Top 20 · South Africa 2026
Food and sustainable living
A chef and FoodTok creator who cooks traditional Xhosa recipes from food she has grown, raised or foraged, and whose first pop-up restaurant sold out in hours.
“Hi, I’m Onezwa, and I make meals using items that I’ve grown, raised or foraged.” This signature introduction has become instantly recognisable across South Africa, signalling the start of a calming, immersive culinary experience.
Onezwa Mbola is a South African food creator, chef, entrepreneur and social-media culinary storyteller whose authentic farm-to-table content has made her one of the most beloved voices on FoodTok. Her videos guide audiences through every step of the cooking process, from harvesting ingredients to serving finished dishes, blending tradition, creativity and education. Onezwa has a unique way of bringing calm to the viewer while she masterfully combines traditional Xhosa recipes with modern flair, showcasing her deep connection to the land in every meal she prepares.
Onezwa has amassed a large and engaged community drawn to her relaxed style, authenticity, and respect for sustainable living. Her work celebrates a richness that goes beyond material wealth, feeding literally from the soil while cultivating skills, knowledge, and community through her content.
In addition to her digital presence, in 2025 she hosted her first pop-up restaurant experience, A Harvest Table With Onezwa, which sold out in hours, and she announced plans to take similar events to cities across South Africa. She also owns eMandulo, a brand producing handmade and locally crafted foods inspired by her sustainable lifestyle and heritage cooking. She has announced a cookbook set to be published in 2026, marking a full-circle moment from aspiring author to published culinary voice.
Through her work, Onezwa celebrates sustainability, community, and tradition, inviting audiences to experience the beauty of homegrown food, the richness of South Africa’s culinary roots, and the joy of reconnecting with the land and what it provides. Onezwa Mbola is a creator whose wealth is measured not in possessions but in the abundance she cultivates, proving that true richness comes from what you grow, what you share, and how deeply you connect with the world around you.
