Meet the Team
Dennis Molewa
Founder | Food Storyteller | Social Entrepreneur
Dennis Anees Molewa is a food storyteller, chef, and social entrepreneur dedicated to preserving culinary heritage and advancing greater social equity within the food industry.
Through Unexplored Cape Town, he designs culturally rooted food experiences that connect travellers with the people behind the food, including small local businesses, migrant entrepreneurs, and community food traditions that shape the city’s culinary identity.
With a background in communication, Dennis specialises in strategy and advocacy for food brands and small food businesses in Cape Town.
He leads a globally recognised heritage food tour celebrating Cape Town’s African culinary heritage and informal food economies. The experience has received international attention and was featured in the New York Times 36 Hour Cape Town itinerary.
Dennis has worked closely with food entrepreneurs through initiatives including Grow SA, Afrifoodlinks, and Oribi, contributing to the design of food systems incubation programmes supporting emerging urban food businesses.
He also advocates for a more inclusive and responsible tourism economy through his Tourism 2.0 initiatives.
In 2024 he founded the African Business Fund to support marginalised African food entrepreneurs in Cape Town.
Aviwe Macothoza
Food Experience Host | Operations Coordinator
Aviwe Macothoza is a marketing professional with a postgraduate diploma in marketing from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology and a digital marketing qualification from the Red and Yellow Creative School of Business. With experience in social entrepreneurship, he has worked in community engagement, enterprise development, and digital marketing, reflecting his commitment to supporting local growth and meaningful connections.
Fluent in isiXhosa, isiZulu, siSwati, and English, Aviwe bridges cultures with ease and connects naturally with diverse audiences. His love for food, gardening, and hiking has shaped his appreciation for fresh ingredients and the stories they hold from the soil to the plate.
In 2025, Aviwe joined Unexplored Cape Town as a freelance food experience host and guide assistant. Alongside his training as a food tour host, he supports guides on tours and assists the team with capacity planning and business development. At Unexplored, he channels his passion for food and the outdoors into immersive culinary experiences that highlight Cape Town’s rich heritage.
Shihaam Isaacs
Food Experience Host | Spice Queen
Shihaam Isaacs is a qualified tour guide accredited by the Western Cape Department of Tourism and works as a guide and culinary host with Unexplored Cape Town.
She began collaborating with Dennis Molewa in 2024 as a chef for Unexplored’s Cape Malay and Creole cooking classes. With more than three years of experience hosting spice presentations, Shihaam has become known for sharing the stories, traditions, and techniques behind Cape Muslim cuisine.
A passionate home cook and caterer, she specialises in traditional Cape Malay/Creole dishes and South African Indian flavours. Her deep knowledge of spices and her ability to prepare dishes from scratch have earned her the affectionate nickname “Spice Queen”.
Known for her warmth and enthusiasm, Shihaam is both a talented chef and a natural storyteller who brings Cape Town’s Cape Muslim culinary heritage to life for guests.
Lonwabo Mfenguza
Food Experience Host | Geo-tourism Graduate
Lonwabo Mfenguza is a qualified tour guide accredited by the Western Cape Department of Tourism and works as a freelance food tour host with Unexplored Cape Town.
With over eight years of experience in food production, ecotourism, and conservation, Lonwabo combines academic knowledge with practical expertise in sustainable agriculture and tourism. He holds a National Diploma in Plant Production and a Bachelor’s degree in Geography and Tourism from the University of the Western Cape, and is currently completing a postgraduate qualification in education.
Dennis first met Lonwabo through his work establishing the Ekasi Project Green community garden and his involvement as a volunteer with Slow Food South Africa. These experiences reflect his deep commitment to sustainable food systems and community-led food initiatives.
A proud Xhosa speaker, Lonwabo is passionate about sharing South Africa’s diverse food cultures, histories, and traditions. Fluent in Xhosa, English, and Zulu, he is a natural communicator who creates meaningful connections with guests through engaging storytelling.
