“Hi, I’m Onezwa, and I make meals using items that I’ve grown, raised, or foraged.”
For millions of South Africans scrolling through TikTok, those words have become instantly recognizable. They are the signature introduction of Onezwa Mbola, the food content creator whose passion for homegrown ingredients, sustainable cooking and storytelling has transformed her into one of the country’s most beloved culinary personalities.
Now, Mbola has taken the next step in her remarkable journey with the launch of her debut cookbook, A Food Love Story, unveiled at a special event at Mall of Africa in Midrand.
What began as short videos documenting meals made from ingredients she cultivated, raised or sourced herself quickly grew into a social media phenomenon. Audiences were drawn not only to Mbola’s recipes, but also to her authenticity, warmth and deep appreciation for the connection between food, nature and family.
That connection forms the heart of A Food Love Story, a cookbook that celebrates the role food plays in bringing people together and creating lasting memories. More than a collection of recipes, the book reflects Mbola’s personal journey and the values that have made her content resonate with so many South Africans.
That commitment to creating something meaningful for readers shaped every stage of the project. Speaking at the launch, Mbola reflected on the lengthy process behind the cookbook and the personal growth that accompanied it.
“Me coming into myself and understanding my path and also being, you know, confident. So it was all those factors. I wanted when you pay that R350 to be like, ‘It was worth it, I am going to use this book.’ This book, I want it to have a place in your home. So it was very important, it was a long process but I think that in the end I really did achieve what I wanted to achieve. I don’t think, in fact, I did achieve what I wanted to achieve,” said Onezwa.
The sentiment underscores Mbola’s desire for A Food Love Story to be more than a coffee-table cookbook. Instead, she hopes it becomes a practical companion in readers’ kitchens- a book that is regularly opened, cooked from and passed between family members, much like the recipes and traditions that inspired its creation.
Guests gathered at Mall of Africa to celebrate the launch, where Mbola shared insights into the inspiration behind the book and reflected on the path that led her from content creator to published author. The event brought together supporters, food enthusiasts and members of the media eager to mark a milestone in her growing career.
Radiating excitement throughout the evening, Mbola engaged with guests and signed copies of the cookbook, while discussing the stories and experiences that shaped its pages. The launch served as a testament to how digital creators are increasingly turning online success into lasting contributions beyond social media platforms.
For Mbola, the cookbook represents the culmination of years spent cultivating a community around food and storytelling. Her content has consistently highlighted the beauty of creating meals from ingredients with known origins, encouraging audiences to think differently about what they eat and where it comes from.
As copies of A Food Love Story found their way into the hands of readers, the significance of the moment was clear. The woman who introduced herself to the internet with a simple greeting and a passion for food has become an author, proving that a love for cooking can grow into something far greater than a viral video.
And while the platform may have changed from a phone screen to the pages of a book, the message remains the same: food is at its best when it tells a story.
Photography by Shukri Hassan and Nokwanda Zondi