by Thinus Ferreira
The celebrity chef Jenny Morris recuperating from Covid-19 has lost her husband David who died on Tuesday evening from the coronavirus. He was 69.
The two were virtually inseparable as they built Jenny Morris's celebrity cooking business over decades.
As two peas in a pod they published half a dozen of her sought-after recipe books, opened two restaurants, and started a cooking school and catering company in 1997, currently situated in her CooksPlayground in Green Point's Cape Quarter in Cape Town, where they've taught thousands of people to be better in the kitchen.
Over decades Jenny became a celebrity chef with programmes and appearances on radio and TV and writing newspaper and magazine columns and in 2011 she became the first South African with a cooking show on Discovery Inc.'s Food Network (DStv 175) broadcast globally as she continued doing presentations as a regular food festival fixture.
In June the beloved TV chef and her longtime husband both fell ill from Covid-19 as South Africa is in the grip of a vicious third wave of the global coronavirus pandemic fuelled by the more contagious Delta variant as the rate of crucial vaccinations by the South African government lags and is far behind schedule.
Last week Jenny Morris who also appears frequently on Expresso on SABC3 and who is known as "The Giggling Gourmet", said that she and her husband are both in the Netcare Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital since they had tested positive for Covid-19.
"We have been hospitalised. I'm in Covid ward at Christiaan Barnard hospital with the best doctors. My husband in ICU. He needs oxygen. Thank you for your prayers for our recovery," Jenny wrote on Instagram on 30 June.
A few days later she said that "David is still under the caring hands of the doctors. Heart is a little better... kidney a little better and infection markers are a little better. My heart is singing. I shall pray all night long no matter how small the better is, I'm praying for every single little bit of better".
Now David has died. "It is with great sadness that the Morris family announces the passing of David Phillip Henry Morris at the age of 69," the family said in a released statement.
"David passed away on Tuesday evening due to Covid-19 complications. He was a husband, brother, uncle, father, mentor and role model. He will be sorely missed by his family and close friends. David's family requests privacy during the time of mourning."
Earlier this month Jenny Morris warned the public about the dangers of Covid-19 and the vicious Delta-variant, saying "The third wave is upon us! Remember, your actions have a direct impact on those around you. Mask up, disinfect, and maintain social distance protocols. Covid does not discriminate!"
