Siba’s recipe for financial success
Celebrity television chef Sibahle Mtongana, the host of Food Network’s ‘Siba’s Table’, chats to Thekiso Anthony Lefifi about her spending habits
What is the worst thing you have done with money?
Buying sale items that I haven’t used for more than a year and ended up giving away. What has been the highlight of your career? Having a cooking show, Siba’s
Table , with Food Network is by far the highlight of my career thus far. What is the most you have spent in a single day?
Now I need to think hard, because I always spend a lot on food, especially when taking friends and family out or on holiday. Once in Kenya we got a plus 20 000-something bill for food for just me and my husband, and we were shocked at the amount. But then we realised it was in shillings not rands, so it was only R2 000 — to our relief. We usually spend more when we’re abroad. How do you prefer to pay for things, cash or card?
Debit card, which is cash on card. How do you tip? What is your philosophy around tipping?
I’m a big tipper. Ten percent is the least and if the service was great, it’s even more.
I was a waitress once upon a time when I was a student and I know the challenges that go with the job. At the same time, I despise bad service because it
makes great-tasting food taste sour. So I will politely let the waitress know and the manager in charge so they can improve it. But I always tip. Being in the limelight, do you find that people scrutinise you a lot in the way you spend money?
Not really. I do what I want to do with my money, and giving is a very big part of that. Do you think South Africans splurge on cuisine, or is the culture of eating out limited?
It’s hard to tell without the facts. I know there was a time during the recession when I cut back on luxury spending such as going out. I’m still quite cautious, and if I have to pay lots of money for food then it had better live up to the price.
Does being famous get in the way of doing your job?
Not at all. Cape Town is so chilled. You can just be you. There is no unnecessary pressure. Do you believe in personal financial advisers?
Yes, we need to be streetwise with our money and it’s good to have someone with the expertise to guide us.
How do you invest?
Equity unit trusts, exchangetraded funds and lots more, but hubby is in charge of most of that. If money wasn’t an issue, what would you spend it on?
Personal spending for me and my family and on investments, church and charities.