The Flying Foodie(Barefoot in Malawi Part 2 & Short Left to Zim)

Barefoot on the beach

Helloo Skinnies!

How are you doing? I trust you've all had a blessed week, wherever you are in the world. If you're in Johannesburg, I hope you've been keeping warm—I’ve heard it's been absolutely freezing!

So, fellow skinny readers, let’s dive right into this week’s blog: Barefoot in Malawi – Part Two.

If you read last week’s blog, you’ll know I was heading off to Lilongwe. But first—Blantyre! My brother Kumbukani has been an absolute legend, taking time to show me the city's vibrant nightlife. The Saturday started with me checking out of the Amaryllis Hotel.

Kumbu picked me up and drove me to our village in Malabvi, a 45-minute drive from Blantyre.

That moment was deep. I got to see my dad’s siblings and other relatives—it truly touched my soul.

Got to catch up with family in my home village of Malabvi

We then drove back to the city, ran some errands, squeezed in a late lunch (nothing healthy if I’m being honest, skinny readers!), and fetched my niece Vimbai. She had a meeting—she’s been chairing a school trip she organized for herself and her friends to Zimbabwe. What an intelligent young lady. I’m so proud.

While her meeting was happening, I bumped into my cousin Wezi—and wow, the way that happened was just amazing. To be honest, the itinerary has been hectic. Haha!

Catching up with Wezi

We had a late night that Sunday, bar-hopping, and only got to bed around 2 a.m. Then came the wild idea: we had booked bus coach tickets to Lilongwe, leaving at 7 a.m. Yup—very little sleep! The logic? We’d nap on the 4-hour bus ride to Lilongwe... which we sort of did.

We arrived in Lilongwe around midday. But that was just the first leg—while on the bus, we spontaneously decided to hire a car and drive straight to Salima to spend the rest of the day and night at a beach resort. (That’s a two-hour drive from Lilongwe.)

A man with a plan(Kumbu pictured above)

And let me just say—I was seriously impressed with how my brother picked up his phone and had a car hire arranged to meet us when we arrived. Everything is a phone call away with this guy. Haha!

The drive to Salima was a bit tricky, dodging potholes left and right—but hey, this is Africa, right?

What really touched me on that drive was seeing how much my country of origin—Malawi—is marked by poverty (over 80%).

But let me say this loud and proud: Malawians are not lazy people! Along the way, we saw locals transporting people and goods on bicycles. Despite it being winter, the route to Salima was hot.

Another heartbreaking moment? Seeing young girls, some as young as 15 or 16, in prostitution. That really stayed with me.

Due to poor economic conditions young girls in Malawi are forced to go into prostitution in order to make ends meet

We arrived at Sigelege Beach Resort in Salima at about 3 p.m.—and WOW. I was lost for words. It took me a moment to truly soak it all in. I was, quite literally, barefoot in Malawi.

The skinny Chef enjoying a sunset on the beach

The lovely rooms cost us 150,000.00 kwacha each (about $88 USD if you’re converting at the bank rate—or around $37.50 USD on the black-market rate, which is roughly 657 South African Rands). Lol, this is Africa after all! Haha!

And for that view? Worth every cent.The food was delightful, and I truly felt at home. Malawi really is the Warm Heart of Africa.

So next time you're thinking of a getaway, skinny readers—Malawi should be right at the top of your list. Trust me, and thank me later!

Fruit on the beach.

The next morning, we drove to Sunrise Beach Resort for lunch and a cheeky little drink (strictly H2O, by the way—haha!) before heading back to Lilongwe.

It dawned on me that I still had a few more days before going back to work. Most importantly, I still had time before reuniting with my creative director, my lover, and my best friend—Miss Leonard! Haha! So, I thought, why not take a quick short left and surprise my parents in Zimbabwe?

Ahh, Zimbabwe—my birth home.

Home sweet home- Take a Glimpse of Skinny Chefs Childhood home in Greencroft, Harare.

It’s been amazing being here: reliving old childhood memories, seeing neighbours who last saw me as a child. The only shock to the system? Everything here is in USD! So expensive—but the locals have adapted. And what can I say? In Zim, Trump’s currency rules all! 😂

Thank you all for tuning into my heartfelt trek—from Johannesburg to Malawi, with a pit stop through Zim.

Love you all. Stay healthy, stay safe, and most importantly... stay skinny! Same time, same place next week!

Creative Director :Shadre Leonard