Originally commissioned by NEWF for their Story Arc, formerly known as The Plug
A journey of food and family with Tembisa Jordaan
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 — 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 — 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 her journey for what it is — unfolding by design. And 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.
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.
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.
A note from NEWF:
We are so incredibly proud of you TJ, your journey continues its inspiring path, one we look forward to watching unfolding and expanding.
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.
ABOUT STORY ARC
The NEWF Story Arc is a collection of stories that amplify, and powerfully celebrate some of the trailblazing, compelling, complex, funny, hopeful, nuanced, inspiring, passionate and hard-fought journeys of African storytellers, conservationists and scientists in the NEWF community — and beyond.
Originally named The Plug, it was rebranded me to Story Arc as part of the impact storytelling strategy I developed in 2023/2024; reimagining and aligning NEWF’s storytelling with their vision, mission and organisational culture.
These stories celebrate collective agency, and seek to share the value of community-centric impact through warm, thought-provoking narratives that highlight the richly diverse cultures, multidisciplinary talent and Indigenous knowledge systems that play a significant role in the preservation of our wild spaces, species and the communities that coexist with them.
Travel across Africa alongside these storytellers, innovators and explorers; the curious creatives, passionate peers, and radical agents of change refocusing the narratives of Africa. Visit the NEWF Story Arc here.
fieldnotes by Stefanie 
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