08/06/2026
🧡 Happy National Best Friend Day! 🧡
Today we’re celebrating the ultimate mutual bestie we all share as Saffas:
Mrs Amelia Ball
No, not “H.S.” - more on that in a second!
The story begins in 🇿🇦 way back in the early 1900s with Amelia Ball, a member of a farming family who had a massive talent for creating bold, balanced flavours.
Using her culinary prowess, she developed a chutney recipe, which perfectly combined sweet, tangy, and savoury notes. She also had a particular gift for preserving fruit and blending spices long before modern production made it easier.
As her chutney grew in popularity, it was eventually brought to market under the name “Mrs H.S. Ball” - a reflection of the era’s convention of using a husband’s initials. (H.S. stood for “Herbert Saddleton.”)
While the name stuck, the flavour and legacy were all Amelia.
From those humble family beginnings, Mrs Ball’s Chutney went on to become a pantry staple spanning generations, becoming the best friend who always shows up at the table, whether it’s with a curry, a cheese board, or a braai favourite…
So here’s to our mutual bestie:
Mrs A. Ball
That’s right — We’re officially calling for a rebrand! 😁
