MEC Marais mourns death of celebrity cook Fatima Sydow

By Samantha Allen

Published: December 20, 2023 | 10:48 AM GMT

South Africa – Western Cape Cultural Affairs and Sport MEC, Anroux Marais, has expressed shock and sadness at the passing of celebrity cook, Fatima Sydow, at the age of 50 .

According to a statement released by the family, Sydow passed away peacefully on Tuesday at Vincent Pallotti Hospital in Cape Town, after battling soft tissue sarcoma since 2020 .

She was surrounded by her immediate family .

Marais said Sydow would be missed by everyone she touched with her warm personality, including the many fans of her hit TV show, Kaap, Kerrie en Koesisters .

“The sun will shine a little less brightly after Fatima lost her battle, so bravely fought, against soft tissue sarcoma, which has robbed the Western Cape of one of its most beloved residents .

Her recipes were often short and simple enough for anyone to attempt .

Yet the end product, often with Cape Malay flair, would always be so spectacular,” Marais said .

The MEC thanked Sydow’s family and loved ones for supporting her so that she might share her gift with the nation .

“She made her mark and will be sorely missed by all those who knew and cared for her .

Her life and work will live on through her recipes .

I send my most heartfelt condolences and hope that you will find peace and strength during this difficult time,” Marais said .

Sydow is a renowned culinary artist and beloved personality known for her exceptional culinary skills, infectious enthusiasm and warm personality .

The cook was born on 12 November 1973 to Abduraghmaan and the late Waseela (nee Davids) Sydow on the Cape Flats in Cape Town .

“Her culinary odyssey commenced at the tender age of nine, standing alongside her mother, peeling potatoes, and cutting onions .

“Inspired by her mother’s ability to perform culinary miracles with few ingredients; creating dishes that generously fed many hungry stomachs, Fatima found the spark that would ignite her own culinary journey,” said Marais .

In 2015, she published a book, The Journey of Cape Malay Cooking with Fatima Sydow .

She subsequently published two more books, Cape, Curry & Koesisters: Fatima Sydow Cooks, and My Story, My Heritage .

Her funeral will take place on Wednesday in Cape Town .

About Samantha Allen

Samantha Allen is a seasoned journalist and senior correspondent at TDPel Media, specializing in the intersection of maternal health, clinical wellness, and public policy. With a background in investigative reporting and a passion for data-driven storytelling, Samantha has become a trusted voice for expectant mothers and healthcare advocates worldwide. Her work focuses on translating complex medical research into actionable insights, covering everything from prenatal fitness and neonatal care to the socioeconomic impacts of healthcare legislation. At TDPel Media, Samantha leads the agency's health analytics desk, ensuring that every report is grounded in accuracy, empathy, and scientific integrity. When she isn't in the newsroom, she is an advocate for community-led wellness initiatives and an avid explorer of California’s coastal trails.