His previous experience includes supervising operations at Spier Wine Estate and guiding township tours, reflecting his strong commitment to responsible tourism and community development.
Fezekisa Wulana
Food Experience Host | Storyteller
Fezekisa Wulana, known as Fez, is a qualified tour guide accredited by the Western Cape Department of Tourism and works as a freelance food experience host with Unexplored Cape Town.
A playwright and director with an honours degree in Theatre, Dance, and Performance from the University of Cape Town, Fez brings a strong background in storytelling and performance to his work as a guide. His journey in the arts began at Puo Media in Pretoria, where he trained under the late Sibusiso Khwinana and performed in productions including The Crucible.
His first major play, Mfundisi Must Die, showcased his talent for powerful storytelling and creative expression.
At Unexplored, Fez combines his artistic background with his passion for cultural heritage, guiding guests through Cape Town’s diverse food cultures with insight, humour, and engaging stories that bring the city’s history and communities to life.
Janop SOlomons
Cape Malay/Creole Cooking Class Facilitator
Janop Solomons is a Cape Town original and a passionate Cape Malay home cook and baker, known for her deep love of tradition, flavour, and hospitality. Rooted in generations of culinary knowledge, Janop brings Cape Malay and Creole food culture to life through the dishes she creates and the stories she shares.
She leads Cape Malay/Creole cooking classes that offer guests an immersive, hands-on introduction to the spices, techniques, and heritage of the cuisine. In addition to teaching, Janop runs a small baking business where she specialises in custom-made cakes and traditional confectioneries.
As a long-standing and invaluable member of the Unexplored family, Janop plays a key role in making our cooking classes real and authentic. Her deep knowledge of the food traditions within the Cape Muslim community, as well as her expertise in Cape Malay/Creole cuisine, gives guests a truly meaningful and delicious experience.
Nadja Agherdine
Food Tour Host | Tour Guide
Nadja Agherdine is a qualified tour guide and tour operator with a strong commitment to cultural preservation and community engagement. Her journey in heritage work began with the Salt River Heritage Society, where she currently serves as vice chairperson, actively working to safeguard the neighbourhood’s rich historical and cultural legacy. Through her efforts, Nadja has played a key role in sharing Salt River’s stories with both local residents and visitors.
She is also the co-founder of Neighbourhood Gardens – Just Grow Food, a grassroots initiative that promotes urban gardening, food sovereignty, and community development. In addition, Nadja is an active committee member of the Mughammaddiyah Masjid in Salt River, where she helps lead various cultural and social initiatives.
As a tour guide and food tour host, Nadja occasionally leads our Cape Malay/Creole cooking classes and assists with our food tours. Her experience, deep local knowledge, and high level of expertise make her an invaluable member of the Unexplored family. Since 2024, she has also served on the board of directors of The African Food Business Fund, contributing to efforts that support and uplift African-owned food businesses in Cape Town.
George Owira
George Owira Financial Expert | Food Entrepreneur
George Owira is a certified tax practitioner, accountant, and financial expert with a strong focus on entrepreneurship and business development. He brings a wealth of experience in financial planning, compliance, and strategy—skills that have made him a trusted advisor to many emerging entrepreneurs.
George is the co-founder of Meeting Point, an iconic Tanzanian restaurant based in Cape Town that has become a beloved space for both locals and visitors. His passion for food and community-building, paired with his deep financial knowledge, reflects his commitment to strengthening African food entrepreneurship from the ground up.
One of George’s key values is inclusivity and fairness, ensuring that all voices are heard and supported, especially in the food industry. Since 2024, he has served on the board of directors of The African Food Business Fund, a small NPC that supports and enables African food businesses in Cape Town. He joined the board to help establish a solid financial foundation from which the organisation can grow and thrive.
George is also an invaluable member of the Unexplored family. His expertise in food entrepreneurship, financial acumen, commitment to inclusivity, and unwavering integrity contribute greatly to our work and the sustainability of our broader vision.