As oppression, violence and poverty festered in South Africa during apartheid, disinvestments and sanctions further stifled the country's culinary output. However, shebeens situated in urban townships served as loci of solidarity and resistance, especially for black South Africans who pursued their cultural and culinary traditions to preserve their heritage and cultivate community ties. Following the end of apartheid, South African cuisine witnessed a renaissance, with diverse culinary options available in most of the country's major cities catering to tourists, expatriates and locals alike.