International Men’s Day: how home cooking is empowering men to redefine their identity

International Men’s Day, celebrated each year on November 19, encourages reflection on the roles, experiences and contributions of men in society.

One of the areas where men are increasingly redefining themselves is in the kitchen.

Across South Africa, more men are embracing home cooking as part of their daily lives. They are not only preparing meals for their families but are also using food as a form of expression, culture and learning.

Their stories show a shift in how men relate to the kitchen and how cooking can be a space for connection and identity.

Four South African creators have become known for this shift, each using food to share their experiences, backgrounds and personal journeys.

Sifo the Cooking Husband

Sinoyolo Sifo, known to many as Sifo the Cooking Husband, is one of the most visible voices in this movement. He is a pharmacist by profession and a self-taught home cook who has built a strong presence through his food videos and recipes.

His journey began at home in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape, where he grew up between two strong influences: his mother, who cooked for the family, and his father, who ran butcheries in the area. These early experiences formed the base of his approach to food.

His wife encouraged him to share his cooking online in 2020. What began as a simple attempt to document home meals soon led to wide recognition. Today, he is a multi-award-winning food creator. He also appeared on the celebrity edition of "MasterChef South Africa".

Through his content, Sifo has made it clear that he wants to challenge traditional ideas about gender and household roles. He often speaks about the importance of men taking responsibility in the home, especially in the kitchen.

His two cookbooks continue this message, offering recipes that aim to make home cooking approachable for everyone.

Denzhe Makungo

Denzhe Makungo is another creator who has turned home cooking into a reflection of identity. Known online as the Black Venda Man, he creates food content that highlights South African classics and traditional dishes.

His videos often show simple meals made with care, with a focus on everyday cooking that feels familiar to many of his followers.

Makungo often speaks about his Venda heritage and includes dishes from the region in his posts.

J Something

J Something, real name Joao da Fonseca, is widely known as the lead singer of the award-winning group Mi Casa.

Beyond music, he has built a strong presence in the food world. His interest in cooking began at home, influenced by his mother, who owned a restaurant. Over time, cooking became another form of creative expression for him.

His style blends his Portuguese roots with South African food traditions. He calls this blend “Afrogese”, a term that reflects the meeting point between the two cultures.

He has used television, restaurants and social media to share this approach, showing how food can be a place where background, travel, memory and identity meet. For him, cooking is not separate from storytelling.

It is a way to share where he comes from and what matters to him.

Lindo Zindela

Lindo Zindela forms part of a family that has turned Sunday meals into a weekly ritual. Together with his wife and their two daughters, he creates videos that show the entire family cooking together.

Their phrase, “Sana, it is a Sunday and you know what that means kwa Zindela,” has become a familiar line on social media. It signals that it is time for them to prepare their Sunday meal.

Zindela is fully involved in the cooking process, from preparation to plating. He often wears an apron as a reminder that this is his role and that he is committed to it.

The meals they prepare range from traditional dishes to easy family recipes.

What stands out is the sense of togetherness. Their kitchen is a place of teaching, sharing and participation, showing how cooking can build family connections.