For Willowvale born author and food storyteller Onezwa Mbola, food is far more than what appears on a plate. It is a connection to family, culture, memory and love.
Speaking to the Go! following her book signing event at Bargain Books in Hemingways Mall on Thursday when promoting her cookbook, A Food Love Story, Mbola said it was inspired by her personal relationship with food and the people and places that shaped her life.
“A Food Love Story was inspired by my relationship with food, but also by the people, places and memories that shaped me,” said Mbola.
“After sharing my cooking journey online for so long, I wanted to create something that captured the deeper stories behind the recipes — the love, the heritage and the memories.”
Having taken three years to complete, her cookbook combines recipes with deeply personal stories.
Mbola believes food and storytelling are inseparable.
“Food without a story is just a recipe. The stories are what give food meaning.
“Every dish carries a piece of history — who taught you, where you come from and what moments you associate with it.”
Among the recipes featured in the book, one of the most meaningful is umleqwa and dumplings, a dish closely linked to her late mother.
“It is something my mother cooked often and the recipe is entirely hers,” she said.
Growing up, food was woven into everyday life through growing, harvesting, preparing and sharing meals.
While her respect for food began in childhood, cooking became more important later in life.
“My love for cooking came later. I wanted to recreate dishes my mother made for me and it became a way in which I processed the grief I felt when I lost her.”
Mbola credits her family, particularly her mother, Nonkoliso, and the women who surrounded her while growing up, as the greatest influences in her culinary journey.
“They taught me that cooking is not only about technique, it’s about intention, generosity and love.”
Her cultural heritage forms the foundation of the book, influencing everything from the ingredients and cooking methods to the stories shared throughout its pages.
“My heritage is the foundation of the book.
“I wanted to celebrate those traditions while also showing how they can evolve.”
The writing process was often emotional as it required revisiting treasured family memories, especially those connected to her mother.
“There were moments of joy and moments that were emotional because food has always been closely tied to love and family for me.”
Mbola said she had been touched by the response from readers.
“I thought people would connect with the recipes, but seeing people connect with the emotions, the memories and their own experiences has been incredibly special,” she said.
She believes food remains one of the most powerful ways of preserving family histories and cultural traditions.
“Every time we cook those foods, we keep those stories alive.”
Looking at the broader culinary landscape, Mbola feels SA’s indigenous grains, fermented foods and traditional preservation methods deserve greater international recognition.
“South African food has so much depth,” she said.
For aspiring food writers and cookbook authors, her advice is simple: “Tell your story honestly. People connect with authen-ticity.”
While she is currently celebrating the success of A Food Love Story, Mbola said she hoped to continue sharing stories through food in future projects.
“There are so many ingredients, traditions and stories that still need to be shared.”
Asked who she would most like to cook for, her answer reflected the themes that run throughout her book.
“I would cook for my mother. Food has always been my way of expressing love, and sharing a meal with her now would mean so much.
“I would want her to see the journey her love created.”
