Mandela's personal chef launches cookbook

Zimbabwe Star (ANI) Friday 3rd February, 2012

Nelson Mandela's personal chef has launched a cookbook which features some of the former South African president's favourite dishes.

Xoliswa Ndoyiya's book includes more than 62 recipes for the simple traditional meals that Mandela most enjoys.

She has cooked for the Mandela family for more than 20 years.

The book, one of the few South African cookbooks to include traditional African recipes, will be available in the UK in the coming months.

Speaking at the launch, Mandela's great-grandson Luvuyo described Ndoyiya, known as "Xoli", as the family's best kept secret.

"UMam'Xoli was more than someone who prepared meals... she was a parent," the BBC quoted the grandson as saying.

'Ukutya Kwasekhaya [home cooking] - Tastes from Nelson Mandela's Kitchen', includes recipes for chicken soup, umqusho (maize and beans) and umsila wenkomo (oxtail stew).

Ndoyiya, 49, sees food as a way of strengthening bonds between families and also preserving special memories.

"Tata [Nelson] Mandela has told me that every time I make umphokoqo [sour milk] for him, he remembers his mother cooking this dish for him with love," she wrote in her book. (ANI)