Andrew “Benjie” Benjamin, a 40-year-old home cook from Kimberley, has been crowned the winner of MasterChef South Africa Season 6, becoming the first contestant from the Northern Cape to take the title. The victory brings him the R1 million prize and national recognition for a province that rarely features at the centre of South African television success.
From high-voltage lines to the MasterChef bench
Benjamin, known to fellow competitors and fans as “Benjie Baby”, balances his passion for food with work maintaining hazardous high-voltage electricity transmission lines. He joined 19 other home cooks at the start of the season and quickly established himself as a consistent contender.
Early in the competition he won “Dish of the Day”, and across the season he recorded a run of strong performances that included seven challenge wins. He also claimed a R100,000 prize during an episode that celebrated Mzansi’s culinary heritage.
The final: a three-course test
In the grand finale Benjamin and fellow finalist Candice Meth of Durban were given 120 minutes to present a three-course menu reflecting their journeys through the show. Benjamin’s final menu comprised:
- Starter: pan-fried salmon with leeks and a white wine sauce
- Main: pork belly with fennel and apple purées, mushy peas and red wine jus
- Dessert: meringue, vanilla sponge, raspberry coulis, chocolate crème pâtissière and vanilla ice cream
Several elements challenged Benjamin in the closing stages, most notably a choice to intensify the apple component by baking it, which put pressure on his time. He nevertheless completed his menu within the allotted two hours.
Judges commended his work — the salmon drew praise for its execution, and judge Zola Nene described the pork belly as comparable to a dish from a fine-dining restaurant. The completed dessert rounded out a menu that secured Benjamin the title.
Signature moments and inventive dishes
Over the season Benjamin produced dishes that marked him out for creativity. One memorable course transformed instant two-minute noodles into an inventive dessert he called “Crêpes Suzette Benjette”, which won favour with judge Katlego Mlambo. Another highlight was a lamb pie that drew praise from guest judge Chef Nokx Majozi, who is based in London.
The combination of steady challenge wins and standout creations earned Benjamin a 10-minute time advantage in the final, a benefit derived from his cumulative performance through the season’s tests.
What the win means for the Northern Cape
Benjamin’s success is notable for the Northern Cape, the country’s largest and most sparsely populated province. His victory places a Kimberley resident in the national spotlight and may inspire aspiring cooks from towns and rural communities across the province to pursue culinary ambitions.
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Season final time limit | 120 minutes |
| Challenge wins this season | 7 |
| Season prize | R1,000,000 |
| Additional prize won during season | R100,000 |
Local reaction and next steps
Benjamin’s win was reported nationally and will likely generate interest among Northern Cape viewers who followed his journey. His background — combining a technical, physically demanding job with a culinary passion — underscores the varied lives of contestants who enter. The season finale pitted Benjamin against 39-year-old Candice Meth from Durban, who finished as runner-up.
As winner, Benjamin takes home the title and the prize money. The outcome is a rare celebratory moment for the Northern Cape on national television and may have a ripple effect in local kitchens, community programmes and hospitality ventures that look for stories of regional success.
The season’s judging panel and guest judges have highlighted a continued interest in home cooks who blend inventive technique with cultural and personal narratives — a trend Benjamin’s run exemplified.
For Kimberley and the wider Northern Cape, the MasterChef crown represents both an individual achievement and a small but meaningful boost to the province’s visibility on the national stage.
