From Conforming to the Corporate Ways to Chasing her Dreams: The inspiring journey of Kholiwe Rafu

The world of food could not steal Kholiwe’s heart at first sight. She grew up in the rural eastern Cape, where the staple food is made mainly from maize or garden vegetables available around the area. This meant a restricted variety of dishes year-round. Meals had a predictable nature to them, so much so that Kholiwe would often guess accurately what must have been waiting on the dining table after school before she would reach home. This static state of meals made her disinterested in the culinary charm from an early age.

When Kholiwe reached Dublin for higher studies, she joined a fine-dining restaurant as a waitress to earn some money for her expenses. She didn’t know back then that this place was going to change her life. As she worked around the kitchen craftsmen, Kholiwe realised that food could be good. It can be interesting, surprising, and dynamic. A tomato can be used in a million ways and taste different each time.

Kholiwe had just found a brand new world. Small things about food fascinated her. She would notice how shapes could make the same ingredients taste different and how, with the slightest change, one can make something completely different and beautiful while honouring the ingredients.

Kholiwe still had some time to be smitten with the craft of cooking, but this was where her love for food began. She would admire the chefs from afar while waitressing.

As Kholiwe completed her education, she found a corporate job and left the vibrant world of sauces and soups behind. Haven got her degree in ophthalmology; she started working in the medical industry. She worked in the industry for eight and a half years! And she was great at her job. Constant growth opportunities came her way, and she continued to shine through her work. And she might have never found her true calling if it wasn’t for COVID.

As Kholiwe started working from her home amid COVID, her hunger got her to give into cooking. As days went by, her meals tasted and looked better and better. Kholiwe was proud of herself and started sharing pictures of her meals out of joy.

Kholiwe Rafu's bagel French toast, with vanilla and maple mascarpone and macerated strawberries

Soon after COVID ended, she continued to practice her newfound passion. She started loving the idea of recreating her favourite meals from restaurants, which made her dining experience even more fun.

Kholiwe loved photography. It was the art she was passionate about before discovering her love for cooking. This came in handy as she got creative with her food pictures and Instagram visuals.

As more and more people tuned in to admire her mouthwatering creations, they began requesting recipes as well. In a matter of time, her following and presence on social media grew, and soon, she went from a corporate girlie posting her lunches to becoming an Instagram Food Content Creator with her handle, kholiwe_cooks. Seeing the stars align for her, Kholiwe finally gave in to her true calling and joined a culinary school to make it official.

“I feel very proud to have worked with Kerry Gold. They offered me an opportunity to showcase my South African heritage and gave me creative freedom. I’m proud of that campaign. I'm so proud of that campaign because it made me realise that even with the ventures I'm trying to do now, I am incredibly passionate about showcasing South African food. I grew up eating the food that maybe I looked down on back then, but now that I have the culinary background and uniquely beautiful heritage, I can put it together and create beautiful things.”

Kholiwe’s approach is highly variable, depending on what she is cooking. When learning a new cuisine, she likes to start with original traditional recipes instead of a fusion dish. Other times, she loves to experiment.

Kholiwe is an individual with many interests. She recently discovered a new love for home decor and styling. Additionally, she found that she is good at art and has been practising the skill.

Kholiwe’s favourite dish is steamed bread, which can be easily found in any Eastern South African household. She truly believes good bread is highly underrated.

“Leave the desire for perfectionism at the door and just create what you want with love.”

Kholiwe advised emerging chefs and food creators to focus on learning new things as they go on and not be too harsh on themselves. She advised against wanting and running after quick results when you have only started your journey and are competing with people who have dedicated years of their lives to the very same thing. Accept the natural progression of things.

Kholiwe is currently developing her website. Although she shares her recipes on Instagram, her love for photography urged her to create her own website. She also believes she wants a space where she can explain certain things, the little tips and tricks.

Apart from setting up this website, Kholiwe dreams of someday working in a commercial space as a photographer. Although her love for cooking is great, she is also really passionate about photography.

“I want to use the knowledge I've learned in culinary school to improve my food capturing because now I'm more knowledgeable.”

She credits the culinary school with helping her clarify her goals. Kholiwe revealed that studying there helped her identify that she wanted to work in food media, the digital side of the food industry. She dreams of photographing food, capturing its beauty, and making people want to know more about it through these pictures.

Kholiwe Rafu's journey of self discovery and growth is truly inspiring. We wish this creator to soar higher and achieve all that she has ever dreamed of.

Updated on 10 Dec 2025