Healthy kota contest reaches critical stage

05 October 2015

 

The search for Johannesburg’s healthiest kota (bunny chow) is almost over.

 

Seven Johannesburg kota traders will on Saturday October 10 compete for the top prize in the City of Johannesburg’s Go Jozi Fortified Kota Challenge during the competition’s finals at the HTA School of Culinary Art in Randburg.

 

The seven – Bongani Nyathi (Region A), Carol Dooms (Region B), Lindiwe Nonyukela (Region C), Thato Molotsane (Region D), Troy Nkosi (Region E), Nkosinathi Ntsongwana (Region F) and Nombulelo Xoseka (Region G) – proceeded to the finals after beating 13 other contestants during the competition’s semifinals at the same venue on Saturday October 3.

 

For their efforts, the seven were each presented with a two-plate gas stove and 9kg gas cylinder. The other 13 semifinalists won branded wall clocks. The semifinals’ judges – who included dietician and Chow Nutritional Solutions CEO Stefan van der Merwe, Healthy Kota Challenge Coordinator Rose Mabe and Go Jozi Lifestyle Programmes Coordinator Simon Motsusi – had a difficult task judging the entries.

 

“The scores were very close and the standard was very high,” said Van der Merwe. “I’m very happy that the contestants incorporated some of our suggestions after the last round to make their kotas healthier. It will be very interesting what they come up with for the final.”

 

Said Motsusi: “Everyone is a winner today. You are all ambassadors of our healthy living and lifestyle programmes. Go back to your communities and spread the word.”

 

An elated Molotsane, whose kota was voted the best on the day, said the competition was a great experience.

 

“People are more health conscious now and this will go a long way in helping to get everyone healthier. It might take a while to convince everyone to embrace a healthy kota but we’ll get there eventually.”

 

Nyathi said the competition had raised awareness about the importance of a healthy lifestyle.

 

“This gives us healthy options for our customers,” he said.

 

Nonyukela impressed the judges with her tasty beef stir-fry kota, complete with red plastic cutlery.

 

“This is my best-seller. My customers love this kota. I work from a container in Snake Park and open until 3am sometimes,” she said.

 

The Healthy Kota Challenge is one of Executive Mayor Cllr Parks Tau’s initiatives to promote healthy eating and fight chronic diseases and conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and heart ailments and to substantially increase the city’s life expectancy.

 

The aim of the challenge is to:

• Improve the nutritional value of the kota;

• Curb the increase in non-communicable diseases;

• Raise awareness and promote healthy eating habits;

• Engage kota traders to influence positive change; and

• Position Johannesburg as a caring city.

 

The overall winner, to be named on Saturday, will walk away with a gold medal, a branded chef’s uniform and a R20 000 catering-equipment voucher. The first runner-up will win a R10 000 voucher and a silver medal, whereas the second will be presented with a R5 000 voucher and a bronze medal. The rest will each receive R2 000 vouchers and a Mandela recipe book.

 

The final will be presided over by a master chef. The City will provide all the finalists with ingredient