Meet Okahandja’s Black Pot Queen
Serving love, laughter and legendary recipes
If you ever find yourself passing through Okahandja, chances are the aroma of a black pot bubbling on an open fire will guide you straight to Amanda Meyer’s home.At 56, the mother of two daughters and proud grandmother of four has become something of a local legend, not just for her cooking, but for the laughter and love she dishes out with every meal.
“A lady that does not smell of fire is not a lady,” Amanda chuckles, her lipstick bright red as always. She insists she never leaves the house without it: “Without my lipstick, I feel naked,” she laughs.
Amanda is known for her cooking, ironing and cleaning services, but it is her food that truly makes her unforgettable. She creates her own recipes, each with a touch of magic. Her pork head cooked in tumeric and curry, with that sweet-sour twist, is always a sell-out. Then there’s her famous potato salad, with a mysterious ingredient she refuses to reveal: “It’s my secret,” she says with a sassy wink.
On Saturdays, her black pot does more than cook - it brings people together. Neighbours and friends gather, lured not just by the smell of food, but by her jokes. “Whoever passes my house leaves with a smile, because my jokes are cooked like my pot every day,” she grins.
She has recipes for every occasion, even for hangovers: “Just drink cold sugar water and you are cured,” she promises. She is also known as a “mother of plants” and shares remedies for dogs. Her garlic-and-aloe mix is a favourite for keeping ticks away while giving dogs shiny coats.
But perhaps her most famous creation is one that raises eyebrows: donkey meat cooked with a little sour milk. Those brave enough to taste it swear by its flavour.
Amanda is more than a cook; she is a storyteller, a healer and a bringer of joy. When asked what keeps her going, Amanda smiles, stirring her pot slowly. “It’s simple. Food tastes better when you cook it with love. That is why I never run out of recipes, and I never run out of smiles.”