Popular South African chef and TV personality, Lesego Semenya, has died from complications of coronavirus – it was announced on Twitter on Monday, July 12.
Condolences are pouring in from around the world for the Joburg-based chef (39 years old) who broke the news that he contracted the virus a few days ago on social media.
On July 9 he tweeted: “Day 5. Still fighting this Covid demon whilst living with a comorbidity. I’m OK, loads of medication and keeping positive. Thank you to those who keep checking up on me. Dr reckons I’ve seen the worst of it now and it’s just about recovery and rest now.”
Semenya was passionate about his cooking and his food, on his blog he shared moments of his journey. “Taking the Snobbery out of Food since 2009,” was his tagline.
“Firstly I’m not going to use that “I’ve cooked since I was 4 years old and I was born to do this” blah blah blah nonsense. I’m a former Process Engineer. I used to wear a tie and suit everyday for 6 years before the “madness” hit me. I’m from Soweto, from a family of boys, didn’t spend my youth in the kitchen but outside playing soccer or reading books about aliens and stuff. I decided to travel South Africa for a year after I quit the corporate scene and once I got tired of that I enrolled at one of South Africa’s best culinary colleges, Prue Leith Chef’s Academy (www.prueleith.co.za) , in June 2009 where I studied towards a Grande Diploma in Food and Wine (basically I’m a chef with an expensive signed cardboard that says I am).”
On Monday, when news of his death was shared on Twitter, his fans were shocked to hear of his demise.
“I’m truly lost for words! Just the other day, we were wishing Lesego a speedy recovery. This is unfathomable! Rest in peace @LesDaChef,” read one.
“Currently home isolating, trying to recover from Covid. Was diagnosed a few days after Lesego. Seeing his last tweet gave me hope when I was anxious about my own recovery. Now these news. I’m unraveling,” said one Tweet.
ALSO READ: Doctor pens emotional letter to South Africans about pandemic
