As she prepares to welcome her second child, Skeem Saam actress Hellen Motsuki opens up about motherhood, embracing her many identities and the beautiful coincidence of sharing her pregnancy journey with her on-screen character, Melita.

Over the past week, I’ve had the pleasure of spending some time with Hellen Motsuki as she prepares for one of life’s most beautiful milestones. As she enjoys her pregnancy, the actress is showing no signs of slowing down, still very much immersed in filming *Skeem Saam* while balancing the everyday joys of family life. Away from the cameras, she finds pleasure in the simple things, from spending time in the kitchen baking scones and experimenting with new recipes to tending to her fruit and vegetable garden.

It’s a softer, more intimate side of Hellen than the one millions of South Africans have come to know through her portrayal of Melita on Skeem Saam. Away from the cameras and the drama of her on-screen world, she’s a wife, a mother, an entrepreneur and a woman who is still very much discovering and becoming herself.

And today, 19 October 2026, as she celebrates another trip around the sun, Hellen has an extra-special reason to celebrate. In an exclusive reveal with Batswadi Magazine, the actress shares that she is expecting her second child.

Hellen Motsuki | Batswadi Magazine 

While this season has brought a change of pace, Hellen hasn’t completely slowed down. She continues to make time for her physical wellbeing, going for a run three times a week and enjoying daily walks.

“I believe it’s good for pregnant women to keep moving, if they can. It doesn’t have to be intense. Even a walk can be good for you. Just move in a way that feels right for your body.”

At home, she’s surrounded by love and support, particularly from her husband, who has been making sure she’s well taken care of. Although she admits she’s being thoroughly spoiled, there’s one place she still enjoys spending time, and that’s the kitchen.

“My husband doesn’t allow me to lift a finger. He helps me a lot, and I also have a lot of help at home. But I love being in the kitchen. Baking and trying new meals is fun and therapeutic.”

Hellen Motsuki | Batswadi Magazine 

For Hellen, preparing meals is as much about the experience as it is about bringing everyone together. She speaks fondly of the little moments around the family table and the honest feedback that comes with trying something new.

“I enjoy seeing the expressions on my family’s faces when I cook something new. Whether they love it or suggest I do something differently, it keeps me on my toes and makes me want to keep trying new things. That’s one of the beautiful things in life.”

Her love for nurturing extends beyond the kitchen, with her garden also receiving some extra attention amidst her busy schedule.

“My garden is looking great and is being taken care of more,” she shares with a smile.

Interestingly, life has imitated art in the most unexpected way. While viewers have been following Melita’s pregnancy journey on Skeem Saam, Hellen has quietly been experiencing her own pregnancy behind the scenes.

Hellen Motsuki | Batswadi Magazine

For an actress accustomed to stepping into someone else’s reality, this particular storyline has come with an unusually personal connection.

“It has been such a blessing that my character on Skeem Saam is pregnant at the same time as I am. Sharing this journey with her has been a special experience.”

Hellen Motsuki | Batswadi Magazine 

And while Hellen is preparing for her own exciting arrival, things are equally eventful in Melita’s world. The actress is enthusiastic about what lies ahead for her character, teasing storylines that promise to keep viewers entertained and talking.

“Melita is forever trending, and she is loved. There are powerful storylines coming up that I have recently filmed and am still filming. There’s nothing to miss, I promise you. They are educational, entertaining, scary and fun. And people shouldn’t worry, I will not be taking a long break from Skeem Saam.”

The experience has also offered Hellen an opportunity to reflect on the distinction between herself and the woman she portrays. While television allows audiences to witness Melita’s story unfold, Hellen has been navigating her own private journey, bringing an added layer of understanding to her performance.

“My character and I are two very different people, with our own lives and personalities, but there are moments when her emotions and experiences feel familiar because I’m going through pregnancy myself.”

Away from the spotlight, the anticipation of welcoming a new baby comes with its own reflections. Despite having experienced the joys and challenges of raising her son, Hellen approaches this next chapter with humility and curiosity rather than the certainty that sometimes comes with experience.

“Having one child doesn’t mean I know everything about being a mother. Every child, every stage and every chapter brings new lessons. And I’m ready for it all.”

It’s a perspective that speaks to the heart of her philosophy on motherhood. While becoming a parent is undoubtedly life-changing, Hellen is conscious of the expectations often placed on women to define themselves primarily through their roles within the family.

“Becoming a mother doesn’t mean losing or neglecting who I am. I’m an actress, an entrepreneur, a career woman, a wife, and a mother. Each part of me is important, and motherhood is not replacing my identity; it is adding another meaningful dimension to it.”

Hellen Motsuki | Batswadi Magazine 

There is something refreshing about her refusal to place these different aspects of her life in separate boxes. With a demanding career in television, entrepreneurial interests and a growing family, Hellen is navigating the balancing act familiar to so many women, recognising that different seasons of life call for different priorities.

“I’m learning to embrace each part of my life without feeling that I have to give up another.”

With a new baby on the way, another birthday to celebrate and an exciting chapter unfolding both on and off screen, Hellen is stepping into this season with gratitude and an openness to all that lies ahead.

And as our conversation comes to a close, her reflections offer a beautiful reminder that womanhood and motherhood are not fixed destinations. There is always room to grow, to rediscover ourselves and to become.

“For me, becoming is ongoing. I’m becoming a mother of two while continuing to become the best version of myself as a woman, an actress, an entrepreneur, a wife, and a mother. These identities don’t compete with one another; together, they make me who I am.”

Hellen Motsuki | Batswadi Magazine