRE, braai tongs and a 20-minute break every 24 hours.
That’s what Richard Knoetze will endure as he attempts to break the Guinness World record for the longest braai.
Knoetze, the current world holder at 96 hours, started his attempt at the “Braai Polar” event at the V&A Waterfront yesterday.
Knoetze has bipolar disorder, a mental illness that is characterised by severe mood swings. He was diagnosed three years ago, a process, he said, which was long and expensive. “I spent over R7 000 in one week, just trying to get diagnosed,” he said.
Knoetze then decided he needed to help raise awareness of mental illness in South Africa but specifically bipolar disorder. He established Face Bipolar, an organisation dedicated to raising awareness and creating support for those suffering from the illness.
In March, Knoetze achieved the world record for longest braai at the first Braai Polar event, and has since then wanted to better his record. “I got a bee in my bonnet and decided to go for it again.”
The event will be selling some of the food made by Knoetze and donating the rest to Elim night shelter. The funds raised will go to Face Bipolar.
Setting up his braai area, Knoetze was energetic and smiling, excited to get the event started. “I learnt a lot from last time. My fitness needed to improve, so I did some crossfit to prepare, and started eating better,” he said.
MEC for Social Development, Albert Fritz, spoke at the event, congratulating Knoetze on his achievement. He said the department was excited about the event and was looking forward to working with Knoetze on bringing more mental health awareness to the public.
Knoetze has just been appointed ambassador for the International Bipolar Foundation in South Africa, and believes South Africa is in desperate need of better mental health education: “When I was diagnosed I felt such a lack of support. We need to focus on this issue and tell people how they can get help.”
When asked how he will manage to keep going for four days, Knoetze said there was no real magic trick. “We get a 20-minute break every 24 hours, so I make sure I sleep and splash my body with water. But being bipolar, I’ve learnt how to channel my emotions. When I feel a bad episode coming on, I try channel that into positive thoughts. So it’s the same here.”
Knoetze will be cooking at the braai until Saturday morning.