Definition of "mealie"

The wants of a native living with his tribe and cultivating mealies or Kafir corn are confined to a kaross (skin cloak) or some pieces of cotton cloth.

1897, James Bryce, Impressions of South Africa‎, page 90

At the other end of the veranda, on two deck-chairs planted side by side and looking away over the bush and the mealie fields, were Mr. Quest and Mr. Van Rensberg […]

1952, Doris Lessing, Martha Quest, Panther, published 1974, page 8

My mother planted and harvested her own mealies.

1994, Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom, page 10