15-05-2025
Getting a taste of Madiba magic
A taste of Madiba magic
Want to cook, eat, laugh and lunch with Xoliswa Ndoyiya? Mam' Xoli (as she is known to her many friends) was Nelson Mandela's personal chef for more than 20 years. During that time, she prepared food for South Africa's first democratically elected president, his family and an almost endless array of kings, pop stars and politicians.
Our nation's founding father was a fan of Mam' Xoli's understated, classic Xhosa cooking style. When she was first interviewed for the job — by the great man himself, in his kitchen — he stressed that the mandate was to produce 'ukutya kwasekhaya' (home food). So, she did.
Now there is an opportunity for others to taste some of his favourite dishes and chat to the lady who put food on Madiba's table. On May 24, Mam' Xoli is hosting a leisurely lunch at Breadbox Studio, Midrand. Guests will have the opportunity to watch, learn and chat to Chef Xoli as South Africa's queen of comfort cuisine while she cooks a generous feast.
