Nothing can stop the fiery determination of Kamogelo Maleka. The 24-year-old has her eyes dead set on achieving both her culinary and teaching dreams. Besides running her own catering business, she is also well on her way to completing a degree in education.
Maleka started cooking when she was only 12 years old and still remembers how one of her sisters, Evah, taught her how to cook. Two days later she was asked to prepare pap and cabbage. Maleka nailed it and says she is now the best cook in their house.
Recipe: Kamogelo Maleka’s traditional mopane worms
Maleka, who now lives in Pretoria, is originally from Moteti in Dennilton, Mpumalanga. After matriculating from Edward Phatudi Comprehensive School in 2014 she worked at Virgin Active Kids Gym (Club-V).
“Honestly speaking, I didn’t know what I wanted to do until I was given an opportunity to work with children as a Club-V attendant. And that is where my love for working with children grew. I chose it because I realised that being around them makes me happy and brings the best out in me.”
Since then she knew that she wanted to work with children. In 2018 Maleka applied to study education part-time at the University of South Africa, specialising in grade R to 3.
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“It is exhausting sometimes, especially since I am studying part-time. Most of the things I have to do on my own. But it feels awesome, because I get to learn about new things every day when I study,” says Maleka.
To bring her love for both food and children together, Maleka plans to educate her learners about healthy eating habits.
She says: “Being well-informed about food would make it easier for me to teach my children about healthy eating. I will teach them about different kinds of cuisines.”
Even though she is still working towards one qualification, Maleka already has another one in mind. She is planning on obtaining a foundation chef diploma from Capsicum Culinary School. Besides Maleka’s studies, her catering business, KM Cooking Obsession, which she launched last year, takes up most of her time. Her company employs two people on a full-time basis and caters for weddings, birthday parties and corporate events.
Learning new things in and outside the kitchen is what keeps her going daily. And when she is not playing netball or spending time with her friends, Maleka is busy whipping up a new recipe.
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