In a world and time as busy as ours, taking a moment to admire the strength of a woman seems to never be there. With careers to maintain, households to co-run (or solely at times) and life worries at bay, the wheel of life constantly keeps rolling and rolling. With zero time for appreciation. 

 

Sadly, the above sentiments are echoed by this heart wrenching quote: “Moms are the most underappreciated overachievers.” But the truth is mothers are magic and are the biggest inspiration contributors to many who walk the earth. Thus celebrating them is a must. 

 

Like first time mommy Maiphepi Motiang, who has not only stepped into her most important job of all time as a mommy but is also a career woman building up her legacy one blush stroke at a time.  When she decided that it’s time to grow her little family with her husband, little did she know of the challenges that lay ahead of her. From physical changes, fluctuating feelings and emotions, and also the big need to make a living in this very expensive world of ours. 

 

She recently took time to spend a day at the Batswadi shoot, which she says brought with it mixed feelings from feeling worthy of being a mother while also battling feeling big/ugly and misplaced. A journey she laughs at now in hindsight. 

 

You see, Maiphepi works as a makeup artist in the film industry – a fast-paced industry which requires her to work in order to get paid.  She is required to show up 100% with zero if minimal room for error. But it is within this journey that she fully realised the full power that women possess. 

 

 

 

 

“I actually believe that as women we have a special grace bestowed upon us by God to achieve all that we are set out to achieve. It is honestly the most impractical job to juggle everything like we do but we see women climb the near-impossible ladders every single day. It is magical,” she said. 

 

And when it was her turn to do the juggling, a whole new world opened up to her. 

 

The overachiever has worked on prestigious productions like eHostela, DiepCity S1, Woman King and most recently King Shaka (the film). But like any other expectant woman, her body required her to slow down which meant making a tough decision of returning home early on to take care of her pregnancy.

 

“When I found out I was pregnant, I was on a set shooting King Shaka the film and that meant being away from home for eight months traveling between Cape Town and KwaZulu Natal. And as a freelancer who lives from paycheck to paycheck, but within three months of shooting I couldn’t anymore,” adding that her body was taking a toll on those over 12 hour shifts which led to her collapsing at one point. That meant coming back home, and digesting the bold step of putting work on hold and an income she had counted on for the health of her family. 

 

 

 

 

Her pregnancy was followed by an array of challenges from varying sicknesses here and there, with her mental health almost taking a dip. 

 

“Being pregnant highlighted how unfair the world is towards women. As a woman, I am making far more sacrifices in choosing to have kids than my male counterparts.I literally need to take time off, during and after pregnancy, and that realistically costs so much. 

 

“Going back to work as a new mother, we don’t have the liberty or resources at work that  aid in our journey. Whether it is pumping rooms, or  the time even. You become in danger of being replaced with someone else because of time spent trying to juggle your life. This journey has opened my eyes and that has ignited a desire of starting a movement that ensures that mothers are included,” she said.

 

But through it all, she celebrates the blessing and magic in child bearing. A gift she is excited to be a part of. A gift she is honoured to have carried.  Today, she is a proud mother of a bouncy baby boy who has turned her life upside down but for the better. Through motherhood, the 33-year-old is not only a better person but motherhood has also added a level of assurance of her worth, “especially when this little one smiles at me. It is all that I need,” she said giggling. 

 

 

 

 

“As much as many people describe it as the best bonding time with their children, my experience was the total opposite. I had a horrible breastfeeding experience especially in the beginning because my nipples got torn so bad that I had to get a treatment within the first month. I was going through the most in my first motherhood month. 

 

“It felt like my body was not working with me but I got over that. I had to fight myself out of depression, through prayer and my husband’s support. Getting help from family is the biggest contributing factor towards a woman’s recovery. 

 

“This experience has really shown me how powerful women are. I hope we all take the time to appreciate our power of not only bringing life on earth but also constantly rising above the challenges to be the best versions of ourselves. Women, you are phenomenal,” she said.