Award-winning and seasoned SuperSport presenter Lindiwe Dube welcomed her baby boy a year ago. She reflects on how motherhood has transformed her and contributed to her personal growth. Goodwill Thomo chatted to her.
How has the experience of motherhood been so far?
Motherhood has been a beautiful journey, yet very challenging and demanding. It requires you to show up every day, no matter how you feel. For example, I am breastfeeding so I have to be in good spirits because they always say that a child can sense your energy when you are breastfeeding them.
Motherhood has taught me to be patient, selfless, and to put my child first. You have to pay meticulous attention to detail. I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. I am super grateful. Waking up to my son’s smile and being called “mama” is a great joy for me.
I believe my greatest blessing is my mother, and I hope to be like her for my son. The most important role for me is that of a mother, providing love and support for my child.
How would you describe your pregnancy overall?
It was great. I didn’t have morning sickness or nausea. However, my sense of smell was heightened. I found out at 6 weeks that I was pregnant because I was also experiencing fatigue, and then I took a test. When I found out that I was pregnant, I was excited.
Tell us about your birth experience…
I planned to have a water birth but couldn’t because of complications. The birth of my son was traumatic. When he was born, I couldn’t hold him because I had to have an emergency C-section. They rushed him to the ICU, so I couldn’t hold him.
The happiest moment of my life was when I heard my baby cry for the first time. It was a relief because he didn’t cry when he was born, causing worry about his well-being.
Why is breastfeeding important to you?
Well, it didn’t happen instantly for me because my child, after birth, spent a few days in the ICU. He came home after a week.
I’ve always wanted to breastfeed and heard great things about it. I understand that not everyone can breastfeed. You can be blessed with a child and still not have milk. I had milk and I was grateful for that. Breastfeeding is also convenient for me because I love sleeping, so I don’t have much time to prepare a bottle for him.
I have the advantage of being able to breastfeed and spend quality time with my child when I am not working due to my flexible work schedule, which helps to strengthen our bond.
Tell us more about your baby boy
He is an amazing child. He went through so much at birth because he had to fight. He’s brave, smart, sweet, and generous. Now that he’s getting older, he’s very clingy and is such a mama’s boy.
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What’s your parenting style?
I am a gentle parent. I am also trying not to parent like my parents did. I am striving to be a different parent. We are aware of mental health and childhood trauma, so I am always trying to be gentler with my child.
How did you choose a nanny?
I’ve had bad experiences with nannies. I have had three of them within a period of 8 months. As a mother, I am extremely cautious due to my son’s past medical issues, including being in the ICU after birth. Therefore, I am very particular about what I allow him to be exposed to.
What are the biggest lessons in your life so far?
For me, the biggest thing is time. Even before becoming a parent, I had always respected time. I have learned to be present and stop chasing materialistic things. When you die, you leave all those things here on earth.
What was the most surprising aspect of motherhood?
I think for me, it was trying to lose my pregnancy weight–I am still struggling with that. Everyone’s journey is different; some people can give birth and 2 months later their bodies will snap back into their pre-pregnancy body.
How do you prioritise your child’s health and nutrition?
I have great books, and I am open to learning new things. Obviously, there were things that our parents couldn’t afford for us while we were growing up; my mom was a domestic worker. Our generation has the advantage of pursuing good jobs and wanting a brighter future for our children, so I am always exploring new recipes for my child.
My relatives often send me Instagram reels of recipes, which I found incredibly useful because it allows me to experiment with new recipes.
What advice would give to a working mother like you?
My advice is to have a great support structure because it takes some of the load off your shoulders. Motherhood is a lot, and you constantly have to show up, so having your loved ones around you is important.
What are your plans for 2024 ?
This year, I am focusing on rebuilding my brand. Since becoming a mother, a lot has changed. I want to regain my image and return to the person I was before becoming a mother.
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