In this candid interview, Mogau Seshoene, known as The Lazy Makoti, reflects on the pivotal decisions that shaped her path from the corporate world to becoming an acclaimed chef, author, and culinary entrepreneur. She begins by acknowledging her belief that no turn is ever truly “wrong”—even setbacks guide you toward your true calling. For Mogau, the corporate sector was that setback, a world in which she felt stifled as a creative. Trained as an auditor, she quickly realized the environment was not for her, leading her to rediscover joy through weekend cooking classes.

What started as a hobby grew into The Lazy Makoti brand, and with the encouragement of paying clients, Mogau invested in culinary school. Although she was the oldest in her class, she embraced the challenge and quickly noticed the absence of African cuisine in formal training. This realization fueled her mission to preserve and elevate traditional South African dishes through cookbooks, media, and workshops.

She discusses the cultural gaps in education, the importance of national pride in food heritage, and the need to create African culinary schools and textbooks for future generations. Mogau emphasizes experimentation in the kitchen, the beauty of African ingredients, and the responsibility of her generation of chefs to adapt heritage foods for contemporary life without losing authenticity.

The conversation highlights her bestselling cookbooks, including Hosting with The Lazy Makoti, which focuses on meals for gatherings of all sizes, and her upcoming international launches in Dubai and the UK. Mogau also speaks about expanding into homeware and food retail, stressing the importance of representation on grocery shelves to make African cuisine more accessible.

She concludes by expressing gratitude for the support she has received and her excitement about shaping how South Africans and the world experience African food.

In this special virtual launch, Mogau Seshoene introduces her second bestselling cookbook, Hosting with The Lazy Makoti. She explains that the book is inspired by her South African heritage and memories of childhood meals, with a mission to celebrate dishes that are often overlooked in mainstream food spaces. Mogau emphasizes that South African and African cuisine deserve a spotlight, describing her work as a love letter to heritage, family, and togetherness.

She reveals how the book is structured to guide readers through all occasions: breakfast starters, weekday dinners, hearty soul warmers, easy bakes, vegetarian meals, and big celebrations. A standout feature is her collaboration with chefs from across Africa, who contributed recipes that highlight the continent’s diversity. From Zimbabwe’s mopane worms to Zambian pap variations, Mogau shows how familiar dishes can be reimagined with pride and creativity.

Lockdown shaped much of the book’s message teaching her that every occasion is worth celebrating. Whether it’s a midweek dinner or a festive holiday, she encourages readers to embrace joy through food. She shares examples like plant-based “cauliflower wings,” rice-stuffed fish, boozy ice lollies for adults, and weekday one-pot chicken and rice meals designed for busy households.

Her passion for accessibility and experimentation shines through. She breaks myths around plant-based cooking, showcasing vegan desserts made from chickpea brine and dairy-free mac and cheese alternatives. Heritage remains central, with recipes like goat stew, Sunday “seven colors,” and ginger-pineapple lamb chops that reflect South African traditions.