MOGAU SESHOENE
The celebrity chef and author of The Lazy Makoti’ sGui de to the Kitchen is famous for her impressive take on African cuisine. Here, she talks about the five women who’ve been her biggest inspiration.
MY MOM
Mom’s grace and strength make her one of the most inspirational women in my life, and I fell in love with food and cooking because of her. I grew up in Turfloop Mankweng, a township near Polokwane. Mom, a pastor’s wife, would prepare delightful meals for our family and guests. I have fond memories of her kitchen and all the simple yet delicious food she used to make. She passed on her recipes to me, which sparked my career in cooking.
MAMA DORAH SITOLE
Dorah taught me cooking could become a career. I remember cutting out and archiving her recipes for Mom. Years later, I got to sit beside her at the launch of my debut cookbook – she hosted the event and chatted with me about my recipes. As a food editor and writer for various publications, Dorah opened the door for many other cooks, including Zola Nene and Siba Mtongana. We all call her Mama because that’s how she feels; warm and comforting.
INA PAARMAN
Ina Paarman truly inspired me to turn my passion for food into a sustainable, viable and thriving business. She began her career teaching cookery and has since grown it into an empire, complete with various ranges of food products. I aspire to be as successful as she is.
KWENA BALOYI
My connection with Kwena is the love we share for everything South African and African. We’re both from Limpopo, and we’re avid content creators with a clear bias towards promoting Africa through food and fashion. She’s one of those friends who’s a great sounding board, and a solid source of emotional and spiritual support. The intimate #FixTribe brunches she hosts at her Joburg home oer creatives living in the fast-paced city a safe space to hang out and de-stress.
MING-CHEAU LIN
My good friend Ming started blogging about her native Taiwanese food and later compiled all that food heritage in a best-selling cookbook. She’s passionate about preserving and celebrating her culture’s cuisine.