From Victoria Street Market to TV and the kitchen: Prim Reddy’s extraordinary journey - IOL

Prim Reddy, a former television presenter, businesswoman, and author.

FROM mixing spices at her family’s shop at the market to becoming a familiar face on South African television, building a restaurant and being an international award-winning author, Primodhini “Prim” Reddy’s journey has been anything but ordinary.

 The 53-year-old, from Cape Town, was recently appointed a Dame of the Order of Saint Stanislaus. 

It is a chivalric order of knighthood with historic roots in Poland and a symbol of the highest honour, awarded to those who selflessly dedicate their lives to improving the well-being of others. 

Reddy shared her journey that started in Cato Manor.

She was born in Cato Manor and her family later moved to Isipingo. 

Her parents, Sada and Logie Reddy (both late), owned spice shops at the Victoria Street Market, where she and her two siblings, Kuven and Loshini (now late), spent most of their childhood. 

“The market is where I say I received my education: learning mathematics, trading, and developing my personality,” said Reddy.  

At age eight, she was already mixing spices, and recalled watching her mother and aunt roast ingredients such as fried onions, methi, mustard seeds, and garlic to make vadavam (a traditional South Indian sun-dried seasoning), and leaving them out to dry. When it was ready, she and her siblings packed them to be sold at the family’s shop. 

“We had a simple but beautiful childhood,” said Reddy, adding that food was a great part of her childhood, and that on Sunday mornings the aroma of a chicken curry often filled their home. 

At a young age, her parents, especially her dad, taught her important values. 

“He used to say ‘pride draws the cloak of humility’ and that one must be able to sit at a table with both kings and peasants because today's beggars are tomorrow’s bankers and vice versa. 

“My dad believed everyone must be treated with the same level of respect. He also said be careful of who you tramp on the way up, because those would be the same hands you have to hold on the way down. Those words stuck with me throughout my journey,” she said. 

Reddy attended Isipingo Heights Primary School until Grade 3 (Standard 1), and thereafter St Anthony’s Catholic Primary School.

She took a keen interest in speech and drama as it encouraged confidence and allowed for creative expression. 

After she matriculated from Durban Girls High School in 1990, she completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication through the University of South Africa. 

While presenting on the show, Impressions.

In 1991, while at a salon, she met Ramu Gobidayal, a television pioneer and the first executive producer of a groundbreaking Indian magazine programme broadcast on the SABC called Impressions. 

“At the time, well-known hairstylist Shirley Naidoo’s salon, Hair Sensation, was based across the road from the market. While there, she introduced me to Ramu, and he invited me to audition for the programme at the recording studio in Durban. I had never been to an audition, nor had I thought about entering the television industry, but I gave it a try and was successful. 

“I always told myself, no matter what industry I entered, I would work to a point where I would shine and stand out. I was going to be a name that people knew, and not forgotten.” 

She said she loved presenting, especially having her hair and makeup professionally done, and dressing up. 

“Being in front of the camera was initially quite scary, but I quickly got the hang of it. While my parents were proud of me, my dad still insisted I work in the shop.” 

In 1994, she auditioned for a job as a continuity presenter for the SABC.

“They were looking for presenters from all race groups. My mother did not want me to go, as it meant relocating to Johannesburg and she feared for my safety. 

However, my dad encouraged me. He said I could always return if I was unhappy.” 

After getting the job, Reddy was initially a presenter on SABC 1, thereafter moving to SABC 2 and SABC 3 until leaving in 2007. 

“I developed a strong fan base, and my rankings were high. I blossomed in those years, emceeing for events such as the launch of ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire South Africa’ and ‘Coca-Cola Popstars’. It was quite an out-of-this-world experience.” 

During this time, she was also a presenter on Radio 702 and CapeTalk. 

“I had a show on the weekend and interviewed people, including Jay Naidoo, an activist and former South African minister, and Dr Ali Bacher, a legendary South African cricketer. During this time, I completed my MBA at Oxford Brookes University.”  

Reddy relocated to Cape Town, and worked as a human resources manager in the manufacturing division of The Foschini Group from 2009 until 2011.

“I enjoyed my time with the group, interacting with people and building relationships, but I read something that made me think: ‘If you don’t follow your dreams, someone is going to pay you to follow theirs’. By then I had already achieved a lot, but I believed I could do more. 

“While working, I was still doing guest appearances on shows, one of which was a cooking show with Saffron TV on DSTV. I always loved cooking and the calmness and joy it brought, but also the happiness to those that ate my food. This is when I decided to embark on a new adventure.” 

Reddy opened the restaurant, Indian Chapter, in 2012. 

“I learnt of this failing restaurant that was for sale, and I bought it. I did not know anything about running a restaurant, and I did not have anyone to show me the ropes, but I knew I could bring people together. 

“I remember walking into the restaurant and saying to the staff, ‘I may not know what you know, and you may not know what I know, but let us teach each other’. They agreed. 

“We grew together, and from a 60-seater we became a 120-seater restaurant and were fully booked weeks in advance. The restaurant became so popular and loved that it won best Indian eatery several years in a row.

“However, the COVID-19 pandemic made us shut our doors. I was devastated. But my team needed me, so I approached my family. They opened a restaurant at a smaller premises, but under the same name later that same year. I have since been managing it,” she said.

Reddy is now known as the “celebrity singing chef” and the “hostess with the mostest”. 

“I always loved singing. I once met a karaoke DJ, and she said there was a song for every voice. We have a nice sound system at the restaurant, so one day I decided to sing. The crowd loved it and often didn't want to leave at closing time. So, now I sing on Thursdays and Saturdays. Music is like food and love. It just brings people together.” 

She also published a cookbook, Temptations, in 2020. 

“A publishing company approached me with the opportunity to write a book. It was an amazing journey compiling the book, as every recipe had a story behind it. Some were the recipes that I ate as a child, while others were my own creations. The recipes are easy to replicate, and one of my signature dishes is braised crayfish and calabash.”  

Reddy is now working on a cooking show, ‘Reddy to Cook’. 

“A long-time friend who owns a production company approached me about a show. We have already filmed eight episodes, and it has been great. I can’t wait for it to be broadcast.” 

She has received several awards, including best television presenter in the early 2000s. 

Her restaurant has scooped Best Indian Eatery in the Eat Out Awards in Cape Town, and she received an international culinary award for the best newcomer cookbook in the national leg of the International Gourmand Awards. 

For Reddy, the honour represents more than a title. 

“For me, true recognition is meaningful when it reflects a life committed to serving others. Now, I have access to a broader international network which will enable me to make a true impact. 

“Being able to give back has always been an important part of my journey. I have been actively involved with a children’s home in Cape Town, among other work. I recently raised over R200 000 during an auction where I would cook for a family in their home. I will now be able to do more for others, which gives me immense joy.” 

Her appointment will culminate in an official knighting ceremony in Cape Town in February 2027, where Reddy will formally receive her insignia and be invested as a Dame.

Reddy said she wanted to be remembered as someone who helped others and hoped this would inspire others.