Onezwa Mbola on family, flavour and legacy
In Onezwa Mbola’s world, everything begins in the garden… growth, gratitude and the quiet joy of a meal made with love
“Hi, I’m Onezwa. And I make meals using items I’ve grown, raised or foraged.” It’s a simple introduction, and yet it tells you everything you need to know about Onezwa Mbola. Delivered in her warm, unmistakable voice, it has become her signature. As she steps in front of our camera, she’s bathed in the golden light of the sun setting over Hout Bay in Cape Town, casting everything in that late afternoon magic that makes you want to slow down and listen to the quiet rhythm of Mother Nature.
In between shots, she laughs and chats with us, telling us about a recent comment someone left on a social-media post, asking her to describe the flavour of cauliflower. It completely threw her, she admits, even though it’s her favourite vegetable. “Cauliflower tastes like cauliflower!” she laughs. “There’s no other way for me to describe it.”
Talking to Onezwa, it’s easy to understand why so many people have fallen in love with her content. She doesn’t just share recipes — she reminds us that food is more than fuel for your body. It carries the memory of family gatherings, it’s the thread that ties us to our heritage, and the simplest way to say “I love you” without the words.
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By: Rughsaar Bibi Ismail
Photographer: Zhann Solomons
Styling: Gasant Kellerman
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