Lucas’ dream is to become a chef, and he’s just graduated with his first professional kitchen qualification, thanks to two kind strangers who opened the door to opportunity.
Botrivier, South Africa (25 January 2026) – Lucas Letswela works in a kitchen. He learned most of what he knows on the job. Becoming a chef has always been the goal, but formal training wasn’t an option for a long time. Not because he lacked ambition, but because life didn’t leave much room for study. Lucas has been supporting his family for years, a responsibility he has carried well into his 30s.
“My dream has always been to be a chef. This started at Caledon School where I learned how to cook and understanding the development of cooking,” shares Lucas.
Sometimes, things change because of a single conversation. A few earnest words exchanged at just the right moment.
One morning, two regular guests at Wildekrans Wine Estate, Jean-Michel and Marie-Paule Curchod, ordered their usual breakfast. What caught their attention wasn’t just the food, but the care put into it. They asked to meet the person who prepared the meal.
“When they thanked Lucas, he smiled and simply said ‘I did it with love,’” the wine estate shares. “That answer stopped the couple in their tracks, as he didn’t mention any formal training courses, but has been mentored by our chef, Gordon Manuel.”
Chef Gordon Manuel had seen Lucas’ potential early on and became his first inspiration in the kitchen.
“He has taught me so many things that I never knew,” says Lucas.
After breakfast, the Curchods asked a question that changed everything. They asked Lucas if he’d ever want to study further. He said yes straight away, though he never believed it was something he could realistically afford. As the main provider for his family, formal training felt out of reach.
But with a little help from two kind strangers, it suddenly wasn’t.
“Jean-Michel and Marie-Paule paid for a 13-week professional kitchen assistant course for Lucas at the Sense of Taste Chef School in Cape Town. They bought his knife set. They organised and paid for transport – a 180 km round trip every Monday – and worked with our head chef to make sure Lucas could balance work and study.”
Lucas didn’t miss a single class. He’s now graduated with his first internationally recognised diploma.
“My family was very excited for the journey and supported me very well – giving me enough space to study and do my homework. To my other family members, the Curchods, I want to say thank you for your warm hearts and for seeing something in me and helping to uplift me in life. I am very grateful, and speechless,” says Lucas.
Jean-Michel and Marie-Paule say they simply wanted to give back to a country that has given them so much joy. They try to be ‘hands, eyes and ears’ when an opportunity to help presents itself.
“This feels like one of those stories that reminds us why kindness still matters, and how quietly it can change a life — what a massive difference it can make. We are exceptionally proud of Lucas and can’t wait to see what his future holds,” shares the wine estate.
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