It was a double celebration for the Sydow sisters this week when they launched their second cookbook, while one of the famous twins also got engaged.
Twins Fatima Sydow and Gadija Sydow Noordien, 45, launched their new book, called Cape, Curry and Koeksisters on Monday night at the Centre for the Book in Cape Town.
But Fatima says her cooking preparations for the launch came to a standstill on Sunday when her “best friend” popped the BIG question.
The two met 10 years ago and literally fell for each other while jogging on the beach.
“My fiancé doesn’t even want me to identify him in this article, but I will say his name is R. Joshua and he is 43 years old and from Lansdowne,” the famous cook tells the Daily Voice.
She says they bumped into each other on the Sea Point Promenade a decade ago and never left each other’s side since.
“I was a lifeguard at Sea Point Pavillion at the time and I was jogging on the beach.
“He was also jogging, but we never saw each other and rammed into each other and fell so hard; he rushed to pick me up and checked if I was OK,” she says.
“We knew there was a special spark all along, but we remained friends first.”
This will be Fatima’s second marriage and she bursts out laughing when we ask about her engagement ring.
“Do you know my engagement ring only cost R15 and is from the Chinese shop?
“I told him that if ever he should propose to me one day, I don’t want an expensive ring because I always think of how many children I could have fed with that money.
“Also I use my hands for cooking every day, and I don’t like to wear a ring.
“He respected my wishes and got this cute ring and went down on one knee. I immediately said ‘yes’.”
They are still deciding on a wedding date, she adds.