Joe Blog

As part of the 2025 Diabetes Summit in South Africa (SA), co-hosted by the Diabetes Alliance, the national Department of Health, World Health Organisation SA, South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) and the World Diabetes Foundation, PAN South Africa is proud to present a pre-summit workshop in the form of a cooking class titled “Food is Medicine”, an exclusive hands-on experience designed for healthcare professionals.

South Africa is experiencing a rapidly escalating diabetes crisis, with many people living with undiagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Even after diagnosis, both patients and healthcare professionals struggle with practical guidance on lifestyle modification. Lifestyle modification is the first-line therapy for T2DM. Yet, doctors and health professionals often lack adequate nutrition education, particularly in practical, culturally relevant plant- based dietary patterns, which hinders their ability to counsel patients effectively.

This is where the Food is Medicine Cooking Class steps in.Led by PAN South Africa, in collaboration with the Diabetes Alliance, South African Lifestyle Medicine Association (SALMA), and Chefs’ Manifesto, this interactive culinary session bridges the gap between medical science and everyday food preparation.

What to expect - Live in Johannesburg.This is not a cooking demonstration; it’s a fully interactive, practical cooking lab where participants prepare dishes alongside leading experts:Chef Mokgadi Itsweng (Chefs’ Manifesto) will lead a hands-on session using affordable, indigenous South African ingredients, showing how to prepare flavourful recipes ideal for both home use and patient education.Dr Tumi Moshoeshoe (SALMA) will unpack the science behind each ingredient, explaining how whole-food, plant-based dishes influence blood sugar regulation, inflammation, medication dependency and metabolic health.Interactive format: You cook. You learn. You taste. The session concludes with a communal meal, reinforcing connection, culture and shared learning.

Backed by evidence, including PAN South Africa’s study “A Plant-Based Dietary Approach to the Management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in South Africa” published in the South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition based on the impressive participant outcomes from the 21-Day Diabetes Reversal Challenge (Ubuntu Wellness Institute), this session proves that food is a powerful, clinically relevant tool in diabetes treatment and prevention.

Event detailsDate: Monday, 10 November 2025Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Venue: The Bread Box Bakery (PTY) Ltd Shop A2, Carlswald Decor Centre, Corner of Harry Galaun and Fifth Road, Halfway Gardens, Midrand, Johannesburg, Gauteng 1686Ticket prices: R350 general admission • R250 for PAN South Africa members and SALMA membersBonus: Includes a take-home activity worth 3 CPD points to complete post-session

Why you should attendBe part of an official pre-summit learning experience ahead of the 2025 Diabetes SummitParticipate in a dynamic hands-on cooking session led by a well-known food champion and chefLearn how to prepare delicious, healthy, accessible and culturally relevant plant-based mealsUnderstand the clinical nutrition science from leading South African expertsGain practical, real-world skills to support patient dietary counsellingEarn CPD value while engaging in an inspiring, community-focused sessionJoin PAN South Africa’s mission to transform diabetes care through food

Secure your place; limited seats are available to ensure a high-quality, hands-on experience.

Food is medicine. Let’s make it practical, powerful, and personal.

About PAN South AfricaPhysicians Association for Nutrition (PAN) South Africa is the national office of a global medical non-profit organisation advancing nutrition in healthcare and medical education. By promoting evidence-based practices of healthy diets for personal and planetary health, PAN works to reduce millions of diet-related deaths.