“Don’t call me a chef, call me a cook”
Self-taught cook, James “Punchos”
Bonda was born and raised in Makhaya, a township in Khayelitsha. He refers to
the township as the second city to Cape Town. The city itself partly inspires who he is today. His passion for cooking came while he was
staying with his mother, while away at work; he had to learn to cook on his own.
He started working as a waiter in a few restaurants in Cape Town before realizing
his full potential.
“The start of covid19, businesses had to
close. That’s when I knew I had to start my own cooking business.”
Covid19 made him to be
innovative it also gave him an opportunity to start his own restaurant business
called “La Vise” and a delivery service in Khayelitsha. “The amazing thing about starting a restaurant during
a pandemic and it being in the township was the impact the restaurant had. It
made me not limit my services to the township only but all over Cape Town.
People want food that is made with love adds Bonda. His mission is to celebrate authentic Southern
African foods also giving a township twist to burgers, which have become a
prominent selling item in his restaurant menu.
Bonda believes in order for anyone to make it in life, there has to be sacrifices. He had to start from scratch by quitting soccer to fulfil his passion for food, a legacy, that one day; he hopes to leave behind for his son.
Follow Punchos on Facebook: Don Punchos
Instagram: @donpunchos_thechef
Presenter: Mkuseli "Khusi" Veto
Written By: Lucille Dyosi
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