Celebrate Life – Four Kids Go To Big School
January is a time for new beginnings — one of them involves children moving up a grade or changing schools. Four moms reflect on their little ones’ new academic chapters
DALI CHAUKE, 35, is an admin officer in a government department and mom to four-year-old Nsovo Chauke who is off to pre-school. “The hopes and dreams I have for
my little one… I’ve always wanted my kids to have the very best of what I can afford. I hope to raise them with love and that they can be well-rounded and well-mannered members of society. Every time I ask Nsovo what he’d like to be when he grows up, he says he wants to be a dad [chuckles]. It’s the cutest and funniest thing ever! The wisdom I’ll be imparting on him… He’s obviously still very young, but I’d be happy if he understands that he’s going to school now and must learn to listen, follow instructions and respect his teachers. I hope he remembers the things we’ve taught him at home. My concerns about the new chapter
are… I was emotional at the thought of his first day —what if he cries for me the entire day? But I now get that I have to accept that he’ll be fine. What I thought he’d be like versus how
he has turned out… His older brother is very timid. Nsovo, on the other hand, is a very busy child who talks a lot, but it could be that he’s still young and that his character will change with time. I can already see that he’s a people’s person.
What I love about being a mom… It’s the biggest responsibility and a huge blessing. Some people would love to have kids but can’t, which is why I enjoy every single moment of motherhood.” Nsovo on what he’s looking forward
to… “I’m excited! I know they teach a lot of things and I’ll get to have homework. For now, I love colouring in.”
KEMONG MOPEDI, 35, is a content editor and mom to six-year-old Kamahano Mochela who starts grade one this year. “The hopes and dreams I have for my little one… I pray that my daughter, and my 17-monthold son, become independent, grateful and global children who respect other people’s feelings. Most importantly, I want them to be emotionally intelligent and understand that education, coupled with bravery, will take them places. The wisdom I’d like to impart is…
That she is enough and she must never, at any point, internalise discrimination, but always correct it where she can. My concerns about the new
chapter are… My biggest fear is that she’ll lose her innocence and confidence as she now enters this phase of right or wrong answers, where she also has to sift what she says, instead of shooting from the hip. There’ve been times when she’ll come home singing a song I’ve never heard before, which she either heard at school or from friends, and I immediately get scared that I have no control over what the outside world is going to teach her. What I thought she’d be like versus
how she turned out… From the minute I found out I was having a girl, I prayed for Kamahano to be feisty, smart, outspoken and a no-nonsense kind of girl. She’s everything I wanted her to be and more, and has the driest sense of humour [chuckles]. What I love about being a mom…
I’ve always referred to motherhood as a ‘beautiful struggle’. On the other hand, it feels like I’ve signed up for a free lifetime comedy show because children are hilarious! Having the privilege to mould my two little human beings, or the ‘K-squad’ as I call them, into something great, is an opportunity I don’t take for granted.”
Kamahano on big school… “I’m looking forward to finding out who my teacher’s going to be, and I can’t wait to wear my new uniform.”
STELLA NETSHIOMBO, 38, is a bank branch manager and mom to 13-year-old Masindi Netshiombo who starts grade six this year. “The hopes and dreams I have for
my little one… I’ve always hoped to raise her well, and hope she can be her best in anything she does. I want her to be experimental when she needs to be, but still be a good child. I hope she stays an A student. The wisdom I’d like to impart is…
It’s a jungle out there, especially now that she’s going to a new school that’s co-educational — she comes from an all-girl school. I hope she remains true to herself because puberty is also knocking at her door. My concerns about the new
chapter are… I’m nervous about these changes, especially now that she has to get used to having boys around. I’m not sure how she’ll handle peer pressure and wanting to fit in, while finding new friends. What I thought she’d be like versus
how she turned out…Masindi is very mature, academically driven and very self-disciplined. She used to be an average student, but was in her grade’s top five at the end of last year. I love how she wants to be a scientist who finds cures for rare diseases. She used to be loud and talkative, until her younger sister came along and took over. Now she’s more reserved. What I love about being a mom…
I love that I’m raising girls and feel that they are easier to manage as opposed to boys [chuckles]. I have an open and very close relationship with them, and am truly blessed to have them in my life. I’m also grateful to have a supportive and hands-on husband, which makes motherhood such a joy.” Masindi on what she wants to be when she grows up… “I really want to be a health scientist when I grow up, because I’m tired of seeing people dying painful deaths. I’d also love to build a hospital, in Limpopo, where we are originally from.”
LULAMA MAFUNDA, 36, is a regulatory analyst and mom to 18-year-old son Azola Mafunda who is off to university.
“The hopes and dreams I have for my little one… I had Azola when I was his age so it was scary time of my life He was raised by my mom until age 10, then moved in with me. I’ve always wanted him to dream big and not take the conventional route when it comes to career choices or success. I was raised by a teacher, and I’m in finance, so I want him to do way better than I did. The wisdom I’d like to impart is… The sky’s the limit. He should always challenge himself and do his best in all areas of his life. With that said, he needs to go through certain stages to find himself and grow as an individual. My concerns about the new chapter are…It’s scary because he’s still my baby at the end of the day. I worry he’ll mix with the wrong crowd or get caught up in peer pressure, but I trust that I’ve taught him well. Azola is grounded, so that comforts me. What I thought he’d be like versus how he has turned out… When Azola came to live with me, he was shy and I thought he’d be just like me, but I like the person he’s become — ambitious and confident. There are times when I look at him and wonder if he’s really mine. He’s both book- and street-smart because of his maturity and networking skills. He establishes meaningful relationships wherever he goes and that will take him far.
What I love about being a mom… I know I have two people who look up to me, so I try my best to do better. What I love most is that my kids are my cheerleaders. Azola hypes me up so much — he notices when I change my hair and without fail, tells me how beautiful I am. I love how honest he is with me when we have our heart-to-hearts. He points out things that I do unconsciously that don’t sit well with him.”
Azola on his future plans… “I have my eyes set on studying film and photography, but also have an interest in architecture. I’ve been accepted at three institutions, but I haven’t decided which one I’ll go to just yet.”