Born and raised in Port Elizabeth (Soweto-on-Sea), Phakamisa Kolisi’s journey into the culinary world began out of both necessity and passion. Orphaned in his teens, he took on responsibility for his younger brother and soon discovered cooking as a way to express creativity and provide. In 2007, Phakamisa earned a scholarship to Umzi Wethu, a distinguished hospitality academy, where he learned not just cooking, but life lessons—discipline, teamwork, and the demands of service.

Over the past 15 years, Phakamisa sharpened his craft in fine dining environments both locally and abroad—working in luxury lodges, game reserves, and sophisticated kitchens. Eventually, he “threw in his lot” to open Phaka Restaurant in Richmond Hill, turning his vision into reality. ‘Phaka’ means “to dish out”, a perfect metaphor for the love, care, and flavour he dishes up every time.

At Phaka, guests can expect more than a meal—they can expect an experience: beautifully plated dishes that fuse African roots with classical technique, warm service, and a celebration of local talent. Phakamisa is especially passionate about empowering young people, hiring staff under 25, and continuously investing in improving service and detail.