Nataniël was born in Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape. He went to school at Riebeeck-Kasteel Primary School and De Kuilen High School in Kuilsriver, near Cape Town. He went on to study music at the University of Stellenbosch.He first became popular as a cabaret and stage artist, but since the 1990’s has also built a reputation as a writer, columnist and celebrity chef. His publications include Dancing with John (1992), Rubber (1996), Tuesday (2001), Food from the White House (2002), Kaalkop (2004) and When I Was (2008). His Kaalkop column has also appeared in the magazine Sarie for a number of years now.
