Xitsonga chef brings heart and flavour to MasterChef SA
From Malamulele to the MasterChef kitchen, Shoki Ramontja blends South African tradition, care, and vibrant flavours.
LIMPOPO – Among the final group of culinary hopefuls on MasterChef South Africa is Reshoketjoe “Shoki” Ramontja (30), a Xitsonga-speaking social worker whose cooking is deeply rooted in care, compassion, and cultural storytelling.
Raised in a Xitsonga household in Malamulele, Shoki grew up believing that the kitchen was more than just a place to prepare meals; it was the emotional heartbeat of her family.
It was there that love, gratitude, and generational wisdom were shared, often under the gentle guidance of her granny.
From an early age, Shoki learned that food has the power to comfort, heal, and connect people.
Those lessons now shape both her professional and culinary lives.
By day, she works as a social worker in schools across Johannesburg, supporting young people with empathy and care. By night and now on national television, she brings that same ethos into the kitchen.
Affectionately known as the “side-dish queen” in her family, Shoki’s reputation extends far beyond accompaniments.
Loved ones and friends describe her as a “culinary royal,” praised for her bold flavour combinations and her remarkable ability to elevate simple, humble ingredients into refined, memorable dishes.
Her cooking style is a vibrant fusion of Asian influences with both traditional and contemporary South African cuisine.
This philosophy is beautifully captured in the dish she would serve to international guests: a rich beef bone-and-sugar-bean broth (compote), paired with cooked samp and finished with fresh herbs and chili, a proudly South African interpretation inspired by Vietnamese pho.
For Shoki, competing on MasterChef South Africa is about more than personal achievement.
Winning would open the door to global culinary exploration, particularly across Asia, where she hopes to deepen her understanding of international food heritage.
“I want to acquire knowledge to incorporate these countries’ food heritage into South African dishes,” she said.
Whether in a school classroom or the MasterChef kitchen, Shoki Ramontja continues to prove that food, at its best, is an act of care, one that tells stories, bridges cultures, and brings people together.
The new season of MasterChef SA started on February 22 on Etv, at 18:00 every Sunday.
