There are thousands upon thousands of Guinness World Records that have been achieved. Of course, a majority of them fall in the realms of unusual – if not outright bizarre.
In South Africa, we’re no strangers to setting or breaking records. And the odder they are, the better!
WEIRD AND WONDERFUL RECORDS
Let’s explore eight of these quirky homegrown feats:
1. LONGEST SAUSAGE ROLL
On 25 June 2005, King Pie in Faerie Glen, Pretoria cooked their way into the record books by constructing a sausage roll measuring 111.11 metres. Talk about a momentous mouthful!
2. LONGEST LINE OF LOLLIPOPS
Short and sweet? More like long and sweet! Thanks to volunteers from the National Sea Rescue Institute, they achieved the record for the longest line of lollipops in Durban on 6 August 2022.
To do this, they laid out 11 602 in a snaking formation on the city’s beach boardwalk.
3. MOST CHICKEN FEET EATEN IN ONE MINUTE
Vuyolwethu Simanile was one of five participants who attempted this record at the Mashamplanes Lounge, Chesterville, on 5 August 2022. Incredibly, she managed to eat 121 grams of chicken feet in one minute – that’s nearly twice as much as her fellow competitors!
4. LARGEST COLLECTION OF NAIL CLIPPERS
When it comes to collecting nail clippers, Andrè Ludwick of Parys, Free State, is a cut above the rest.
Ludwick is listed as possessing the world’s largest collection of nail clippers. His collection, which began in 1971, consists of 505 nail clippers, including a handmade clipper made in 1935!
5. MOST BALLET KICKS
On 5 March 2005, Jeanne-Carlin Cilliers performed 1 199 continuous grand battements, alternating legs, at a Virgin Active Club in Kimberley. A grand battement requires extending one’s leg off the floor past 90 degrees, usually quickly and multiple times. So, Cilliers showcased remarkable stamina and control to pull these kicks – and this record – off.
6. LARGEST COLLECTION OF DEADPOOL MEMORABILIA
Gareth Pahliney, who now lives in Cloghan, Ireland, is probably the world’s biggest Deadpool fan. So much so, he’s rocking 4 250 pieces of Deadpool memorabilia in his collection.
This treasure trove dedicated to the Marvel superhero – which includes Funko pop dolls, figurines, clothing, rare comic books and a life-statue of Deadpool – was officially recognised by Guinness on 3 December 2025.
7. LONGEST UNDERWATER KISS
This record takes our breath away – the longest underwater kiss clocks in at a whopping four minutes and six seconds!
South African free diver Beth Neale and her Canadian beau, Miles Cloutier, achieved this feat at a Maldives resort’s infinity pool on 4 February 2023.
8. MOST PEOPLE RESCUED AT SEA BY HORSE
This one may sound like a headscratcher, but it’s actually true… and tragic.
On 1 June 1773, a dairy farmer named Woltemade Woltemade rode his horse, Vonk, to the beach in Table Bay, Cape Town. A Dutch ship named De Jonge Thomas was wrecked on a sandbar, and survivors – not close enough to shore – were still clinging to wreckage.
Using Vonk’s tail as a makeshift tow rope, Woltemade managed to rescue 14 men who had to jump off the ship to reach the tail. It was an exhausting endeavour, though, as it required seven tows to the shore. The farmer and his horse were swamped by six other men that jumped into the water, leading to their collective demise.
So far, no one has broken this record, though it’s certainly not one we’re rushing to break anytime soon.
WEIRD AND WONDERFUL RECORDS
As you can see, folks, South Africans have a knack for turning the extraordinary into world-recognised records.
Which ones should we explore next? Sound off in the comments below, folks!