“In control, but not in control at the same time” is a feeling that many expectant mothers navigating the highs and lows of pregnancy can relate to and is exactly how well-known media personality, Masechaba Khumalo sums up her third pregnancy.

 
After the birth of her first two children, it is now, during her third pregnancy that she has been confronted with the biggest test of faith, “(where) at the height of my pregnancy I was faced with unforeseen challenges but instead of breaking down, I levelled up. I stood firmly on my faith and I rose
to the challenge,” she said to us at this month’s exclusive cover shoot in partnership with Nuna, a premium baby gear brand that has recently launched in South Africa.

 

 
“I’ve been truly blessed with a very smooth pregnancy. I enjoy being pregnant and everything that it comes with, the glow, the fuller figure but more than anything, the intimacy of bonding with my baby from within. There is no greater power that I have experienced in my life than that. I have thoroughly enjoyed this moment in my life,” she said.
 

Stepping out of her three year-long interview hiatus, the 39-year-old said that while all three of her pregnancy journeys have been different, it is this one that has ushered in more peace and character building than ever before. 

 

 

 
“My first pregnancy was planned, my second was unplanned, and this, my third was planned. And although it took a little longer than the first, this little one is an extension of our love.” 

 
“This pregnancy, and my second, carried the most lessons, although my second pregnancy was more chaotic. This has been quite empowering. It is absolutely true that character is tested in the fire. I am the best version of myself than I have ever been, and this pregnancy showed me that. Our best selves require the sacrifice of old thinking patterns, habits, places and people that don’t align with who we are and where we are going. “I mastered the art of prioritising my peace over everything and THAT is a superpower,”  she said.
 

These lessons have also varied from knowing that she may not have total control over external factors but that she has complete control of how she responds to her circumstances and the world around her. 
 

“It’s also taught me that my worth is not bound by time or space, what I do or don’t do. It is my birth right. I don’t always know where I am going or how I am going to get there but these days, I love who I am and that’s enough for me,” she added. 

 
Revealing to us that she is, again, expecting a boy child, “Another one! (DJ Khalid voice)”, Masechaba has always wanted to be a mother. And with her parents naming her MASECHABA, which means “Mother of the Nation,” her name has been rather prophetic. As a lover of children, she was always
mothering one child or the other, way before having her own children. The mothering would come in the form of babysitting from when she was a teenager and donating her time to children’s shelters such as Door of Hope. “Mothering is innately in me,” she said. 
 

“I definitely live my absolute motherhood highs every day. I am the Queen in my household. My lows would be not being able to give my kids everything that they want or everything that I want for them. Which I suppose is not necessarily a bad thing because it teaches them patience and gratitude. And I am honest with my kids from an early age,” introducing family meetings where they engage in a number of issues. From my work schedule to our collective vision as a family.”

“It’s also a platform for them to engage with us on their issues and where they are. Overall, it’s important for kids to know where you are and where you are going. If you want supportive children, be an inclusive parent,” she said. 

 

 

 

 

 
And while juggling a thriving career and balancing motherhood is an extreme sport, Masechaba has always been anchored in the belief that if she aligns all her purposes, balance will follow. And if that balance doesn’t happen, let go, she says. Whether it’s a job, a career or a relationship. 
 
“My number one piece of advice to all parents, mothers AND fathers, is to give the same energy to your children that you give to the world. None of us really know what we’re doing because it’s trial and error but if you really don’t know how to be a good parent, read up about it! Kids actually do come with manuals these days. Immerse yourself in material on how to be better at conscious parenting. Have a parenting plan but most importantly, be a present parent and have a teachable spirit. Enjoy your children and, at the very least, try to be the kind of parent that your kids don’t have to spend their entire adulthood healing from.”

 
And like the place that she finds herself in nowadays, peaceful, she further describes the Batswadi shoot as an extension of that, peaceful and fun!

 
 
“In totality, motherhood has taught me that not only is it possible but it is mandatory to break the generational curses that exist in our families. It does not matter how you came to the world or what you overcame in your childhood. It doesn’t matter what diseases, spiritual warfare or inherited traumas exist within your family. The buck stops with you. It can and it must. When you know better, you do better. Full stop. So get over yourself and do the work that needs to be done.
 

“For now, I am looking forward to growing our family and to bringing a human who will fulfil their highest expression while being a light to the world.”

