MOTHER’S DAY WITH SA CELEBS

As the special day approaches, popular local stars share their thoughts and ideas

AS FAR as important days on the calendar go, Mother’s Day is easily top by a mile. Ask any mom – she’ll tell you!

It’s a day in which mothers are honoured, celebrated, showered with love and affection and, of course, showed appreciation by way of gifts – often very expensive gifts.

Popular South African model Lee-Ann Liebenberg has been enjoying motherhood for the last seven years. She has two daughters Gia, 7, and three-year-old Bella.

Liebenberg says she is “obsessed with fragrances” and has a scent for every mood and occasion. Hints for a Mother’s Day gift, could not be clearer.

“A new perfume would be lovely,” she said, with no indication whether she was expecting it from her daughters.

Though she admits: “Anything from my children would be special!”

The 35-year-old Liebenberg’s plans for Sunday involve spending quality time with her children and about 20 friends and their own children at a popular Cape Town hangout.

A fun-filled afternoon is forecast.

Liebenberg has also been praising her own mom, Adrienne, who she describes as “amazing” and “inspirational”.

Radio and TV personality Elana Afrika-Bredenkamp is also excited about celebrating Mother’s Day.

She has two daughters, Annabelle and Esther Beth.

Afrika-Bredenkamp says she is one for “simple, important things, hugs and words that uplift.

“I’m also hoping for some hot chocolate and watching a movie with my girls.”

And she has some very simple advice: “If you are gifting mom, make it special, really special.

“Motherhood is reward- ing and not always easy, so you want to show your mom how much she really means to you.

“A home-made card in the mail and flowers delivered if you live far away and a faceto-face lunch or dinner with loads of hugs and kisses.”

Afrika-Bredenkamp has very fond memories of Mother’s Day when she was younger.

She and her siblings would “make breakfast for mommy in bed”.

“I remember, even if she was awake, the idea was for her to stay in bed until we arrived with the tray in bed. She’d pretend to sleep, so that we’d ‘wake her up’ and then enjoy her breakfast in bed.”

Celebrity Chef Siba Mtongana, who has just finished shooting a third season of her popular cooking show, Siba’s Table, is a mother of two boys.

The 33-year-old believes the kitchen is where the best memories with mothers are made and recalls, with much excitement, a recipe passed down to her by her mom.

“On this Mother’s Day you can share great moments and spend quality time with your mom trying out “our traditional midday snack – mfino lade of onion, spinach and maize meal is one of my favourites.

“I even jazzed it up with fritters topped with soy mayo and cooked smoked peppered salmon,” she said.