Passion drives call centre agent to culinary arts

KwaThema – Madumo Monageng left a well-paying job to pursue a career he knew very little about, and it worked for him.

“Every time I went for lunch I would watch the guys on the other side of the counter.

“I knew that is where I belonged.”

While working as a call centre agent for one of the major banks, Madumo told the head chef at the staff restaurant that he wanted to study culinary arts.

“He was very kind, and he offered to mentor me.

“That is when I resigned from my job and started training with him.”

For two years Madumo learned as much as he could.

“After that training I registered to formally study, and I did my apprenticeship at one of South Africa’s biggest hotel chains.”

Once he had qualified, however, he found he was not earning half as much as he had in his call centre job.

“There were moments when I was tempted to give up, like many others.

“The environment is just crazy, the working hours seem ridiculous.”

Madumo missed numerous family gatherings and time with friends because he was always working.

“Passion kept me going,” he says.

“I knew it would all be worth it in the end.”

Seeing himself on television was one of the best moments in his career.

“Growing up, most of us aspired to be on TV, and who would have thought being a chef would get me there.”

Madumo has recently been on KFC’s Taste Kitchen and etv’s Breakfast Show.

At 34, he has worked his way up to the position of chef lecturer and consultant.

“My dream is to start my own school, in the East Rand.

“Many people have to travel to Johannesburg for good culinary schools.”

He believes this could be another way to combat unemployment and complacency among the youth.