Very much a local delicacy, yes. The pronounciation could be better explained as "vet" sound like jet, but with soft V, and "koek" sounds exactly like cook. Literal translation is fatty (oily) cake. Like a donut without the hole, and various fillings (but typicaly mince), deep fried until not-quite-crispy, but the dough is cooked through.
(Rumbling Bear rumbled on, Fri 27 May 2011, 15:52, 1 reply)

if you want amazing vetkoek,
Cadiz in Loop Street does one filled with chicken and mushroom that is jizz-worthy.
(Tiktock Beating off flamers with a shitty stick, Thu 2 Jun 2011, 8:40, closed)