Steve Barker is embracing life in Tanzania — both on and off the pitch — after recently visiting a popular street food hotspot likened to Johannesburg’s KwaMai-Mai.
Currently in charge of Simba SC, Barker got a taste of local culture during a team-building outing in Dar es Salaam, where he and his squad visited the famous meat hub known as Zakhar Halava.
Much like KwaMai-Mai in Joburg, the venue is a bustling attraction where locals and tourists gather for freshly prepared meat and an authentic cultural experience.
A video shared by Simba SC captured the moment, with the caption: “This place is all about meat, from start to finish.”
But Barker’s experience in Tanzania goes beyond food — it’s the passion of the fans that has truly stood out.
The former Stellenbosch FC coach compared Simba’s massive following to that of Kaizer Chiefs, noting how the club dominates support wherever they play.
“I always hated playing Chiefs away and feeling like it was their home game,” Barker joked. “Now I’m experiencing the same thing here.”
According to Barker, Simba enjoy overwhelming backing across the country, often turning every fixture into what feels like a home match.
“Wherever we play, 90% of the crowd is Simba fans. It’s incredible,” he added. “It’s exciting to see how much the team means to the people and to be part of that.”
From electric atmospheres in stadiums to vibrant street culture, Barker’s Tanzanian journey is proving to be as rich off the field as it is on it.