Ms Manche is more than just an instagram star and hopes that Showmax’s newest reality TV ‘The Mommy Club’ will be proof of that. The Mommy Club follows five glamorous Jozi momfluencers on how they navigate the challenges of parenting while also maintaining their high-end lives. 

 

The five also include The Real Housewives of Johannesburg’s former breakout star Mpumi Mops, author and motivational speaker Happy ‘Her Majesty’ Simelane, event planner, florist and new mom Nunurai, and beauty and health entrepreneur Ratile Mabitsela. 

 

The busy business woman took time off to share about her motherhood journey.

 

 

 

 

Why did you say yes to be part of The Mommy Club?

In the past I have been approached by many reality TV shows but none of them spoke to me. But this one is a perfect fit because it’s noy just centered around drama but around showing our lives holistically as wives, business women, friends and as moms. And with that I knew that this one was the one I am supposed to do. I am excited that people get to see more of me, my personality, my strengths, my weaknesses and get to see how I juggle my life. 

 

What does motherhood mean to you? 

It means the purest love that I have ever felt, that is the most rewarding. Where you can literally see your efforts and see your love being reciprocated. It means a lot of patience (LOL) and growing with your children. We tend to forget that we also learn from our children no matter what age they are, you also growth and become a better person through your children

 

Have you always wanted to be a mother? 

Yes. It’s so funny that my mother always reminds me that when I was young I would always say “I want to have many businesses, seven children and a big house”. So she (mother) always reminds me that I am only on number three and that I owe them 4 more (LOL). I am quick to say “no no no, I am done. That was a child’s dream.”

 

In episode one you hinted on a possible number four…is this your plan to the seven children? 

Oh my goodness, I can never have seven  (LOL). Never. But the fourth one is a strategic plan because all  three of my children are almost in the same age group (one, three and four) – so I always think they will  go off to varsity and leave me by myself. So I have already planned my laat lammetjie who will remain with me (LOL).

 

 

 

 

What has motherhood taught you?

Motherhood has taught me the deepest and consistent patience that you can ever imagine. The type that says you have to wake up at midnight even if you don’t feel like it, you have to over extend yourself for the betterment of another human being. It has also taught me selflessness and unconditional love. 

 

What do you know now about motherhood or raising children that you wish you knew back then? 

Not to stress so much and that there is no perfection in motherhood. I think my third child is getting the best of me because I’m not fussy about the little things like them touching certain things. You just have to trust the will of God and trust that your child is growing well. I also believe that your fears and insecurities have a way of transferring onto them. Of course kids will get sick and certain things will happen but you can only pray and take care of them as much as you can. 

 

How do you juggle motherhood and motherhood?

Honestly, I could never do it without my support system. My mother, nanny and my husband. Their support allows me to be a better person and enables me to juggle my entire life. After Noble, I struggled to bounce back onto my feet. I struggled with feeling confident but mother kept reminding me to not be too harsh on myself and not pressurize myself. It took about four months to start getting back into the groove of things. During that time, I went through the emotions of not feeling good as they came – I cried when I had to and confronted them. I spoke to the people around me and they would help me snap out of it. So a support system is really important in making your life work. No man is an island.

 

 

 

 

Why is it important for mother’s to have their own identity outside of motherhood? 

I always say that a happy mom translates into happy children and you can’t give from an empty cup. So those vacations with your husband or boyfriend, solo staycations, trips with friends, long bubble baths and pampering are also needed for your own mental health. The new age woman, we are so blessed that we are not brutally judged for wanting to juggle it all and that is so helpful with our motherhood journey. 

I had to master the fact that I have to feel good first before I can be a better mother and wife. Having a schedule for the children also helps me juggle my days and also eliminates the factor of feeling guilty from time to time. 

 

How were you raised? 

I was raised with a lot of love from both my parents together, even though they ended up divorcing. The 30 years they spent together that raised me, I got to see love, we had money and we didn’t – which I am so grateful for because that taught me about being strong and weathering the storms etc. My dad and mother were very open with their love for each other and us, and I have taken those lessons onto my motherhood journey. On how to be patient and loving towards my own family. 

 

How important is it to be a firm mother? 

Toddlers will be toddlers and toddler will try you (LOL) but you have to be assertive at times, as difficult as it might be. If anyone would ask me what is the most difficult thing about motherhood, I would say discipline. You are in between  trying to discipline them strongly to send the message that you are not joking while also not trying to be too soft. It’s a challenging balance to find but an important one too. 

 

 

Myself and some fabulous moms have been up to alot, your going to want to see what… catch us soon on @showmaxonline cant wait✨ #MommyClubShowmax #part2 pic.twitter.com/L0nPJ1L5ib

— Tshego Manche (@MsManche) May 29, 2023

 

 

What is your number advice that you have for mommies out there? 

Don’t be so hard on yourself. Not everybody knows what to do off-the-bat but I have come to learn that you master things as you go. For working moms, you are doing the best that you can for your children, it is not in vain. Just be sure to strike a balance between yourself, your children and your work. Also, when you are at home, try to be off your phone so you can be present with your children. 

 

What is your ultimate wish for your children? 

For them to be happy and always be protected. 

 

New episodes of The Mommy Club are released every Tuesday on Showmax.