As a continent, it is known for going above and beyond in its attempt to expand its influence on the world – and the desire for progress has led to Africa claiming a number of official Guinness World Records over the years. Many of these records were achieved collectively and individually, however, in this article, Business Insider Africa will be highlighting some of the most amazing individual records held by Africans.
- Largest coffee sketch in the world
South African Artist, Percy Maimela, in September 2019, won a spot in the Guinness World Record after he successfully created the largest mosaic made from coffee.
The artist completed his picture on a 5×5 meter canvas, with the sheet 100% covered in ground coffee with zero negative space in order to qualify for the Guinness World Record title.
- Tuedon "Tee" Omatsola Morgan is the proud owner of multiple records.
Tuedon Morgan is the World Record holder of 2 different world records: fastest time for a woman to run a half marathon on each continent (10 days, 23 hours and 37 minutes), and fastest time for a woman to run a half marathon on each continent and the North Pole (62 days, 12 hours, 58 minutes and 49 seconds).
An accountant by profession and mother to four boys currently living in Qatar, Morgan began her record-breaking journey with a desire to change her unhealthy lifestyle.
- The oldest man to swim across the English Channel
South African heart surgeon, Otto Thanning, on September 6th, 2014, became the oldest person to swim the English Channel from Shakespeare Beach in Dover, the United Kingdom, to Wissant Bay close to Calais in France in 12 hours 52 minutes. At 73 years old, he broke the record as the most aged man from South Africa to ever swim across the English Channel.
- The most varieties of milkshakes commercially available
On February 5th, 2020, Guinness World Records declared Gibson's restaurant in Cape Town South Africa as the maker of the Most varieties of milkshakes commercially available. The milkshake restaurant offers the unique 207 varieties to satisfy every consumer.
The Gibson’s record-breaking milkshakes includes flavours such as: fat-free shakes, Chocolate Brownie, Caramel Fudge, yoghurt and frozen yoghurt shakes, Lunch Bar, Butterscotch, Peanut Butter & Crunchie, Honeycomb, Toasted Almond, Nutella & Mascarpone, Oreo Cheesecake, Malva & Custard, Chocolate Peanut Brittle, Lemon Meringue, Chocolate & Maldon Salt, Coffee & Doughnut, Crème Brûlée, Milky Bar White Chocolate, Choc Chip Cookie Dough, Chocolate Peanut Brittle, Tiramisu, Milo & Banana, Sticky Toffee Pudding, Koeksister & Maple Syrup, Caramel Waffle, Raspberry Meringue & Cream, Ferrero Rocher Supreme, Berry Explosion, Real Strawberry, Chocolate Toffee Cashew, Butter Pecan, Apple Pie & Cream, Salted Caramel and so much more...
- Largest display of origami butterflies
Juanne-Pierre a Cape Town-based artist, in December last year broke the Guinness World Record for the largest display of Origami butterflies – 29 416. The previous record – 20,266 butterflies – was held by a company in Japan that had its staff fold the butterflies. However, Juanne-Pierre individually folded each butterfly by using commercially available origami paper and it took 8 hours for a team of 5 people to complete the final count.
- The longest cooking marathon
Kenyan chef, Ms. Maliha Mohammed, currently holds the Guinness World Record for the longest time spent cooking. Chef Maliha prepared a list of 400 recipes of local and international cuisines, and cooked for 75 hours non-stop setting the new record on Sunday, August 18, 2019, at Kenya Bay Beach Resort in Mombasa.
The previous record for the longest cooking marathon was 68 hours 30 minutes 01 seconds, and was achieved by Rickey Lumpkin in Los Angeles, USA, in 2018.
Special entries: Longest FIFA Live Stream Marathon
Nigerian FIFA pro player, Daniel “Dox” Osemeudiame in May this year played for 58 hours to shatter the Guinness World Record for the Longest FIFA Live Stream Marathon.
Information about the attempt has been sent to Guinness, and at the time of writing, Dox and his fans are awaiting feedback.
Starting on 14th May, Daniel "Dox" Osemeudiame took on the massive task of breaking Christopher Cook's record. Mr Cook played FIFA 15 for 48 hours, 49 minutes and 41 seconds back in 2014. Daniel "Dox" Osemeudiame continued to play FIFA for another 10 hours after he broke the Guinness World Record because he wants to stay on top for as long as possible.
