HOME FOR CHRISTMAS!
The Duminys are used to celebrating the festive season all over the world, but this year they’ll be in SA – and they’re delighted
ABOVE: Sue, JP, Lexi and Bella are home for the holidays for the first time in years. BELOW RIGHT: Bella loves playing in the ball pit in the bedroom she shares with Lexi.
BY LESEGO MKHIZE PICTURES: JACQUES STANDER
THERE’S a Christmassy atmosphere at the Duminy home in Plattekloof, Cape Town. Sue welcomes us at the front door, two-year-old Lexi on her hip, fiveyear-old Isabella in tow. Behind them is a Christmas tree tastefully decorated in turquoise and silver and a couple of presents are already arranged underneath it, much to Bella’s delight.
This year Christmas will be a little different for the Duminys – and not only because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Many times over the past nine years, the festive season was spent in hotel rooms because JP was playing in a December/January cricket Test series.
“I’d go to the nearest store to get microwave meals because most restaurants were closed and try to create a full Christmas meal,” Sue recalls. “The food tasted horrible but we ate it anyway and appreciated the fact we were together. Those were the days!”
This year cricket will still determine where they’ll be even though JP is no longer a member of the Proteas. He’ll be commentating on the South Africa vs England series and the family will be up in Gauteng as a result, spending time in
Pretoria and also in Hartbeespoort Dam with Sue’s parents on their farm.
Then they’ll be back in the Mother City at their house in Baronetcy Estate.
“We’ll be at home,” Sue says. “I don’t really want to go out because of the coronavirus. We’ll just bake, swim, watch movies and have fun.”
THIS year was meant to be one of adventure and travel for the Duminys. JP retired from cricket at the end of 2019 and they were all set to take a three-month sabbatical travelling around the United States.
Then the pandemic hit and the family found themselves in lockdown with everyone else. But instead of sulking, they embraced the enforced together time with open arms.
“We saw it as an opportunity,” says Sue, who’s a model and an influencer. “It was the first time in more than nine years that JP and I have spent so much time together.”
Lockdown was just what JP needed. “All of a sudden he was a full-time dad,” she says. “It was something he’d been craving for the longest time.
“The kids enjoyed having their dad home for such a long time because usually he’s away on games for, like, 10 months of the year. So even though lockdown was a massive adjustment it was also so rewarding.”
During lockdown the family of four were joined by five other family members. “We decided to go into isolation with JP’s extended family: his mom, his sister, her fiancé, their kid and JP’s brother,” Sue tells us.
“I’m so happy we did that. We had a whiteboard in our lounge and every day we’d check in with one another. Everyone had their designated chores.”
As well as being able to spend quality time with loved ones, Sue got to put her feet up as JP’s chef brother, Luke Bergman (23), took control of the kitchen.
“We were lucky because he prepped some of the best dishes,” she says.
Like many parents, Sue was faced with the challenge of home-schooling. “I tried with Bella but it only lasted for one day,” she says with a chuckle. “I think most parents will agree with me when I say teaching is something we should leave to the professionals. Bella would even tell me I was her mommy, not her teacher and she was absolutely right!”
When it comes to educating Bella about the coronavirus, Sue and JP highlight the importance of wearing a mask and keeping hands clean.
“At first she didn’t understand what all the fuss was about masks but we explained to her as best as we could without alarming her, so she knew why she couldn’t go to school or see her friends.”
Bella loves being a big sister to Lexi. When the pair aren’t playing hula-hoop and adorning each other with stickers, they love to play dress-up in their pretty pink bedroom that Sue decorated.
“We also love to snuggle up on the couch as a family under blankets and watch movies.”
During our chat, little Lexi snuggles up to her mommy, grey blanket in hand.
“She loves this little blankie,” Sue says, rocking the tot on her lap. “Funnily enough, JP also has a blanket he sometimes can’t sleep without and carries everywhere,” she says with a giggle. “It must be hereditary.”
Sue makes motherhood look easy – so what’s her secret? “I’m not shy to ask for help,” she says.
“Usually my mother-in-law is with us for the weekend or the kids visit her. Just being able to have that alone time helps a lot.”
She also emphasises the importance of finding time to spend with your partner.
“At least once a month JP and I do something without the kids. We have date nights or a mini getaway. Kids – especially at this age – can be all-consuming so it’s important to connect with your partner regularly.”
Gorgeous Sue is something of a star on social media.
“I don’t want to say I keep up with the trends. I do my own thing and I absolutely love TikTok.
“If I think something is funny and I get a crazy idea I just whip out my camera in the moment because those are always the best shots.
“I think it’s quite important to always be your authentic self – that’s the best way to not only keep followers but to grow your platforms too.”
TAKING us on a tour of her home, Sue tells us everything has recently been renovated except for the bedrooms. “The house had a Victorian style to it, from the panes and the tiles
SSue, Lexi and Bella love spending time in the garden of their home in Plattekloof, Cape Town. to the lighting and the décor. JP and I wanted a more modern, minimalistic theme.”
Her favourite parts of the home are the kitchen and the braai-bar area which overlooks the pool.
“I call this my Zen zone,” she says. “I usually come here to sit and chill.”
If there’s anything Sue has taken away from this year it’s the importance of caring for others.
“Just being with JP and seeing how much he’s taken care of others, be it loved ones or complete strangers, inspired me to do the same,” Sue says.
“JP always says you’re blessed to bless others and I think that’s something to leave 2020 with.”
Sue’s festive message to YOU readers? “Have patience; show lots of love; and most importantly, be kind to one another because it’s been a difficult year for all of us.”