Nokuphiwa Malunga — Mother & Founder
Onwabe Malunga — Daughter & Professional Chef
Our Story
From Kromdraai to Catering for Thousands
Nokuphiwa Malunga grew up underprivileged on a small farm in the deep rural area of
KwaZulu-Natal called Kromdraai. After losing both parents at a young age, life changed
dramatically. She could not continue her studies after matric and had no choice but to
look for work.
Her first job was at a cash loans company, where she quickly discovered a natural gift
for business. She would contribute ideas, see them implemented, and watch them produce
excellent results. That experience revealed something important: she was meant to build
something of her own.
She went on to open her own cash loans business while buying and reselling clothes on
the side. Then a friend gave her simple but life-changing advice: register a company and
make it formal. She listened — and that one decision became the turning point that shaped
her entrepreneurial journey.
Not long after, she followed her heart into cooking, and that passion became the
foundation of Ziphiwo Catering.
From the age of 12, her daughter, Onwabe Malunga, would accompany her
to catering events and help out. It was there that Onwabe developed her own love for
cooking and for the business itself.
With the opportunities available to her, Onwabe went on to study professionally and
qualified as a chef through 1000 Hills Chef School. She later spent a
year in China, expanding her culinary skills and gaining further
experience.
Today, mother and daughter work side by side in the business. Their journey represents
not only growth and determination, but also legacy — a business built from nothing and
carried forward by two generations of resilience, skill, and heart.
Nokuphiwa never imagined that the girl from Kromdraai would one day serve respected
clients such as Standard Bank. But her story proves that hard work,
faith, and consistency open doors you never thought possible.
