Xoliswa Ndoyiya

Ndoyiya, who is known across the world as former president Nelson Mandela's personal and family chef, grew up in Ezibeleni township in Komani. Hers was a typical black household upbringing. She is the fourth of five children, with three older brothers, and working-class parents. "As the eldest daughter, you end up almost becoming like a Deputy Mother; and at home, we were a bit old school, so some chores were reserved for the girls," she says. Ndoyiya became increasingly comfortable in the kitchen, deriving a great deal of pleasure and satisfaction each time a plate she cooked was returned empty. She gradually improved her cooking skills through, among others, attending a Jewish culinary school sponsored by her then employers. Her first job as a chef was at the Coronation Hotel, in Johannesburg. She was introduced to Mandela by a friend. After a rather puzzling experience where she was unwittingly subjected to an interview-cum-security-check, she met Tat' uMandela. This was to be the beginning of at least two decades of preparing meals for one of the most revered leaders of the 20th century.