In a dietary study on a representative sample of 983 adult African men and women aged 15-64 years, resident in the Cape Peninsula, South Africa, trained professional nurses administered a 24 hour recall interview. This formed part of a cross-sectional study on the prevalence of coronary risk factors (BRISK) in this population. The macronutrient profile reflected a diet meeting the Prudent Dietary Guidelines, but low in fibre. Mean intakes of vitamins and minerals indicated a nutritionally depleted diet. Comparisons with rural African populations have revealed that the dietary intake of this urbanising study population represents a transitional phase towards a progressively atherogenic Western diet.