* Image courtesy of Soweto Sunrise
Kotas are a staple for many in South Africa. Born in the townships, this carb-rich meal is filling, nutritious and a flavourful dish that every Kota kitchen puts their own twist on. Recently, Parmalat celebrated the flavour, creativity, and ingenuity behind this dish through its Kota King or Queen Competition. Who was crowned royalty?
Currently in its second year, the cooking competition had six nominees from Soweto-based businesses test their culinary skills live at Maponya Mall. The Parmalat Kota King/Queen Competition was brought together by Parmalat and Kasie FM. The competition commenced at 00:00 on Monday, 25 August 2025, and ended on 27 September 2025 on Jozi FM, where the final winners were announced.
The winners were as follows:
First place: Julia Hobyane, owner of Dinah’s Kitchen, the 2025 Parmalat Kota Queen, winning the R 20 000 cash prize.
Second place: Mthokozisi Ngcobo of Le Phonic, winning R 5 000.
Third place: Eunice Moshane of Kasi Flavour, who won R 2 000.
All six finalists received a branding make-over for their Kota outlet to the value of R 50 000, including a fresh coat of paint, new Parmalat signage, printed menus, and an upgraded seating area for customers, complete with benches and umbrellas.
Scoring The Winning Kota
Nominees were nominated via Kasie FM’s WhatsApp channel, whereafter the top finalists were determined. After being nominated, the top six finalists gathered at the Maponya Mall for three rounds that made up the competition.
The first round required finalists to creatE traditional Kota dishes that highlight sauces and spices. The second round challenged them to incorporate a mystery ingredient, merging township tradition with Michelin-style flair. The final round, dubbed uGabadiya!, pushed the contestants to unleash their creativity, showcasing their personal, signature dishes and inventive presentations.
Each dish in every round was scored for:
- Taste and flavour,
- creativity,
- cheese integration (provided by the competition sponsor, Parmalat),
- presentation, and
- uniqueness of the cooking method.
Backing Local Entrepreneurs
Monè Gerryts, Marketing Manager for Parmalat Cheese at Lactalis South Africa, commented: “At Parmalat, we’re committed to partnering with South Africans to build a better tomorrow. The Parmalat Kota King or Queen competition aims to celebrate and support the small business owners who bring communities together through food, uplifting local talent and flavour, one Kota and Parmalat cheese slice at a time.”
The competition is part of Parmalat’s broader initiative to develop communities by supporting small businesses and recognising the entrepreneurs behind these popular Kota outlets.
Kota Business
Kotas’ popularity has made it a lucrative business opportunity, especially in townships where the street food still thrives. But it has also spread out to other shopping centres and food trucks.
One thing the competition highlights is that kota businesses need to show their own personal touch in each dish. This is a vital element for market differentiation, especially in places where the competition for the same product or type of business can be relatively high.
Creativity, such as that celebrated by the Kota King or Queen Competition, highlights how these six entrepreneurs have employed innovation and personal flair to make them highly regarded establishments in their communities. This is an excellent example of how businesses show market differentiation, increase their competitiveness and ensure they respond to their customers’ demands.
Other entrepreneurs who are interested in starting a business selling kotas need to understand that although it is a profitable venture, there are many compliance requirements. Working with food for public consumption means applying for a food license.
Depending on your premises and where you are located, you will also need to follow up with your local municipality on what the necessary requirements are to adhere to local bylaws.
Kota’s are more than just food. It is the vehicle to transmit culture to other parts of the country, as well as a vibrant and lucrative business idea. The three winners of the Kota King or Queen Competition can attest to how these elements have contributed to their overall success.
If you would like to know more about business opportunities in the food industry, consider reading our article about starting an ice cream business and the various equipment it entails. You are sure to find what you need.