 
Regarding her next career step, after her departure from the government sector, she said, “The possibilities are endless for me right now. I am back in the private sector and I look forward to sinking my teeth back into radio. Once a radio head, always a radio head. There are several conversations
happening at the moment and as excited as I am, I am pacing myself because I know what I want and for me, timing is everything. The right opportunity will present itself at the right time. Then, as an executive television producer and a broadcaster, I look forward to conducting some of the biggest interviews in the land and creating what I call conscious content. Masechaba Media is up and running again and fully back in business. Also, I am an educator and developer by nature so I am looking forward to giving away all my knowledge and sharing my expertise through talks, workshops, lecturers, you name it, as I have done throughout my career. Over and above that, as a business woman, I am open to wherever life and new opportunities lead me. Let’s go,” she concluded.

 

 

Quick Fire Q&A With Masechaba Khumalo:

 

1. Please tell us a little more about Nuna and what you like about their baby gear?
   The Nuna brand has made a huge impression on me and I was really excited to partner with them on this Batswadi cover shoot. As someone who demands and appreciates quality in everything I do, I was immediately blown away by the engineering of their products, which are not only aesthetically pleasing and made from the high quality materials, but are very user-friendly too! As a busy mother of soon to be three children, I’m looking forward to Nuna’s products fitting perfectly into my life.”
   
   
2. What are you looking forward to with being a boy mom again?
   As someone who is surrounded by amazing men, I really look forward to raising boys who epitomise the kind of men that I am surrounded by and that I was raised by and the kind of man that I am with. I don’t have to look far for inspiration, these incredible men are all around me and I look forward to us raisingthese young boys into men of valour.
   
   
3. What do you know now about motherhood/raising children, that you wished you knew back then?
   How children turn out does not rest solely on what you do. Do your absolute best and let God do the rest!
   
   
4. Do you get cravings? What has been your ultimate craving with this pregnancy?
   Generally no, although my man would beg to differ. He says I’m obsessed with watermelon and he might be right! I’ve also craved inyama yentloko, nomhluzu (good luck translating all that to English LOL) that is sold by street vendors.
   
   
5. Did you find yourself crying a lot (due to the emotions of pregnancy) or laughing a lot more during
   this journey? 
   I’ve had my moments here and there but no extreme mood swings. Quite the contrary, I’ve actually been fairly calm. I’ve been emotionally stable throughout my entire pregnancy – which I do not take for granted at all because I know how hormones can wreak havoc in a woman’s life during pregnancy, which is also allowed.
   
   
6. When did you take your maternity leave? 
   I have been quite active throughout most of my pregnancy. I literally worked until my 9th month. I consciously slowed down a little in my 8th month but still allowed myself the pleasures of life – a little bit of work, a little bit of play, all while listening to my body. My nesting phase was an interesting one for me because it coincided with my departure from the government sector (which in itself felt like a re-birth) and so I  allowed myself the necessary time to retreat, recuperate and realign, which has been very necessary for my mental and spiritual health, in the same way that a detox can be beneficial to the body.

 

 

 

Cover Disclaimer:
*Beading on the stroller featured on the cover was specially commissioned for the Batswadi cover shoot from KZN-based NGO, Woza Moya https://www.wozamoya.co.za/) and is not for sale

Boiler Notes:
About Nuna:
Now available in South Africa, Nuna is a global brand of premium baby gear that has been expertly engineered for modern life. From strollers, car seats and carry cots to baby bouncers and carriers, Nuna’s range of high-performance baby gear is truly “Designed around your life.”

Recognized as one of the brands of choice for numerous A-list Hollywood celebs, Nuna’s timeless range of baby gear is all about superior craftsmanship, premium fabrics and the highest international safety standards.

“Nuna’s style and attention to detail radiates luxury, but at the same time is innovatively designed to make life easier for busy, modern mothers such as Masechaba” explains Nuna South Africa’s Marketing Manager, Claire Hodgkinson.

For us, the launch of Nuna in South Africa represents the coming together of the very best of global and local style and design and we couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate that than by commissioning the talented beaders from Woza Moya to bead one of our award-winning
strollers, the MIXX next.

Learn more at: www.nunababy.com/za
IG: @nuna_southafrica

About Woza Moya:
Based in the rural Valley of 1000 Hills in KwaZulu-Natal, Woza Moya is an awarding-winning social enterprise of the Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust. Woza Moya focusses on uplifting and empowering rural women through skills development, training and economic empowerment using traditional African beading as a vehicle to change lives.

Learn more: www.wozamoya.org.za
IG: @woza_moya