Tributes are pouring in from across the country after the chef, author and television personality Lesego “LesDaChef” Semenya passed away after battling Covid-19. He was 39.
His death follows just four days after he tweeted that he believed his health was taking a turn for the better. All was looking up, and Mzansi was shocked when his death was announced on Monday, 12 July 2021.
During previous interviews with Food For Mzansi, the Sowetan-born LesDaChef said his loves of the culinary arts was inspired by his parents, who would cook together and have him and his siblings Joy and Kagiso join.
“My favourite recipes are the ones that have nostalgia and memories attached to them. Aromas and tastes are all linked to our sentiments and emotions. I love cooking dishes that my mom used to cook like ledombolo (steamed dumpling), mogodu (tripe), samp and beans,” he said.
After completing high school in 1999, Semenya studied towards a BCom degree at the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg. He also completed a Grande Diploma in Food and Wine at Prue Leith Chefs Academy.
In 2018, Semenya launched his first cook book, Dijo: my food, my journey. He also starred as a judge on the Mzansi version of Top Chef South Africa, along with Neill Anthony as co-judge, with Lorna Masego presenting.
