TV chef Lesego Semenya's death sends shockwaves through South Africa

• According to online reports, former Top Chef South Africa judge and author of Dijo: My Food, My Journey, Lesego Semenya, has died.
• Lesego, who also appeared in Mzansi Magic's Celebrity Mystery Box, tested positive for Covid-19 last week Tuesday.
• Lesego's partner, Sisipho Gcanga, tweeted shortly after reports of his death first surfaced: "This is so unfair."

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According to online reports, TV chef and cookbook author Lesego Semenya, popularly known as LesDaChef, has died. 

Lesego's partner, Sisipho Gcanga, tweeted on Monday: "Sweet dreams Mr Baby," along with an announcement of his death. "This is so unfair," she said in a separate tweet.

Last week Tuesday, Lesego, who had comorbidities, tweeted that he had tested positive for Covid-19. "I double-mask. I don't go anywhere. I keep faraway from other humans. Had cancelled all public and private appearances. Put most of my business on hold. But here it is, [sic]" he said. 

The former Top Chef South Africa judge regularly updated his followers on his condition and, on Wednesday, said: "Sticking with the meds given and recommended to me by my Dr and pharmacist. So far I'm doing well. [sic]" 

Appearing to be in good spirits on Friday, he in a final update to his 113 000 followers said: "Dr reckons I've seen the worst of it now and it's just about recovery and rest now."

Born and raised in Soweto, Lesego left a corporate career in 2008 to pursue his passion for food and enrolled at the renowned Prue Leith Culinary Institute in Centurion.

He qualified with a Grande Diploma in Food and Wine and five other international level diplomas in wine and patisserie.

In November 2018, Lesego released his first-ever cookbook titled Dijo: My Food, My Journey,  which became a bestseller. He also judged and hosted several TV and radio shows about food and the culinary industry. 

Over the years, he has worked as a personal chef for, among others, Howard Buffett (Warren Buffett's son) and prepared food for The British High Commission. 

On 30 June, Lesego excitedly told his social media followers that he had obtained the rights his cookbook, and would be self-publishing going forward.