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Some people are born into their passions, while others discover them over time. For Loretha, the love of cooking was inherited. Known to many Joburgers as Mama Brazil, she traces her culinary journey back to the 1980s, growing up in a bustling household where her mother worked tirelessly to feed and support their family.
From a young age, Loretha was drawn to the kitchen. Before heading to school, she would help her mother prepare meals, unknowingly laying the foundation for what would become her life’s calling. Out of eight siblings, she is the one who followed her mother’s footsteps most closely, continuing the family’s food business legacy alongside her brother, who now runs a restaurant in Brazil.
Loretha arrived in South Africa in 2005 with a completely different plan. Initially, she intended to start a shoe business, importing footwear from Brazil. But life had other plans. Her passion for cooking proved stronger, gradually pulling her back into the world she knew best. She opened the first female-owned Nigerian restaurant in one of South Africa’s busiest neighbourhoods, Kempton Park, just 10 minutes away from O.R Tambo International Airport.
“The secret to my success is passion,” she explains. “Some people cook because they have to survive, but for me, it comes from deep within.”
That passion is evident not only in her food but in her approach to people. Loretha prides herself on creating joy through her meals and values customer satisfaction deeply. “I don’t like complaints about food,” she says with a laugh. “I want people to be happy when they eat.”
Her entrepreneurial spirit emerged early. She recalls a childhood moment when she saw ice cream but couldn’t afford it. Determined, she created her own version at home and began selling it to locals. That moment revealed both her creativity and business instincts, qualities that would shape her future.
Life wasn’t always easy. After helping her mother’s business, Loretha worked as a domestic worker, hoping it would lead to educational opportunities. When that promise didn’t materialise, she carved her own path, working across the globe in countries such as Iran, Dubai, and Brazil.
It was later when she left Brazil and came to Johannesburg that she was recognised by someone who had met up with her in Brazil and referred to her as ‘Mama Brazil’. That is where the name of her restaurant comes from.
Despite her international experiences, South Africa holds a special place in her heart.
“This country is blessed,” she says. “There is peace here, and there are opportunities. You don’t have to wait for someone to give you a job, you can create something for yourself.”
Her restaurant has since become a favourite, especially among travellers near OR Tambo International Airport. During the 2010 FIFA World Cup, she was among the most sought-after cooks, serving visitors from across the globe. Today, her reach extends beyond Johannesburg, with dishes even making their way to Cape Town.
What truly sets Loretha apart is her warmth. She believes that how you treat people is just as important as the food you serve. At her restaurant, she ensures every customer feels valued—“like kings and queens”—which explains her strong base of loyal, returning patrons.
Now married to a South African, Loretha proudly calls the country home. When she’s not in her own kitchen, she enjoys dining out with family and visitors, often recommending The Big Mouth Sushi & Grill and shopping trips to Sandton and Eastgate.
Looking ahead, her ambitions stretch beyond food. Loretha dreams of starting an NGO focused on mentoring young girls, teaching them how to turn their passions into sustainable livelihoods.
Having witnessed her widowed mother raise eight children through sheer determination and a food business, Loretha firmly believes that passion and hard work are powerful tools in overcoming poverty.
“Everything in life starts with passion,” she says. “If you love what you do, you can build something meaningful—not just for yourself, but for others.”
Her restaurant, Mama Brazil African Kitchen, is located at 3A Park Street, Kempton Park CBD.
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