Rabia Mayet | rabiamayet@radioislam.co.za

11 October 2025

4-minute read

Fehmida Jordaan, popularly known as Fehmz, is a Johannesburg-based food enthusiast, author of the cookbook ‘Damn Good Food’ and TV personality on Ready Steady Cook SA on SABC3. Known for her approachable and creative recipes, Fehmz inspires her audience to explore the joy of cooking with everyday pantry staples. Through her Instagram page, @fehmz, she shares her passion for food, travel and lifestyle, encouraging others to experiment in the kitchen, explore places like a local, and make every experience fun. A true city girl at heart, she is chasing her culinary dreams while connecting with food lovers around the globe.

Fehmida says that the current visa requirements for South Africans entering Morocco, although not complicated, are a bit tedious. The embassy is in Pretoria, but the application document is available on the website, and Fehmz’s top tip is to make a copy of every single application and plan in advance as the visa can take up to 6 weeks to process.

If she had to visit Morocco again, Fehmz enthuses that she “would go back to the same places,” and add on some new ones too. Tangier, a beautiful city with Spanish influence, has a “very different Mediterranean feel” as compared to the rest of Morrocco and requires at least 4 days if one wants to enjoy the coast. Chefchaouen, where every building is bathed in blue, giving it the nickname of the Blue City, boasts stunning views as well as friendly locals and a peaceful atmosphere. Casablanca is a more cosmopolitan city but is worth a shorter visit of about 2 days to see the one of the largest mosques on the African continent. The Red City of Marrakesh, with its terracotta-colour palate, old-school feel, and lovely medina of markets is a city that cannot be missed on a trip to Morrocco.  A visit to the city of Fez feels like stepping back in time, a place where one can tour Al-Karawan, the oldest university in the world. Essaouira is a calm and relaxing place off the beaten track. Fehmz also visited Marzhouga, part of the Western Sahara Desert, for a notable desert experience, but the region is far out and requires some extra time to tour, especially if you’re stopping at interesting random places along the way.

Getting around a new country can be daunting. Fehmz suggests taking the “wonderful experience” of trains between Casablanca and Marrakesh, Rabat or Tangier. Between smaller cities, you can take a taxi or book a tour. Within the medinas, tuk-tuks driven by differently abled individuals, a superb initiative of the Moroccan government, are the easiest way to get around.

Moroccan cuisine is world-famous, and with Morocco being a Muslim country, the food is also halal. However, it is best to exercise caution as some restaurants do serve alcohol. With food as her speciality, Fehmz advises not to just go into “any Instagram-famous restaurants” but to try street-side eateries. She booked cooking lessons while on holiday to learn how to make Moroccan pancakes and bread and even tried a “full-on cooking lesson” in Marrakesh where she learnt to prepare iconic Moroccan dishes like cous-cous and aubergine dips. Fehmz says try to book a meal with a local family for a Jumuah cous-cous lunch, a common experience in the country.

While the culture in Morocco is rich and diverse, it is centred completely around Islamic teachings, making it a beautifully immersive experience. There are masaajid everywhere, even in tightly packed spaces like the markets. The country is also very safe with shopkeepers leaving their wares out with just a broomstick at the front to indicate that they’re closed when they stop for salaah.

For memorable experiences, don’t stick to any specific formula but speak to the locals for recommendations and if language is a problem, use Google Translate to get around. “Exploring with an open mind is the best part,” were Fehmz’s parting words about touring a country as fantastic as Morocco.

Listen to the full interview with Ml Muhammad Kara, Ml Ibrahim Daya and Fehmz here.