Cooking from the heart – Johnny Molefe

November 5, 2010

Johnny Molefe has been cooking up delicious creations at the Maropeng Visitor Centre for five years now, but this experienced chef’s career in cuisine spans two decades.

It’s unsurprising that he counts cooking among his passions and believes that there’s nothing better than good food: “I like to give people a nice meal, a meal that comes from the bottom of my heart. It’s something that everyone should be able to enjoy.”

Head chef Peter Langa describes Johnny as a very enthusiastic person with strong cooking abilities and good banqueting skills.

“Even though he’s an old man he doesn’t act like one. He likes to be called lebobohlawane [‘teenager’],” says Peter.

Johnny loves his job at Maropeng, saying that it’s the friendly atmosphere that makes it so enjoyable: “We work well as team,” he explains, “When I’m here, it feels like I’m at home because we are like a family. We enjoy each other [and] everyone gets along.”

“Which is good,” he adds, “because I spend a lot of time here!”

Johnny is loved by co-workers for his ability to lift spirits in the kitchen at stressful times, attests chef Adelaide Sebothoma: “Since I’ve known him, he’s always been a nice, hardworking guy. We’re always laughing in the kitchen. Even if you’re cross, he’ll make you feel happy again.”

Despite the long hours spent in the Tumulus kitchen, Johnny is reluctant to hang up his chef’s hat at the end of the day. At home, he cooks for his family and is eager to pass his talent on to his kids.
“I am teaching my children to cook,” he explains.

In those rare moments spent out of the kitchen, at home or away, Johnny likes to play music. His favourite instrument is the guitar.

He says that, since starting work at Maropeng, he has learnt a lot about “caves and fossils” and suggests that they are a “very important part of South Africa.”

He also recognises the historical significance of the Cradle of Humankind, and hopes that the Maropeng Visitor Centre remains a popular attraction for years to come.

“I wish that the young people will keep up [with] what we do at Maropeng,” he says.

It’s obvious that Johnny is proud to work at Maropeng and is eager to see it retain its place among South Africa’s top tourist attractions: “It’s in a good place,” he explains, “I hope it stays.”

 

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