CELEBRITY CHEF SIBA MTONGANA OPENS UP ON FAMILY, WORK AND LIFE

Celebrity chef and TV presenter, Siba Mtongana, chats on food, family and fun this Easter…

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The beloved South African celebrity chef has graced bookshelves and television screens for more than a decade now – thanks to her charming approach to cooking, food, and life that resounds with many worldwide.

Over the years, Siba has established herself as a household name, making her one of the most recognisable celebrity chefs in the country. From cookbooks, a Harvard case study, restaurateur, author, and TV host, the Mzansi culinary icon is a young, dynamic powerhouse whose career is built around three of her biggest passions – people, food, and education.

“I am highly ambitious and believe in contributing positively to society,” she tells us. “My company, The Siba Co, allows me to express myself fully on all my passions and compassions.”

After the debut of her successful Food Network show Siba’s Table in 2013, she has been described as a pioneer, trailblazer, food expert and a force to be reckoned with.

Since then, she has bagged multiple award-winning shows locally and internationally, such as Cooking with Siba, Sibalicious, Siba’s Adventures, Chopped South Africa and House of Chef.

In 2022, she won six accolades, including one of the Top 10 Best Fine-Dining Restaurants in South Africa at the 2022 Luxe 100 Best Awards for her restaurant, SIBA - the restaurant at Sun International’s Table Bay Hotel in Cape Town’s Waterfront.

At the same event, she was also recognised as one of our country’s Top 10 Best Chefs. She has also been honoured her with an Ubuntu Award for serving as an excellent ambassador for South Africa in the international community.

SIBALICIOUS HACKS
Besides being business-savvy and hard-working, she credits her success to a higher power. "I am a prayerful person and a woman of faith; I rely heavily on my gut, which I call the ‘God nudges’, for most decisions," Siba clarifies.

“If I feel like I have got a go-ahead from God, I go for it even if I am doubtful and fearful. Equally so, I retract if I don’t feel inner peace about things, even if they look amazing. This has been my saving grace on so many things,” she adds.

Well-known for introducing classic, nostalgic South African flavours into an international context, as a mom, she strives to make recipes simple and achievable for the midweek rush, “with added time-saving and nutritious Sibalicious hacks," she adds.

With her bachelor’s degree in Food Science and Nutrition which included culinary training as a chef, Siba wants to empower her audience in the kitchen, where she spends a considerable amount of time and finds a lot of inspiration. “I'm naturally curious, inquisitive, creative, and innovative,” she says.

However, most of it she says she draws from her upbringing, food heritage, and ingredients. Local and international travelling to immerse herself in different cuisines and food cultures also brings about a lot of inspiration.

“FOOD IS MY CREATIVE OUTLET, MY THERAPY, MY EXPRESSION OF LOVE”

THE MAGIC OF FOOD
The youngest of six children, food was a recurrent theme in the Mnwana household, which shared a passion for food. “I fondly remember my dad's vegetable garden – it was his pride and joy,” she recalls. She was charged with plucking weeds and picking fresh produce for her mother to prepare.

"My mom had a natural intuition for food, and I learnt a lot by helping her in the kitchen. That is how we learned to cook. She would know exactly what to add and how much simply by feeling,” she says. In fact, it was her childhood that solidified her determination to pursue a profession in food.

"Food is magical in its ability to bring people across all cultures together, form connections beyond languages, and become the centre of all celebrations," she says. “Food is my creative outlet, my therapy, my expression of love - it is who I am, and I feel extremely blessed that I have created a thriving business out of this passion.”

“FOOD IS MAGICAL IN ITS ABILITY TO BRING PEOPLE ACROSS ALL CULTURES TOGETHER”

SHARED LOVE FOR FOOD
Siba and her husband, Brian, show affection for their children, much like her parents did with her - through quality time and a shared love for food. The Mtongana’s have found that cooking together is a great way to spend quality time. And the Easter holidays will be no exception.

A church service and preparing a delectable Easter Sunday meal are on the agenda. “I spend time with my family every chance I get. I love being a mother – seeing my kids develop their individuality and grow into independent people is one of the most rewarding things,” says Siba as she explains that weekends are designated family time.

The key is a good support system, she says. "I have an incredible team that helps me carve out time for my family amidst all my professional commitments.” Siba and Brian, a corporate executive creative director, met at church before tying the knot in 2010.

The pair have been together for 20 years and have four beautiful children, Lonwabo, Linamandla, BuhlebeNkosi, and NtandoyeNkosi. "We love each of them so much and affirm it to them often, which I think is very important for children, especially at that age,” she adds.

Lonwabo is the family sous-chef, while Linamandla is a tech-savvy gamer who enjoys reading. Buhle, the family's great culinary critic, is their personal Picasso and fashionista. The youngest member of the family, Ntando, enjoys singing and reading.

“We spend a lot of time together and have family adventures almost every weekend!” But prioritising quality time as a married couple is equally as important as spending time with their children.

“Quiet date nights or two-day escapes with Brian where we can just take a break from our noisy bunch, especially because we live high-paced lives,” she explains. “It’s always so good to unwind.”

Aside from the laughs, warm evenings spent around the kitchen table, and languishing in much-needed downtime, we can’t wait to feast our eyes on the mouth-watering dishes Siba is preparing for her family this Easter.

Fast Facts with Siba

What makes you happiest? 

My family, of course. I am blessed beyond measure.

What do you listen to in your downtime? 

I spend quite a lot of free time listening to podcasts. I enjoy business-leadership and spiritual- and emotional-growth-themed podcasts. Favourite way to relax: Nothing beats a spa day. It’s a great way to restart the engine and get yourself back to a state where you can function at full capacity.

Favourite music: Urban gospel and old school soul music. I also love Afro beats!

Tea or Coffee? I enjoy both.

Your favourite cuisine? Asian, followed closely by French.

Dream dinner-party guest (dead or alive): Tata, our late president Nelson Mandela. He is my true hero.

Your life motto: Do your best and God will do the rest!


Follow SIBA
Facebook: Siba Mtongana
Instagram: @sibamtongana
Twitter: @SibaMtongana


Words: Koketso Mashika
Photography: Zhann Solomons
Photography Assistant: James Heron
Stylist: Mia-Tess Smith
Style Assistants: Thuliyani Gxasheka, Tumi Ntsewa