We Love ZA - World Pizza Day 2026 in South Africa
Take a slice
While I'm still confused as to why World Pizza Day would be celebrated on the 9th and not the 8th of February, I recently discovered that in Italy they celebrate World Pizza Day on the 17th of January, while the rest of the world celebrates it today.
In South Africa we have a long history of pizza chains with Debonairs Pizza probably being the first franchise to operate nationwide in the early 90s.
Roman's Pizza which was originally called Little Ceasars, entered the market shortly after. Both local brands still have a major presence throughout the country.
Other notable franchises like Pizza Hut have also been in and out of the country since the late 80s early 90s until the early 2000s, but it wasn't until 2014 when they rebranded and expanded their presence in South Africa, that they became real competitors in the pizza chain market.
Scooters Pizza had a short run in the early 2000s, and between 2014 - 2016 remaining stores were converted to Domino's Pizza, and after been closed for about 10 years have made a re-appearance with their first store opening in Melville last year and a new store opened this weekend in Rosebank. They are back with their 39 minute delivery time guarantee, which back in the early 2000's was a poke at Debonairs Pizza who aimed for a delivery time of 40 minutes or less, before they introduced the little sticker on the box that would be red if it were still hot, and black if it went cold. Both establishments policy is that if they do not deliver in the stipulated time, your pizza is free.
The Scooters Pizza stores do not carry any Halaal certification, but are said to be "Halaal Friendly" as they state to only use Halaal Certified Meat / Butchery Suppliers and macon as a topping on some pizzas, but according to some sources online the macon can be replaced with bacon - which makes the Halaal status questionable.
Nowadays you don't have to be a pizza joint to sell pizza, you can pick one up from your local supermarket or even at the convenience store in your nearest service station.
We have put together some of the places around South Africa where we have enjoyed a slice or two.
What is your go to pizza place? Let us know in the comments below, so we can try them too - Halaal only, or tag us on social media eating your favourite pizza - @ilovezacom on Instagram, Facebook, X, LinkedIn, YouTube, TikTok, Threads, UpScrolled
6 Point Pizza
Calisto's
Caminettos Pasta & Pizzeria
Col'Cacchio
Debonairs Pizza
Del Forno
Doppio Zero
Garage Cafe
Hello Tomato
J-Mo's
Pizza Hut
Pizza News
Pizza Square
Roman's Pizza
Ziyaad Plaatjes is the Co-Founder of iloveza.com & Let's Torque ZA, the Founder of the After Fajr Grind Academy, a Radio Co-Host for a youth focussed programme, Level Up, on Radio Islam International, previously a Radio Host for the longest running award-winning Motoring show in South Africa - Bumper2Bumper on Cii Radio, and a Brand South Africa Play Your Part Ambassador, who was named one of Mail & Guardian's Top 200 Young South Africans in the Arts, Entertainment, Film & Media Category.
He is a Bachelor of Commerce Honours graduate and has been running businesses since the age of 13. Ziyaad is a social media fundi and content creator, but has taken on many roles in various industries over the years. With his entrepreneurial skills and vast knowledge he assists individuals and businesses to grow and achieve their goals.
Find him at: Instagram: @ziyaad_86 / @ilovezacom / @letstorqueza / @b2bcii X: @ziyaad86 / @ilovezacom / @letstorqueza / @b2bcii Facebook: iloveza.com / Let's Torque ZA LinkedIn: Ziyaad Plaatjes / iloveza.com YouTube: iloveza.com SoundCloud: iloveza.com / Radio Islam International TikTok: @ilovezacom / @b2bcii Threads: @ilovezacom iono.fm: Bumper2Bumper Hashtags: #AfterFajrGrind #iloveza❤️🇿🇦 #LetsTorqueZA #LevelUp #B2BCii #WheresDaddyZA E-mail: ziyaad@iloveza.com
