Exclusive Former ‘Muvhango’ Actress Innocentia Manchidi Welcomes Second Baby

Innocentia rose to fame in 2011 when she joined defunct SABC 2 soapie Muvhango as Rendani while still in matric, a role she carried with distinction until the soapie’s finale in 2025. Over the years, she has expanded her reach beyond television, building a strong presence in the radio and digital content creation spaces.

Now, Innocentia’s biggest role is unfolding at home. With two children under her care, she is navigating sleepless nights, sibling dynamics and the emotional stretch of ensuring her eldest daughter continues to feel seen and cherished.

She opens up to BabyYumYum about the highs and lows of motherhood, the lessons it has taught her and how this chapter continues to shape her identity as a woman, a wife and a mother.

How has life changed since becoming a mother of two?

I’m still finding my feet in this new season of motherhood. Life is certainly busier and more demanding now and I’m learning to adjust to a completely different routine, from early mornings to being up throughout the night. One of the biggest adjustments has been learning how to divide my time and attention between two children. I’m still figuring out what that balance looks like and how to navigate it in a way that works for our family. While so much of my focus is on my children, I’m also intentional about making time for myself. I’ve realised how important it is to take care of my own wellbeing because you cannot pour into others when you’re running on empty. I’m learning that prioritising myself isn’t selfish; it’s necessary if I want to show up as the best version of myself for my children.

In what ways did your second pregnancy differ from your first

It was just as beautiful as my first pregnancy. The biggest difference was that I was extremely exhausted. I don’t know what was happening, but I was tired all the time and sleeping a lot. I was much heavier than I was when I carried my daughter. Before we even found out the gender, I could tell that the pregnancy was different. With my daughter, I had all the pregnancy symptoms, but I wasn’t as heavy and I wasn’t as tired. This time around, fatigue took centre stage. Health-wise, both pregnancies were very smooth. I didn’t have any major complications or challenges. Everything went well and I am grateful for that.

What was going through your mind when you held your son for the first time?

I honestly thought I had everything covered emotionally because I had done this before. I thought I would handle it differently this time around, but I was far more emotional. I cried throughout the entire procedure. My doctor has a tradition of singing when the baby arrives and as soon as they started singing, I just couldn’t control the tears.

My mom was my birth partner again and she kept asking if I was okay because she thought I was in pain. She kept saying, ‘Are you okay? The baby is okay. Everything is fine.’ But I was just overwhelmed with emotion. When they brought him to me, the first thing I noticed was how much he looked like his sister. It immediately took me back to the first time I saw her, and it felt so nostalgic. It was magical. It was one of the most God-filled moments of my life. There is nothing more powerful than witnessing life come into the world. I felt God’s presence in that room, and I just knew that if I thought I was blessed before, I was about to be blessed even more.

What has been the biggest challenge of adjusting to life with two children?

The biggest challenge has been remembering that my oldest child is still a baby too. Once, a family member told her not to cry because she would wake the baby, and I immediately stopped them. I reminded them that she’s still just a child herself and doesn’t understand that. She needs just as much love and grace as the baby does.

Sometimes, because she’s almost three years old and looks so much bigger than the baby, it’s easy to forget that she’s still very little. She’s just taller, more active and a little more aware, but she’s still a baby. I constantly remind myself that she needs the freedom to express her emotions. If she wants to throw a tantrum, I need to allow that tantrum to happen. She doesn’t understand that there’s a baby who also needs attention and consideration. My responsibility is to remind myself that she’s still a child and to make sure she feels seen, heard and loved while we adjust to this new chapter as a family.

How is your daughter adjusting to becoming a big sister?

The first days at home were hilarious because my daughter didn’t believe her brother was real. She would peek at him, tell me to move away, or sit next to him and get scared when he moved. Eventually, she realised he was here to stay and became more considerate. When he cries, she understands I need to feed or comfort him, gives me space, then asks for her turn. She’s incredibly gentle, holding his hand, sitting beside him, or wanting to help.

Of course, she’s still a baby herself, so there are moments when she wants all my attention, and I make sure she gets it. If both children cry at once, I attend to her first because she’s at an age where things register. The baby won’t remember, but she might. I never want her to feel pushed aside; she’s more aware of her world now and I want her to know Mommy is always available when she needs me.

What has been the most beautiful part of watching your children together?

Seeing how gentle she is with him. She really wants to be involved in everything. If he’s crying, she wants to help me. If he’s feeding, she’ll hold his hand. Sometimes she’ll run to him before I even get there, and I’ll find her gently patting him on the back. She still has all her baby toys and loves showing him how they work. She’ll sit there teaching him and talking to him as though he completely understands.

Watching her slowly fall in love with her little brother has been one of the most beautiful things. It’s been so special to see her realise that this is someone she wants to love, protect and be around. My husband and I always wanted our children to be close in age. We spent a lot of time thinking about the age gap and what would work best for our family. Seeing the bond they are already developing makes us feel like we made the right decision. Watching her love him and be happy that he’s here makes it all feel worth it.

In what ways has your husband been present for you during this time?

He’s very hands-on. This pregnancy was a little different because he travelled a lot for work, and even now he’s away on a work trip. So, physically, he hasn’t been as available as he was during my first pregnancy, but there’s a difference between being available and being present. He’s very present. When he’s home, he’s fully involved and very supportive.

We recently moved back home after staying with my parents for a while, and that adjustment has been interesting because there was always someone around to help. My family was incredible during my postpartum period. I had my parents, my sisters and my husband supporting me. There was never a moment when I lacked anything. They made sure I could focus on healing and taking care of the baby. It was truly amazing.

Welcoming another child can change even the strongest relationships. How has this experience impacted your marriage?

Children change everything. My husband and I have a very solid marriage, but children will shake things up because you’re doing something you’ve never done before. We thought we had parenting figured out after our first child. Then our second child arrived and we realised that parenting two children is completely different. Suddenly, you’re making decisions about two little people instead of one.

What I’ve learned is that you need to choose someone who genuinely wants to be a parent and walk the journey with you because parenting requires teamwork. It’s also taught us to be gentler and more considerate of each other. We’re both learning; neither of us has all the answers, and we’re figuring it out together. I understand why some relationships struggle after children because parenting changes everything. You have to be intentional about staying connected as a couple.

How has motherhood shaped the woman you are becoming?

Motherhood has made me more intentional about the kind of person I want to be and the kind of world I want my children to grow up in. It has made me more patient, compassionate and understanding. I give people more grace now because I’ve realised that everyone is carrying something.

It’s also given me a deeper appreciation for my parents. I understand now how much they sacrificed for us and how much effort went into creating a loving home. Motherhood has softened me in many ways. It has made me kinder, more thoughtful and more aware of the impact we have on the people around us.

As you continue to grow, what can people expect from you?

I want to continue growing and challenging myself. I’d love to explore more opportunities in broadcasting and media, including learning more about what happens behind the scenes. I enjoy being in front of the camera and behind the microphone, but I also want to stretch myself and keep learning. For me, it’s all about growth, exploring new opportunities and continuing to evolve both personally and professionally.