Busisiwe Thwala, professionally known as Cici, is a woman of notable talents with credits in the music and acting industry. In between making hit singles, the Ladysmith-born star is a doting mother to three-year-old Diallo, a son she parents alongside her husband she describes as a stalwart in their family life.

We got in touch with the ‘Hamba Juba’ vocalist and talked about motherhood, juggling a busy career and parenthood, and what family means to her.

Could you share with us the emotions and thoughts that went through your mind when you found out you were pregnant with your child? I had to get the doctor and was double-checked because when I had an accident, they told me that I might never be able to have children again. So I was like, “No. There is just no way.” I was excited, overwhelmed and emotional about it. But at the same time, I was really grateful that uNkulunkulu (God) afforded me a second chance in trying to be a mom.

When you look at the way you grew up, what is one thing that you never had as a child that you knew you had to give baby Diallo? Nothing. I might have grown up in a less fortunate family, but I had all the love and support. My parents were there for me and would pay for everything I needed. They gave me emotional support and the basics of what my childhood needed, from school to food and a loving family. They also instilled in me the love for God, and that family always comes first. So, as much as I was not rich, I got everything I needed as a child. And I think I got more than kids who were more fortunate than me at the time.

You recently took your son to the Monster Jam in his birth month. Tell us more about the experience and how everything went. The funny thing is that our son chose Monster Jam. Out of all the shows he had access to as a child, he chose Monster Jam. He found it on his own on YouTube, and he knows everyone and each and every car by name. He even knows the theme song! So for his birthday, we figured that instead of throwing him a party and having a big event, we give him something that would become a memory that he would hold on to for the rest of his childhood and the rest of his life.

So we decided to take him there so that he could experience everything for himself, and get to see the cars face-to-face. He was also able to go to the pit party to take pictures with the drivers and the cars. So the experience was for us as a family to create special memories.

What has been your favourite thing about motherhood? Getting a new best friend who doesn’t have other best friends. Someone I can chill and watch movies with. He likes popcorn, and so that’s one way I usually bribe him. As long as I have them, he’ll sit with me and watch whatever. Also he doesn’t talk as much, so it’s interesting to experience the world through his eyes and how he sees things. That’s been my favourite thing, having a new friend.

You and baby Diallo’s father have been a very solid tag team in the raising your son. How important has his presence been for Diallo’s growth as well as for you as a mother and his partner with a busy life? One thing about me is that I’m very lucky because my husband is a very present parent. He doesn’t look at spending time with our son as babysitting. So I have a great support structure behind me, even when I’m out recording. Now, I still get mom guilt. I’ve been in the studio for the whole week, so I haven’t been able to see my son. Dad is the one who drops him off in the morning at school, and sometimes, I try to have my studio sessions after I’ve picked up him at school so I can get some time with him.

We also have a full-time nanny, someone we know and trust will be able to take care of him if both of us aren’t home. But the most important takeaway is that I’m fortunate to have a supportive partner who’s able to take the load off and share responsibilities. He’s also a positive male figure, instilling in him positive masculine traits. Just the other day, he was brushing invisible facial hairs on his chin! Things like that.

What has been the funniest moment in your motherhood, something that happened between you and Diallo that you’ll cherish? So, one funny thing is that my husband has a pet name that he calls me. So now our son uses that name to call me. So I have to correct him and say, “No, no. I’m Mommy. My husband is the only one who can use that name.” And every time that happens, it catches me off-guard, and I think it’s hilarious because that’s the name he wants to call me by.

What is your idea of a fun day when you’re together as a family? My husband and I are really about being together as a family. So, a fun day for us can be as simple as being in our backyard and kicking around a ball since our son likes being outdoors. We like seeing how he is around us. When he’s with his dad, he’s all rough, butting heads and all, but with me, he goes: “Aaah,” and then hugs my leg. So it’s weird to see him understand when he should be hard and when to be soft. So a fun day spent for us is just us in the backyard.