“Do you know how to cook isiXhosa dishes?”
It was by answering “yes” to this question from Nelson Mandela that chef Xoliswa Ndoyiya’s life changed overnight. For 22 years, from Madiba’s release from prison until his death in 2013, the woman affectionately known as Sis’Xoli was more than just a chef—she was the beating heart of Mandela’s kitchen, his confidante, and the guardian of his favorite meals, simple and deeply rooted in Xhosa culture. Born in the Eastern Cape province, like Tata himself, Sis’Xoli learned to blend love, memory, and identity on a plate from her grandmother.
In her book, Made With Love, the chef shares more than just traditional recipes like umsila wenkomo, an oxtail stew and the former president’s favorite dish, or umphokoqo, a honeyed porridge. As she recalls memories and anecdotes, she offers a heartfelt tribute to the former president, emotionally illustrating how food can build bridges between cultures and keep memories alive.
Winner of the Food Icon Award for her lifetime achievement and contribution to South Africa’s food industry at the Food XX Africa 2024, Sis’Xoli, now at the helm of the Sanctuary Mandela kitchen, continues to tell Madiba’s story through flavor, reimagining his favorite dishes for a new generation. But deep down, she nourishes a new dream: “My dream is to own a restaurant that also serves as a cooking school, where people can come to eat and share moments of laughter. I would also use this space to train young people who want to pursue cooking—especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds who don’t have access to higher education.”
