Before sunrise, 23-year-old Nadia Khumalo is already at work, preparing meals for her small roadside kitchen near the Velani Township mini taxi rank.

From this humble spot, she is steadily building a name for herself through hard work, resilience and a deep love for food.

Khumalo, known locally as ‘Mak’, hails from Etete in Velani Township and is a trained chef who studied at Amajuba College.

She sets up near Tinley Manor Primary School, opening at 8.30am after starting her day at 5am. Taxi drivers and teachers make up most of her daily customers.

Her culinary journey began at in a local hotel, where she interned in a professional kitchen. Through discipline and commitment, she earned recognition and awards for her work.

However, a challenging work environment took a toll on her mental health. Facing depression and anxiety, she made the difficult decision to resign and prioritise her well-being.

Rather than give up, she channelled her passion into starting her own food business within her community.

“My passion for food comes from my dad. I honestly think he is the best cook and I wanted to become a chef so my family could be proud,” she said.

As the firstborn in a poor home, Khumalo carries a strong sense of responsibility for her siblings. Her upbringing continues to motivate her to succeed and serve as a role model.

Alongside her business, Khumalo has built a strong social media presence. On TikTok, she has over 232 000 followers and more than 4.4 million likes. She is also active on Facebook under the name nadia_omuhle_khumalo, with more than 12 000 followers.

“I am grateful for the support from my customers, without them, I would not be here,” she said.

Khumalo dreams of opening her own restaurant, working as a private chef and one day teaching young people about food and culture.

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