For three years, the legendary cookbook author and TV personality Fatima Sydow had been battling soft tissue sarcoma, a type of cancer. Yesterday, her family announced that Fatima had passed away.
Fatima Sydow was instrumental in making Cape Malay cuisine more easily accessible through, among others, her first self-published cookbook, The Journey of Cape Malay Cooking with Fatima Sydow, and the cooking show she started with her sister in 2021, Kaap, Kerrie & Koesisters. She also ran a highly successful YouTube channel, called Fatima Sydow Cooks.
Around the country, fans and foodies have been sharing their heartfelt condolences and pouring out their memories of this great Capetonian.
In memory of the great chef, we encourage you to cook from your hearts and share some of our favourite Fatima Sydow recipes with your loved ones these holidays:
And to Fatima, wherever she may be, we want to say thank you for inspiring us, thank you for shining a spotlight on South African food, thank you for everything you have taught us. Your memory lives on in the recipes you leave behind.