Fatima made her first 100-litre pot of curry at the age of 16 and has been sharing her popular recipes ever since. Even before becoming a TV star, she had built up a worldwide following with her Facebook page, Cape Malay Cooking with Fatima Sydow.
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It was the summer of 1980 in the heart of Mannenberg, what most call the Cape Flats and some call the gangster areas. Row and rows of three-storey flats where everyone faced each other all day long. Washing lines, a colourful tapestry of clean washing on every line as far as the eye could see… Yes, this was Manenberg. This was our home.
I went from helping my mom for hundreds of people at a time to countless people over the years. I then opened my own little catering company. But all along I had this innate drive or need to share this beautiful feeling I experienced growing up and the relationship with food and family.
I started a Facebook page, Cape Malay Cooking with Fatima Sydow, and it became so popular I decided to self-publish my first book, The Journey of Cape Malay Cooking with Fatima Sydow.
With that came so many opportunities that it almost took my breath away, including a cooking show called, Kaap, kerrie and koesisters, followed by our first published book.
I’m so excited future life adventures and looking forward to the journey.