I have had the privilege of knowing Denzhe Makungo for years, and seeing his journey unfold, from the classroom to becoming one of the most relatable and beloved lifestyle creators—has been genuinely inspiring.
Today, Denzhe has built a loyal online community through his delicious home-cooked meals, infectious humour and real Venda authenticity.
His platform has grown into a celebration of everyday life, which shows that audiences connect most with creators who simply show up as themselves.
For this edition of TJR 100 Creators, I caught up with Denzhe to reflect on balancing content creation with a full-time career as an actuarial analyst, and the lessons he’s learned along the way.
I’ve watched your journey over the years, and seeing your social media profile grow has been incredible. Share how the journey has been and at what point did you discover your passion for food content creation?
The journey has been interesting, to say the least. I never anticipated that so many people would be interested in my cooking to the point where I’d end up working with brands I grew up using. It’s been incredibly rewarding to see something that started so organically turn into opportunities I never imagined.
That said, I actually see myself as more of a lifestyle creator than purely a food content creator. Food is a big part of my content because it’s a big part of who I am, but I also love sharing experiences, travel, fitness, and everyday life.
The shift towards food content happened about two years ago when I posted a video of myself cooking pap, pumpkin leaves, and atchar.
It wasn’t intended to be a recipe video—it was simply me sharing a meal I grew up eating and giving people a glimpse into my background.
The response was overwhelming, and that’s when I realized people connected with the authenticity and the stories behind the food just as much as the food itself. Since then, I’ve continued to lean into that authenticity, and it’s opened doors I never expected.
What makes your food videos stand out isn’t just the food, it’s your personality. You’re funny, relatable, and you’ve somehow made your followers feel like they’re part of your family. Was that always intentional, or did it happen naturally?
It’s lovely that you see my page that way—thank you. Honestly, it wasn’t intentional. Social media is just an extension of who I am.
I love people, and I always want those around me to be in a good mood, so that energy naturally comes through in my content. If people feel like they’re part of the family, then I know I’m doing something right.
How do you decide what’s worth sharing and what remains just for you?
To be honest, I don’t really have a formula. I share whatever feels right in the moment and what feels authentic to me. So, I do like to keep parts of my life private, especially when it comes to my family and close friends. Having that balance is important to me.
You’re incredibly confident on camera, yet many creators admit they struggle with self-doubt behind the scenes. Have you always been this comfortable being yourself online, or was that confidence something you had to build?
Every video I post comes with some level of self-doubt. But with every positive response, that doubt fades a little more, and I’ve learned to trust myself.
I’ve also been incredibly fortunate to have people, both online and offline, who constantly encourage and believe in me.
That said, I’ve always had a quiet confidence. I’m actually quite shy, but I’ve never been afraid to fail—and I think that’s made all the difference.
People often assume content creation is easy, but you’re balancing it with a full-time career. What does a typical day look like for you, and how do you make both worlds work? Also enlighten us on what your full time job is.
By profession, I’m an actuarial analyst, so content creation isn’t my full-time job. During the week, my focus is on work, studying for my board exams, and the gym, so I rarely create content.
Weekends are usually dedicated to filming. If I do shoot during the week, it often means sacrificing a gym session. I also wake up at 5:30 a.m. and start work by 6:30 a.m. to create a bit of extra time later in the day.
There’s no perfect routine yet—I’m still figuring it out. I simply make time where I can without letting my career or studies suffer.
Many people think creators earn easy money because they only see the finished video. What are some of the real costs, whether it’s equipment, ingredients, or time, that people don’t appreciate?
I think the biggest cost isn’t the groceries—because I genuinely enjoy the food—it’s the time. A filming day can easily start at 12 p.m. and end at 6 p.m., and that’s before I’ve even started editing.
People also don’t always realise that content creators are essentially running a full production. We’re responsible for the entire process—from coming up with the idea, planning and filming, to editing and publishing. It takes far more effort than simply posting a video.
There’s also no guarantee the content will perform well. You can spend hours creating something, only for it not to resonate with your audience. That’s one of the realities of content creation that people don’t always see.
What’s the biggest financial lesson content creation has taught you that you wish you knew when you first started?
The biggest lesson has been to budget, budget, budget. Plan your purchases and always shop with a list—otherwise you’ll end up buying things you don’t need.
I’ve also learned not to let money sit in my account without giving it a purpose. As a creator, income can be unpredictable, so it’s important to allocate your money intentionally. If you don’t tell your money where to go, you’ll eventually wonder where it all went.
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