REMAIN TEACHABLE
A journey of food and family with Tembisa Jordaan
Tembisa talking about her Masterchef SA experience with friend Ruth Mthembu / Photo by Mnqobi Zuma
A quick search for Tembisa Jordaan yields impressive results - results that hint at her multiplicity and hardwork. A Marine Biologist by profession, an emerging documentary filmmaker, a foodie and a NEWF fellow - peeling back those layers, you realise that TJ is not just the sum of her achievements and the brief bios sprinkled across the internet - she is so much more and her vision runs deep. She defies the status quo by leaning into her power and ability while maintaining a humble soberness and practicality.
Being a Black woman in South Africa, she struggled for a long long time to accept that she could be good at everything she does - that her place in the world is defined by more than one talent or pursuit. Instead of her multiplicity representing a lack of direction, she now views it for what it is - a journey unfolding by design. And that journey is one of self-belief and overcoming the challenges of external limiting beliefs that hitch an unwelcomed ride when your dreams and visions are big.
We’ve met a handful of times over the last four years or so, the last being NEWF’s first Fellows Summit where we spent an evening talking about her film, her journey with food and what comes next. I had no idea that that conversation would become the key research for this piece, so much so that she popped me a whatsapp saying she answered lazily because we’ve spoken at such length. And now as I sit and write about TJ I think of how we tend to place those we admire on dangerous pedestals. With TJ it is hard to lose sight of reality when she is so keenly focused and aware of the need to remain teachable and open to what comes next. She is slow to define herself too specifically, honest about the challenges and passionate about the consequence and impact of any project she takes on.
A moment captured from Tembisa’s film “Ulwandle Lushile - Meeting The Tides” during a mussel harvest.
It is not enough for her film, Ulwandle Lushile - Meeting the Tides, to be the success it is. When she returns answers to the email I sent her, she briefly notes this about what this film means to her, ‘The most important thing for me is that the story is out and now the biggest work awaits - how do we change the situation that these women find themselves in? How do you leverage government programmes and external support to help them realise their dreams? It's a lot.’
Her passion for people, food and sustainable practices with communities at the heart of it is obvious. Her journey with food was bound to lead to a new opportunity - Season 4 of Masterchef South Africa. A proud moment for her, and for us as her NEWF community, one she credits with being a vital part of her journey since her support networks play a vital role in her personal and career growth. And as she faced elimination last night, one might be tempted to feel sad but for her being on MasterChef SA has been such an overwhelming and positive experience. She writes to me about how validating the experience was and how she competed not against her new MasterChef family, but herself as a cook reaching new heights in a high stress environment. She proves yet again how remaining teachable, present and passionate in her work always leads to the most beautiful human connection, growth and of course the opportunity to lean into the many, expressive hats she wears.
Tembisa fuelling her passion for food during an episode of Masterchef SA / Photo by Charlie Sperring
Her next personal goal is to one day share on South African food experiences on a platform as big as Food Network. To share about the sustainable use of food resources and the natural resources provided by our natural environments. She hopes to reflect on the history of South African food, how it became what it is and what people are eating in different parts of the country, and even continent. With that, she hopes it will include making more documentaries about our beautiful coastline.
And as she reports that she is open to whatever comes next for her and this season, she reminds us, and herself, that there is still a lot of work to be done, but that each step she takes is her daily investment.
We are so incredibly proud of you TJ - your journey continues its inspiring path, one we look forward to watching unfolding and expanding.
Tembisa on Masterchef SA / Photo by Charlie Sperring
A note from Tembisa: I dedicate my MasterChef experience in memory of my beautiful Grandmother, Nomsa Mnyele.
May she continue to rest with the angels.
MaMiya, Rhenqwa, Gcwanini, Manda lihlwini, Sijekula, Sala kulandwelwa, Bhinqel'ehlangeni, Mlambo awuwelwa, uwelwa zinkonjane ezimhlophe ezibhabha emafini!
