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Digital Content Creator Kutlwano Motla On Embracing Motherhood In The New Media Age

Celebrity Early Childhood

Digital Content Creator Kutlwano Motla On Embracing Motherhood In The New Media Age

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Kutlwano Motla, also known as The Boujee Traveller, is a thirty-three-year-old lawyer, high court advocate, travel content creator, and a proud new mom of her daughter Tlou. Apart from being dedicated to travel content creation and sharing her insights, she’s found a new territory she’s been eager to chart ever since she stepped on it: motherhood through her little one.

 

We caught up with our July issue’s cover feature mastermind to discuss her journey with baby Tlou, being new to motherhood, and everything else in between.

 

 

Hearty congratulations to you on being a new mom. How has your motherhood journey been thus far?

 

Kutlwano: Thank you so much. Motherhood has been amazing and beyond anything I ever expected. It’s a whirlwind of emotions and, at times, scary because I am fully responsible for a whole human. For the most part, it’s beautiful, and I am obsessed with the bond my child and I share. She keeps me up at night, and I am always tired; however, it’s worth every moment. I love being a mother. It’s such an honour.

 

 

We’ve had four amazing weeks sharing a beautiful cover and stories from three phenomenal women. Why was it important for you to come up with this concept for Batswadi Magazine, and did your vision come to life?

 

Kutlwano: As a new mother, a community of people you relate to is really what you need. During the first few weeks of my child being born, I struggled a lot emotionally and wondered if I was alone on this journey or if other mothers felt the same way. I came up with this concept to encourage new moms—and mothers overall—to know that we ought to lean on each other because we know how overwhelming this journey can be.

 

Katlego shares so much informative and relatable content when it comes to her motherhood journey. She is expressive and intentional about assisting new mothers. As a friend, I admired how well she opened up on social media about not only the joys of motherhood but the challenges too, which you don’t see much of online. She was the first person I thought of and reached out to when I had this idea. I was also drawn to Buli and her journey with her beautiful daughter and loved how much she shared her child with us online. I related most to Megan because of how private she is. I am semi-private as I don’t post my daughter, but I talk about her often; she’s too cute not to gush over. So I wanted to bring all of us together to share our stories, some similar and different experiences. To let moms out there know that they are not alone and for this issue to be as relatable as possible.

 

 

Has baby Tlou changed your perspective about life in any way? If so, how?

 

Kutlwano: My baby girl has changed my perspective on life so much. I used to be such a YOLO girl. Always ready to take on anything, hop on a flight, and, with no consequences, explore a different city. Oh, but how things have changed. I have become such an overthinker. I plan my life to the tee. I have also become super cautious because one thing about these kids: they will give you a heart attack. Jokes aside, I think I have changed for the better. I make better life decisions because of her, and I am enjoying this well-constructed side of me.

 

You are a qualified lawyer by profession. How has being a new mom impacted your career?

 

Kutlwano: Being a professional and a full-time mother is extremely hard. It took so long for me to find myself again. I had been so immersed in my child that I forgot my career for a moment. I intentionally took six months off to enjoy Tlou and fully experience motherhood, but these bills won’t pay themselves. So I am gradually making my way back into the legal field, taking on one matter at a time. I also work from home on most days, which has helped.

 

You are also a travel content creator and have shared snaps of yourself travelling with baby Tlou. How has that experience been?

 

Kutlwano: I am proud to say I have created a mini Boujee Traveller! Of all the moments I enjoyed with Tlou, travelling with her has become my favourite activity and a great bonding experience. It is also an extreme sport because getting to the airport on time is its own challenge. Tlou is generally such a happy baby, so it has been a pleasure watching her encounter new experiences. My child is curious about everything around her. So it’s always fun watching her expression when she gets on the flight, meets new people, and explores new places. I always look forward to the next adventure with her because she always seems so excited to be in a new environment.

 

Babies require a lot of gear daily. What are some of your baby essentials?

 

Kutlwano: I have so many essentials, but the ones I use daily are my breast pump, her teething gums, and the baby blender. Tlou is currently exploring solids, but I am still exclusively breastfeeding her, so creating her meals each day is a must.

 

 

What is something you wish you had known about motherhood before embarking on the journey?

 

Kutlwano: I wish I had known the amount of time it takes to raise a child and most of your time is no longer yours, especially when they are still infants. I underestimated that.

 

What advice would you give to new moms who would also like to travel with their bundles of joy?

 

Kutlwano: Planning is key. As an avid traveller, I am generally a good planner when it comes to travel, but travelling with an infant is something I wasn’t prepared for. The way I book flights and hotels has changed when going anywhere with Tlou. I also do a lot of research about the places we visit and book essential items like cots and car seats with establishments ahead of time. I don’t ever want to find myself stranded when it comes to things I need for her.

 

You shared that you had a high-risk pregnancy due to the diagnosis of fibroids. Why do you think it’s important for more women to share their pregnancy journeys?

 

Kutlwano: I think it’s important to share as much as you can and as comfortably as you can with others because you could be saving a life. Pregnancy and childbirth are so high-risk that sharing realistic expectations is so important and definitely not to scare off women from becoming mothers because it is beautiful. However, it’s not necessary to always glamorise the journey. It’s always great to know what to expect, and I acknowledge that we all have different experiences; however, someone will relate to what you experienced, and you could be assisting them in so many ways.

 

Upon sharing my story about my birth and issues I had with fibroids, I received tons of messages from women thanking me for opening up. One follower went as far as getting herself checked out because of my post as she was preparing to fall pregnant, and she thanked me for shedding light with my story. I had no idea how much of an impact my story had on others, and I guess that’s the importance of expression.

 

What have you been enjoying most about motherhood?

 

Kutlwano: Honestly, I have enjoyed it all. The good, the bad, the dirty diapers, and the sleepless nights. I cherish every single moment because I never thought I would be here. I knew that I always wanted to be a mother, but I struggled to see it happening for me. I never thought I would have that opportunity, although I wanted it so bad. Now that I am here, I am embracing the entire journey. I miss Tlou when she is sleeping; I miss her more when I don’t see her face. I have moments when I am at work, and I just sit and scroll through her pictures or laugh at the many times that she’s pooped and peed on me. I love how she looks straight into my eyes when I am breastfeeding her. The entire journey has been amazing. I thank God daily for this beautiful gift He has given me.

 

C. S. Hadebe

C. S. Hadebe is a South African writer, speculative storyteller, essayist, critic, and editor born and based in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal. His writings have been longlisted for the 2020 SA Writers College Short Story Competition, and have received an Honours accolade, twice (2021 and 2022). He has also been awarded an Honorable Mention in the L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Contest and also in 2017 In Focus Contest. He has either written or edited a host of works that have appeared or are forthcoming in various publications, such as The Shallow Tales Review, Moziak Magazine, Batswadi Magazine, The Music Review, Texx and the City, and elsewhere.

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