While some changes that come with motherhood are expected—like shifting routines or managing new responsibilities—others take many mothers by surprise.

For actress and doting mom Lesego Khoza, one profound realization hit her with the labour pains that brought her daughter, Ama, into the world was that her old self had died.

 

“And I’m okay with it,” she shared, embracing her transformation with grace.

Finding the Good in Change

The birth of Lesego and her husband’s daughter, Amahubo Amahle—meaning Beautiful Psalms—is a testament to their enduring love story, which began 11 years ago at art school.

 

Yet, along with this joyful milestone came valuable lessons in surrender and resilience. While the couple meticulously planned everything, from the nursery to the timing of Ama’s arrival, life unfolded differently.

 

“I mean, Ama is still sleeping in our room, even though there’s a full nursery for her,” Lesego said, laughing.

 

Her pregnancy right until she became a mother came with unexpected challenges, from an emergency C-section to Ama spending nine days in the NICU and the heartbreaking discovery that breastfeeding might not be possible due to insufficient milk supply.

 

But it was these moments that taught Lesego a profound truth: We might plan, but God ultimately decides. With this acceptance came the realisation that resisting change creates inner turmoil, but embracing the season you’re in allows for peace.

Strength Through Surrender

“I expected the obvious changes, like changes in my body or being consumed by my baby, but I didn’t anticipate how brave motherhood would make me,” she said, her pride evident.

 

“Being a mother has pushed me to become a better version of myself, even confronting traumas I’ve avoided for years. It’s been about opening doors I shut long ago as a defense mechanism and allowing healing to take place.”

 

For Lesego, this growth also means fulfilling her God-given purpose. While she cherishes being a stay-at-home mom and wife, recently, the call to return to the big and small screens has grown stronger.

 

Balancing Home and Calling

“As much as I love being at home—cooking for my husband, spending time with Ama—there’s a part of me that knows my calling extends beyond these walls. God has instilled something in me that’s bigger than I am. It keeps me up at night, nagging at me to step up and do more.”

 

Lesego, whose acting career began right after high school and has included performances on stages like the Pretoria State Theatre, has started auditioning again. She’s preparing to adjust her life once more, this time to balance family and career.

Being present in her family’s life also means instilling values in her that will help shape a well-rounded human being.

 

“It is important for my daughter to love herself holistically, to love every facet of herself and to love family,” she said, adding also that family is super important to her.

 

“And when I say family, I don’t only mean a dad and me, but I mean everyone that is linked to us. I want my child to know every family member and to know that a family tree is very important. I want my child to know that forgiveness is king and that God comes first even in her parent’s lives,” she shared passionately.

Navigating Shifting Dynamics

“I’m at peace with being home, but I knew something had shifted when I started feeling this pull to get back out there and live out my calling,” she admitted.

 

She encourages parents to embrace their individual journeys, accepting life’s unique seasons rather than succumbing to external pressures.

 

“I’ve learned to accept each day as it comes. For example, if Monday is productive and Tuesday isn’t, I celebrate Monday without dwelling on Tuesday’s challenges. It’s about working at your own pace and finding joy in small victories.”

 

“It is also important that my little one learns that life is seasonal, so it doesn’t catch her by surprise. And for her to learn that, I need to learn it first as her immediate influence. I needed to first be okay with change, be okay with myself, and be okay with God’s plans,” she said.

 

A Message of Hope

Lesego’s journey is a reminder that life’s seasons are fluid. Some bring unexpected challenges, others bring surprising strength, but all have something to teach. By embracing the transitions and trusting the process, she shows us that every season has its beauty.