The end of the year is looming and there's no better way to wind down the end of 2015 than by enjoying the great outdoors at some of our most iconic shisa nyamas. Shisa nyama is a Zulu term, directly translated as ''burn the meat", that describes a place where South Africans come together to indulge and socialise with boozing and braaiing. It's the way townships draw city dwellers, getting people of all walks of life to relax and make friends in a laid-back setting. Shisa nyamasare considered by many to be our nation's favourite braai spots.Popular for hosting tourists and TV personalities, Mzoli's in Gugulethu, Cape Town, is one of the best looking shisa nyamas. Customers get the feeling of the kasi (township) vibe at Mzoli's with its open shack design and plastic chair and table decor while they enjoy grilled meat and dance to live local bands.At the heart of Orlando in Soweto, one of South Africa's oldest townships, is popular shisa nyama Chaf Pozi, which means ''our secret place".With its up-market shebeen-style, the shisa nyama is nestled at the foot of the Orlando Towers. If you're up for more than a drink, head to the top of the towers to bungee jump.The Mashilwane brothers, Ngwato and Fitz, opened Mash Braai House in Bryanston with the idea of bringing traditional food closer to the people of Johannesburg's northern suburbs - the name of their place is a shortening of their surname.Now the place has become the "it" spot for Sunday ''chillas".They serve unprocessed slaughtered chicken, sheep heads and tripe, but the venue is also a popular launching pad for ''novice" African-style food eaters.Shisa nyamas have become hot spots for watching the game and hanging out with friends while sipping on beer or wine.Whether it is Street Corner in Bloemfontein or Centurion Shisanyama or the Vaal Midcorner and Kwa Max in Durban, shisa nyamas offer classic good times to get the suburbs into the townships...