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From the Struggle to the Spotlight: The Inspiring Journey of Cookie Kgaphola-Maleka

By Noko Mabofa Maleka – Insight Jozi News

Behind the bold lipstick, high heels, and trending TV moments is a story of courage, resilience, and unmatched reinvention. Kukie Tjeo Kgaphola-Maleka, widely known as Cookie, is not just the stylish breakout star of Sugar Mamas Johannesburg on DStv Channel 157 – she is a woman who has lived many lives, each one shaped by history, heartbreak, and hope.

 A Revolutionary at 17

Born on 24 December 1966 in Ga-Sekhukhune, Limpopo, Cookie carries royal blood. Her mother hails from the Nkadimaeng clan, a family with deep roots and cultural significance. But Cookie’s life was never about privilege – it was about purpose. At just 17 years old, her activism during apartheid made her a wanted youth. Hunted by the regime, she hid in the mountains for three months, surviving the wilderness with the will of a warrior.

Reinvention in the City of Gold

Escaping to Johannesburg, she changed her name to Tess Michael, inspired by a character from a novel she read in her youth. What followed was a season of hardship — homelessness, sleeping on pavements while chasing her dream to become a musician. Johannesburg may have tried to swallow her, but Cookie turned her pain into power.

From Daycare to Empowerment

Cookie’s resilience birthed a new journey. She opened a daycare centre that would eventually grow into a full-fledged school, impacting the lives of children and families in her community. Her passion for grassroots development led her into politics, where she served as a Ward Councillor for the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), championing the voices of the forgotten.

Love Without Borders – Enter Noko Maleka

In a twist fit for television, Cookie’s personal life drew the attention of a new generation. Today, she stars on Mojalove’s Sugar Mamas Johannesburg with her husband, Noko Maleka — a broadcaster, journalist, and entrepreneur 18 years her junior. Their relationship challenges stereotypes, sparks conversations, and inspires others to redefine love on their own terms.

Noko often says, “President Emmanuel Macron made me realise that age shouldn’t stand between you and the love of your life.” And Cookie? She shocked fans when she boldly told the world she wanted to have a child with her younger husband — a move that ignited both admiration and controversy.

Power Couple & Business Leaders

The love story goes beyond romance — Cookie and Noko are also business partners. Together, they co-founded Comono Media, a growing media brand focused on youth empowerment, digital storytelling, and cultural innovation. As Executive Director, Cookie brings her lived experience and passion for education and entertainment to the boardroom.

Mother, Leader, Icon

Beyond the glitz, Cookie is a proud mother of three – one daughter and two sons. Her children have witnessed the journey from rags to recognition, from shelters to studios, and from activist to award-worthy reality queen.

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Final Word: Cookie’s Legacy

Cookie Kgaphola-Maleka is more than just a #Sugarmama. She is a freedom fighter, educator, businesswoman, wife, mother, and television trailblazer. Her life is a lesson in perseverance, proving that you can fall and rise again — in heels, with grace, and with purpose.

Watch her every week on Sugar Mamas Johannesburg, but never forget: the real story is the one she wrote long before the cameras started rolling.

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