Durban - Everyone is talking about Siphokazi Mdlankomo, the 39-year-old contestant on MasterChef Season 3.
What makes Siphokazi interesting is that she is a domestic worker from Cape Town and is out to prove that domestic workers are not second-class citizens and that their role in South African households should be held in equal regard to any other profession out there.
Siphokazi, a pint-sized woman with an infectious laugh, was working full time for a family in Newlands before entering the competition.
On her first day in boot camp, Sipho had to think on her feet when her original plan of making a consommé didn’t work out, but she kept her cool and made a beautiful aioli to accompany her perfectly pan-fried angelfish.
On the second day, she displayed an impressive skills base once again by making a succulent parma-wrapped chicken breast with cauliflower mash and provencale sauce.
As the weeks passed, Siphokazi displayed impressive skills and the judges quickly noticed that her talents lay in her vast knowledge of different cooking styles – from classic to modern – coupled with the ability to combine and balance flavours effortlessly.
Why Siphokazi will win MasterChef:
1. She is a great cook and has managed to please the judges with most of her dishes.
2. She cooks hearty, simple and delicious meals.
3. She has a bigger vision insight, which is for domestic work to be taken seriously as a profession.
4. She surrounds herself with cookbooks, magazines and cookery shows – hence her vast knowledge of food.
5. She keeps showing viewers that attitude is everything – it’s her self-revealing honesty that’s drawn viewers to her.
What tweeters have to say about her
@simply_khumski #Siphokazi is too cute. I just want to give her a hug.
@leratommolo #Hope Siphokazi learns to just breathe and stay cool under pressure… want to see her go further!
@Pr1ya_B #Ecstatic for Siphokazi! She’s got such a “spark” of personality – it “melts” my heart!
@simply_khumski #Love her! Small people can do big things.
@van_lexi #The day they send you home, that is the day I stop watching the show. You rock, girl, go and show them you the winner.
@Thobzo #You go, girl, your talent is much appreciated. I admire your spirit, you are my favourite.
Sunday Tribune