Halala! Onezwa Mbola's cookbook dream comes true – get ready to cook sustainably

Halala! Mzansi, the moment we’ve all been waiting for has arrived.

Social media sensation and beloved food content creator Onezwa Mbola is set to unveil her much-anticipated debut cookbook, a treasure trove of culinary delights grounded in the principles of sustainability and slow living. 

Fans of her delightful cooking videos - who number over a million - will soon have the opportunity to recreate her passion for home-grown and foraged ingredients in their own kitchens. 

Jonathan Ball Publishers made the exciting announcement through social media, stating: “We are thrilled to announce that a brand-new cookbook by acclaimed food lover and storyteller Onezwa Mbola will be published by Jonathan Ball Publishers in 2026. Stay tuned for more information.” 

Mbola herself took to social media, sharing her elation: “What a full circle moment, from crying about wanting a book to being signed to the best in the game @jonathanballpublishers. Thank you @aneleandtheclubon947 for making the moment so special.”

For Mbola, the cookbook represents not just a collection of recipes, but a heartfelt homage to the way she was raised.

In an interview conducted two years ago, she reflected on her childhood experiences with foraging and cooking, explaining how her late mother played a pivotal role in shaping her culinary journey. 

“My mother was a great cook. She made everything from scratch because we lived far from town. She grew her own food and foraged for whatever else she could not grow,” she recalled.

“Food was the centre of our gatherings, and that’s where my love for it blossomed.”

As the founder of eMandulo, a health food store that produces home-grown and handmade condiments and seasonings, Mbola emphasised the importance of knowing one’s food sources.

“I do not use any chemicals or pesticides on my food, so I know that it is one hundred percent natural. Growing my own food is just a way of living.”

With the country reeling from a cost-of-living crisis, she believes that her focus on fresh ingredients, often foraged and free, can provide a welcome reprieve for many.

“It is much cheaper to buy seeds than it is to buy a head of lettuce,” she asserted. 

Earlier this year, Mbola took her culinary expertise to new heights by launching her first pop-up restaurant, “A Harvest Table With Onezwa”.

In an overwhelming demonstration of her popularity, tickets for the event sold out within minutes.

Hosted in Cintsa, a picturesque village on the Wild Coast of the Eastern Cape province, the dining experience welcomed 30 guests to savour delectable dishes rooted in her sustainable cooking philosophy.

As we eagerly await her upcoming cookbook, three things stand out that we anticipate: innovative recipes that emphasise foraged ingredients, a celebration of sustainable practices, and stories that intertwine her culinary journey with her cultural heritage.