For UWC alumna Fatima Saib, a love of literature became the foundation for a career where food, memory and storytelling come together.

UWC alumna and author Fatima Saib brings together her love of literature, food and storytelling in The Hungry Table, exploring the memories, people and experiences that give food its meaning. Image: Supplied

When Fatima Saib arrived at the University of the Western Cape (UWC), she had no idea that a degree in literature would eventually lead her into the world of food media.

In fact, studying English was never part of her original plan. Having dreamed of becoming a fashion designer, Fatima had to rethink her future after being diagnosed with fibromyalgia while still at school. When UWC offered her a place, she chose English because it was the subject she had enjoyed most.

Then came her first lecture. Professor Mark Espin walked into the lecture hall and began speaking about literature with such passion that Fatima knew she had made the right choice. “This was where I was always meant to be,” she remembers thinking.

That moment shaped a philosophy she still carries today: follow your heart, trust your intuition and remain open to opportunities, even when they take you somewhere you never expected to go.

Today, Fatima is a creative producer, editor, recipe developer, podcaster and author of The Hungry Table. Her career has taken her from food writing and recipe development to editorial leadership and commercial content creation, including her current role as Head of Creative Commercial Content for Woolworths and TASTE, where she works at the intersection of storytelling, food and brand communication.

Foodie, storyteller and UWC alumna Fatima Saib, turns her passion for literature and food into stories that celebrate memory, culture and connection. Image: Supplied

Yet for Fatima, food has never been simply about ingredients or trends. It is about the stories that sit behind them.

During her honours year, reading Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine sparked a deeper understanding of the relationship between food, memory and human connection. It made Fatima realise that food can unlock memories, connect generations and tell stories about who we are.

She began seeing those connections in her own family. A simple cup of tea became a story about her father’s journey to Cape Town and how an act of kindness through food could change a life.

The scent of sheesh kebabs at a fair led him to a long-lost cousin, as the familiar aroma transported him back to his childhood. These are the kinds of stories that inspired The Hungry Table and continue to shape the way Fatima creates today.

Her literary background remains central to that work. Whether she is writing a recipe, producing a social media video or appearing on television, she says she is always looking for the story. It keeps her connected to the “why” behind what she creates.

For current UWC humanities students wondering where a literature degree can take them, Fatima has a simple message: “Nothing happens by chance.” The skills of reading, writing and analysis can open doors across industries.

Her own journey proves her point. Sometimes the most unexpected path can lead exactly where you were meant to be.