Cindy Nell-Roberts: my family are my all
Cindy Nell-Roberts has swopped modelling for motherhood – and that’s just fine by her!
THERE was a time when her days were filled with modelling gigs, wall-towall glamour and heady rounds of interviews and appearances. But these days family is what makes her heart beat faster and puts a glorious smile on her face. Sixteen years after she won the Miss South Africa title, Cindy Nell-Roberts couldn’t be happier about being out of the limelight. She’s content to spend her time running her business and bonding with her husband and two kids.
“They fill my heart and soul in so many ways that the life of a celebrity no longer does,” Cindy says. “If I had to choose, I’d choose family time any day.”
Until recently Cindy was a judge on M-Net’s Wedding Bash(ers) but she says she missed her family too much when she had to travel to shoot the hit reality show. While she enjoyed the glitz and glam of all those weddings, being away from her pigeon pair, Ethan (7) and Aenea (5), really got to her.
“My kids are at an age now when I don’t want to miss a single second. I’m worried that when they’re teenagers and want to be in their room or with their friends I’ll regret not having been here for that special time when their absolute favourite thing was to be with me,” Cindy (36) explains.
But there’s a no-nonsense side to this mom too. Cindy describes herself as someone who “likes to get things done” – a trait she says she got from her dad, Chris Nell, who was a sergeant major in the air force.
Her husband, businessman Clive Roberts (46), agrees. “She’s quite strict about things such as manners and respect,” he says. “But she’s a very physical mom, always hugging, laughing and cuddling the kids.”
IT’S 16 years since Cindy was crowned Miss SA but she still turns heads. She’s not fazed about getting older. “I’ve never looked better and I’m fit. I’m happy and calm, my dreams have all come true and I can enjoy them now. It’s so much cooler to be older and know who you are.”
A healthy lifestyle keeps her at her best. “I do barre body, which is a mixture of ballet, Pilates, yoga and boxing. And I climb as many stairs as I can and eat really well.
“Last year I tried to be a vegan but it was too hard. Now I just eat lean, freerange protein, lots of salad and veg, and hardly any carbs.”
Although family comes first, Cindy is still active in the business world and says she’s not quitting the TV industry entirely.
“I’m working on a project now where I’ll have my own show, film during the week and not travel so much,” she says.
This year she’s also focusing on her empowerment project, Women4Women. One of its aims is working with Miss South Africa finalists to develop entrepreneurial skills among women.
She and Clive also run a make-up and beauty company, Cosmetix, which produces popular brands such as Caribbean Tan and Essence, and recently introduced cosmetics brand Lov Yourself.
“We work for ourselves so we’re flexible and we spend a lot of time with the kids because we can work at night if we need to.”
Family time is spent at home in the pool or hot tub, or in their home theatre.
Being a mom has made her realise “how important it is we accept ourselves for who we are because even young kids make you realise how fundamentally different every person is”.
“Even though they have the same parents and upbringing, my two kids are so different. Ethan is a lot more like Clive, while Aenea is more like me. He’s a little engineer and a thinker, quite strong and stubborn, while his sister is like me – she wants to save the world, loves a good celebration and loves to perform.”
Cindy and Aenea build puzzles together, or when they’re at their farmhouse at Nottingham Road in KwaZulu-Natal mom and daughter often bake together, lie on the river bank or pick flowers.
“Ethan’s favourite things are Harry Potter stories at bedtime and wake-up kisses.”
At the time of our interview Cindy was looking forward to Mother’s Day which they planned to spend on the farm. “The kids will bring me breakfast in bed and make me cards and gifts like cups and paint things. They usually buy me little gifts (which I know their dad buys) but they also empty out their piggy banks which is quite sweet. Their dad also spoils me on Mother’s Day, so I’m looking forward to that.”
She says she’s lucky Clive is a hands-on dad. “He’s very involved. He plays chess with Ethan. They go fishing or canoeing, or they build Lego, and Aenea loves to sit on his lap or watch Peppa Pig together.”
Cindy adores her husband. “He can be difficult, like most men, but he’s just a good person who has a calming influence on me.”
They enjoy entertaining at home and Cindy says she loves dancing, dressing up and having lots of people and music around.
“I’m the first one in the pool at night and happy for my kids to fall asleep on me. I’m a great cook but don’t like to cook unless it’s a production, so we rather just have salads and chicken.”
‘If I had to choose, I’d choose family time any day’
ONCE the family are gathered for the photo session, Aenea puts an arm around her brother. “They’re very close and really adorable together,” Cindy says. “Sometimes Ethan will say to Aenea, ‘Come and lie here in my arms.’ But like normal toddlers they sometimes fight and drive me crazy with their bickering.” As befits the daughter of a beauty queen, Aenea loves make-up. “I let her play with age-appropriate products and we put glitter and lipstick on each other. “Surprisingly, it looks as if Ethan’s going to be the model or actor in the house,” Cindy says. “He likes to do photoshoots if he’s paid for it. He reckons he’s going to be the richest man alive someday,” she says with a smile. “That doesn’t worry me because he has such a good heart.” They’ve decided not to have more kids. “I would’ve loved more,” she says. “But Clive is done and I respect that, so we’re closed for business. “I think we all should achieve at least one great thing in our life. Other than that I just want my kids to be well-balanced, happy, humble people.” S