From navigating postpartum challenges to finding joy in the little things, Masego opens up about how becoming a mother changed her life in ways she never imagined.

Masego naturally has a hard exterior. But behind that stern look and sometimes guarded presence is a far softer person—one who’s grown even more tender since becoming a mother to baby Dintle, the only one who gets to see that gentler side.

Being a mother has awoken parts of her she never knew existed—patience, vulnerability and a quiet gentleness that now colours how she sees the world. Dintle didn’t just make her a mom; he made her softer, more open, and surprisingly affectionate in ways Masego once thought weren’t in her nature.

 

Born and raised in Soweto, raised by her darling mother, Masego has had to overcome many mental health obstacles to get to where she is now.

 

And while this communication expert wears many hats—from being a mom, a daughter, a rakgadi (aunt), a partner, and a loving nkgono (grandmother) to baby Thato—it is being Dintle’s mom that has become the most important role of all. And while her 2-year-old has completely shifted her entire world, she honestly admits that, “I’m still figuring it out.”

A truth where her true magic lies.

 

“For whatever reason, I never pictured myself as someone’s mom,” she candidly admits. “I wasn’t entirely against it, but I also just wasn’t actively planning to be a mom. So Dintle’s arrival was absolutely a surprise, and thee most beautiful surprise to date!”

 

Dintle’s arrival brought about renewed love and purpose she never expected, bringing colour to her life.

 

A Journey of Healing

Masego has long been open, within her private spaces, about her journey with anxiety and depression. So stepping into motherhood, while filled with joy, also deepened her need to be more intentional about her mental well-being.

 

“Being a mom is the biggest role I’ve ever taken on. I had to learn quickly that I won’t always have the answers. When I’m overwhelmed, I ask for help. That’s part of my little ‘mom survival kit.’

“I’ve had to learn to be more patient with myself, to know that I am not always going to have the answers, and that when I feel overwhelmed, I should ask for help.”

 

Her pregnancy journey, she admits, was a tough one—filled with complications, fear and even a stay in the NICU for baby Dintle.
“I remember being readmitted after giving birth. So throughout my pregnancy I had developed pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), which I still have post giving birth.” Masego gave birth via a C-section—an emergency C-section at that.

 

The readmission happened when the cesarean incision became septic.

“My son was still in hospital when I was readmitted… I cried to a friend over the phone because of how overwhelmed I was,” she says, recalling the pain of having her baby still in the hospital while needing to heal herself. Everything felt too much.

 

Post that hiccup, the motherhood wheel didn’t slow down, causing her to feel even more overwhelmed. Early on, the new mom recalls feeling like too many things were going wrong.
“I was really having a tough couple of days leading up to that almost breakdown.” But the love around her carried her through, reminding her of what’s important.

 

“I remember just sitting on the bed on that particular day, and Dintle climbed up and gave me a kiss. It reminded me that yes, things are hard, but the little things? They matter the most.
“That reminded me that life isn’t that bad. That there are small pockets of sunshine,” she added.

 

Finding Herself Again

Two years in, Masego is slowly reclaiming the parts of herself she had to put on pause—something motherhood tends to do to one.
“I definitely lost pieces of me in early motherhood. But now that he’s older, I want to go back to things I love—like choral singing and maybe even vlogging again.”

 

She’s also seeing the world with new eyes. “Motherhood has made me more compassionate. I see now that life isn’t black and white. There’s a whole world of grey—and that’s okay.”

 

Motherhood is like a joy and a daily mission all wrapped in one—something she wakes up for with renewed intention every day.

 

Raised by a single mom, Masego knows just how powerful one parent’s love can be. Her greatest wish is to raise a son who is emotionally in tune with himself.

“We don’t teach Black boys enough about caring for their emotional health. I want Dintle to grow up knowing it’s okay to rest, to cry, to ask for help.”

 

Love in the Little Things

 

The way Masego speaks about Dintle is full of warmth and delight. Even her eyes light up at the slightest mention of Dintle, whose second name is Sibane which means light. Her light.

“When I come home from work, he screams ‘MATEETO!’ and runs to the door. It fills my heart every time.” They share bedtime tea, and he’s already picked up on her love for pyjamas.

“Even when I forget, he reminds me it’s time to change into PJs.”

Her favourite part? The random kisses. “He’s so loving. Even on my hardest days, he makes me smile.”

 

A Note to Herself

Asked if she could write a note to her future self—to the woman raising a teenager—she’d say, “You have done well. Keep striving to be your best self, so you can be a good example to this young man.”

 

In Masego’s story, we are reminded that motherhood isn’t about having it all figured out. It’s about showing up—for your child and for yourself—with grace, patience and a heart full of love.