CAPE MALAY COOKING QUEEN TELLS OF CANCER BATTLE
CAPE Malay cookbook author and chef Fatima Sydow has expressed her gratitude for the love and support she received during her radiation therapy for cancer.
While undergoing the gruelling seven-week treatment, Sydow continued to share her cooking videos online.
Sydow completed 35 radiation treatments at the Life Vincent Pallotti Hospital, and celebrated her final treatment on Tuesday.
Her first cookbook, The Journey of Cape Malay Cooking with Fatima Sydow, was self-published in 2015; Cape, Curry & Koesisters in April 2019 with sister Gadija and Fatima Sydow Cooks this month. It’s already the country’s top-selling cookbook.
Sydow co-hosts the Kaap, Kerrie en Koesisters TV show with Gadija.
“During lockdown last year, when we were allowed to do exercising again, I started to walk. I loved walking in the morning. One day I felt this pain in my left foot, and I just thought it's a little injury, but then this little knob became bigger.”
The doctor recommended she have it checked out and after several tests,soft tissue sarcoma, a form of cancer, was discovered in her left foot. Surgery, followed by radiation therapy, was required.
“I've always felt, no matter what I was going through, I still wanted to be there for my followers and bring them this place where they can feel a moment of reprieve, so I carried on.
“I did some videos in my wheelchair when I had energy, because the radiation and the foot was still healing.”
With therapy taking its toll, she still thought it important to stay connected and shared how the continuous showering of support had helped her.
Her love for cooking was instilled by her mother, known for her warm hospitality, who would prepare meals for mass gatherings. At the age of about 9, Sydow was already on hand to assist her mother with the basics.
“Watching how food brought people together, how people would enjoy eating, talking, laughing … bonding and creating new memories – that has always been my inspiration when it comes to food. I want to create new memories with loved ones.”