From family kitchen to national spotlight: Liziwe Matloha’s culinary journey

LIZIWE Matloha is a remarkable figure in South Africa's culinary scene.

- MASABATA MKWANANZI

She is a chef, businesswoman, and writer who has transformed her passion for cooking into a celebration of resilience, culture, and family. She continues to inspire with her genuine flavors and love of cooking while juggling her roles as a mother and businesswoman.

Born in Boskop, a small rural village in Potchefstroom, North West, Matloha grew up in a household steeped in tradition and family values. She recalls taking turns with her siblings to cook and do chores, with Sundays reserved for a proper meal of meat and vegetables.

"My earliest memory of cooking was around age 13. Sundays were the best because we got to enjoy a proper meal, it felt like a celebration," she said.

While most of her family cooked out of necessity, Matloha discovered a deeper connection, creativity, comfort, and joy. She fondly remembers preparing sweet treats for her father.

"My dad always loved whatever I made for him, and his compliments made me feel so proud," she recalled.