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 .
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