South African Chef Siphokazi Mdlankomo

Siphokazi Mdlankomo was raised in Tsolo in the Eastern Cape, near Mthatha in South Africa.  Growing up, she had an interest in music followed by fashion but was not able to pursue either.  At 19, she gave birth to a son and had to leave Tsolo to look for work, which she did as a domestic worker for a family in Cape Town. Over the years, as she cooked for the family, she nurtured her cooking skills and gained the confidence to compete on "Master Chef South Africa," season 3, where she was runner-up.  But the newfound fame didn't come with the opportunities Siphokazi had hoped it would as she continues to carve her own path in the culinary industry and make a name for herself. Listen and Connect Website Instagram   Diaspora Food Stories is produced by The Global Food and Drink Initiative, a 501c3 nonprofit.  Together with your generous donation we can continue to preserve the oral history and culture of Black food and drink stories both in English and other languages spoken throughout the African diaspora. To donate, visit globalforgood.org.