South African producer on her gentle, intentional journey into motherhood shaped by timing, love and self knowing.

Tloubatla is in a season of her life that feels full in a way she has never known before. As she speaks, her attention moves gently between the conversation and her baby girl playing beside her, with her voice lighting up as she too plays along with her baby girl. Motherhood, for her, is not just a new role — it is a deeply felt experience, one she describes as nothing short of life-changing.

For a woman who has spent years building a strong, respected name in television production, this chapter feels different. Slower. Fuller. Sacred.

 

“It feels like a slice of heaven on earth,” she says gently, pausing to take in the little life beside her. “It’s the best thing that has ever happened to me.”

 

Vanessa’s journey into motherhood did not come early. It came in her 40s, at a time when she knows herself deeply, when her life feels steady, and when her heart is certain. And for her, that has made all the difference.

 

“I don’t have anything to compare it to,” she reflects. “But I do know that in your 40s, you are more intentional. You know what you want and what you don’t want. Even the decision to have a baby, for me, had to be with the right person. Someone who wanted a family, and wanted it with me.”

 

And it is this clarity that has shaped her path for years. Although she’s always known that she wanted children, Vanessa waited. Between being with partners who weren’t quite ready and living far from home at some point in life, in the United States to be specific without the support system she knew she would need to raise a child, she chose patience and time trusting that the right time would come for her.

 

And when it did, it came with an emotion that she still struggles to put into words – pure heaven. The producer found out she was pregnant while alone, by choice, wanting to surprise her partner. She took the test quietly and when the result appeared, all she could do was sobbed. Her dream was becoming a reality.

 

“I couldn’t believe it,” she says. “The thought that I am pregnant and I get to keep the baby… it was just so surreal.”

 

Later that day, she shared the news in a way that feels so true to who she is—thoughtful, intentional and full of heart. A simple cup with the words “Father-to-be” revealed everything to her partner. The two just hugged with tears amplifying the moment. That marked the beginning of something new.

 

Now, months into motherhood, Vanessa speaks of a transformation that goes far beyond sleepless nights and feeding schedules. It is something deeper. A shift in identity.

 

“I see myself differently as a woman now,” she says. “I am discovering my strength in a new way. My patience has grown. I am more compassionate, not just to my baby, but to other moms and women too.”

 

Motherhood, for her, is not just a role. It is a superpower. “Motherhood is safety, it’s strong, it’s loving. It’s the ability to love unconditionally, to nurture in a way that is just…innate. I’ve always been the favourite aunty,” she laughs softly, “but this is different. This is a whole different ball game.”

 

There have been moments of surprise along the way. The quiet communication between her and her baby. The instinctive way her daughter knew how to feed from the very first time and how a small cry can settle instantly in her arms.

 

And then there are the moments that melt her completely—the eye contact, the little smiles, the early “conversations” that feel like something only they understand.

 

“You don’t understand,” she says, almost whispering. “When she looks at me and smiles… it gets me every time.”

 

Of course, the journey has not been without its challenges. In the early weeks, there were moments of overwhelm, especially during those long, unexplained crying spells.

 

“I had to remind myself that she also doesn’t know what’s happening,” Vanessa admits. “That helped me become more patient, more understanding.”

 

Support has played a big role in grounding her through it all. She speaks warmly about her partner, describing him as someone who brings calm into their home.

 

“To see him with her… it’s so special. He could have the hardest day, but the moment he sees her, everything changes.”

 

Even her own mother, legendary singer Hilda Tloubatla, has surprised her. Having spent much of her life on the road, motherhood looked different in Vanessa’s childhood. But now, as a grandmother, there is a new kind of presence.

“She travels all the way from the east to my house, just to spend time with my baby,” Vanessa says, smiling. “That has been so beautiful to witness.

 

As a woman who has built a solid career, Vanessa has allowed herself the grace to pause. To be present. To pour into her child fully in this season.

 

 

“My priorities have shifted,” she says simply. “She is number one.”

 

Still, she is honest about the parts she is figuring out—like carving out time for herself. “I haven’t quite found that balance yet,” she admits with a light laugh. “But I will.”

 

At the heart of it all is a deep sense of gratitude. For the timing. For the journey. For the life she now holds.

 

“This chapter means everything to me,” she says. “I am on cloud nine. It’s the best time of my life.”

And when she speaks about her daughter’s future, her voice softens even more.

 

“I want her to trust herself. To trust her inner knowing. To know that she is loved, deeply.” It is a love that was prayed for. A love that was waited for. A love that arrived right on time.