Eswatini’s food scene has a new reason to celebrate, as local culinary innovator Neliswa Nkala, widely known as Mrs M, is proudly featured in the latest edition of Food & Home Magazine in South Africa. Her story is one of passion, heritage, and creativity, and her feature in such a prominent lifestyle publication is proof that Eswatini’s voices in food are making waves far beyond the nation’s borders.
From accounting to artistry, Mrs M’s journey is anything but conventional. A qualified accountant by training, she left behind stock exchange spreadsheets to pursue a growing passion for food, storytelling, and indigenous innovation. In 2018, she founded Mrs M Decadent Pleasures, a brand that marries indulgent flavours with cultural narratives. What began as a playful side hobby quickly became her purpose—a mission to reclaim indigenous ingredients and reimagine them for modern palates.
“I see food as more than nourishment,” she shared in the feature. “It’s a canvas for identity, creativity, and impact.”
Her bold approach has already captured attention at major platforms such as MTN Bushfire and the Standard Bank Luju Food & Lifestyle Festival, where she’s headlined dessert masterclasses and wowed audiences with her distinctive creations. Among her standout innovations is the now-iconic Marula Cheesecake, inspired by Eswatini’s Buganu Festival. This show-stopping dessert, made with the beloved marula fruit, is more than a dish—it’s a love letter to her heritage.
But this is only the beginning. She’s currently working on her first cookbook, a celebration of African fusion that promises to bring Eswatini’s flavours to the global stage. “It’s about cultural legacy,” she says. “Our ancestors left us a blueprint for vitality and sustainability. I’m simply picking it up and adding a creative twist.” Her feature in Food & Home Magazine is a proud moment not only for Mrs M but also for Eswatini. It shines a spotlight on the country’s rich culinary heritage and growing creative industries. With every dish she creates and every story she tells, Mrs M is proving that Eswatini has a place at the global table—one slice of marula cheesecake at a time.
“The process wasn’t just about developing a recipe,” she explained. “I was carrying culture.”
The Food & Home article highlights how Mrs M is changing the way we think about African food. She challenges the perception of indigenous ingredients as “poor man’s food” and instead positions them as treasures of story, healing, and identity. Through dishes like blackjack tartlets, pumpkin-leaf pizzas, and marula ice cream, she is proving that Africa’s culinary traditions belong at the fine-dining table and in global food conversations.
Her advocacy for indigenous innovation is resonating far and wide. Social media has been a powerful tool in amplifying her voice, with over 60,000 followers across platforms and millions of impressions on her content. Each post is more than just a recipe reveal—it’s storytelling, rooted in heritage and shared with the world.
Recognition has followed. Mrs M has been honoured with the Blue Sheroes Award by Standard Bank, acknowledged by the Taiwan Africa Vegetable Initiative, and entrusted with major culinary moments, such as baking over 1,500 desserts for the Central Bank of Eswatini’s Golden Jubilee. She also hosts Cooking with Mrs M on Eswatini TV, where she continues to share her creativity and connect with audiences at home.
Photo Cred: emasayi
But this is only the beginning. She’s currently working on her first cookbook, a celebration of African fusion that promises to bring Eswatini’s flavours to the global stage. “It’s about cultural legacy,” she says. “Our ancestors left us a blueprint for vitality and sustainability. I’m simply picking it up and adding a creative twist.”
Her feature in Food & Home Magazine is a proud moment not only for Mrs M but also for Eswatini. It shines a spotlight on the country’s rich culinary heritage and growing creative industries. With every dish she creates and every story she tells, Mrs M is proving that Eswatini has a place at the global table—one slice of marula cheesecake at a time.
