Meet Theo Kgosinkwe’s baby girl
The South African music star and his wife, Vourné, are besotted with their adorable Oratilwe Alexis-Sky
HIS little girl is fast asleep in the nursery upstairs while kwaito music plays softly in the lounge. He may be one of South Africa’s most well-known musicians but at home he plays second fiddle to the latest addition to his household.
Theo Kgosinkwe, one half of the successful music duo Mafikizolo, is besotted with his new baby girl. He and wife Vourné Kgosinkwe welcomed little Oratilwe Alexis-Sky in January and the newborn has taken centre stage in their lives.
The singer, who has two children from his previous marriage, knows how important it is for moms to catch their breath but Vourné doesn’t want to miss a thing.
“She’s very close to the baby,” Theo says. “Sometimes I want her to rest and trust me with her, even if it’s just for 15 minutes. Fifteen minutes might not be much, but it could do a lot for her as a first-time mom.”
We’re chatting to the couple in Roodepoort, Johannesburg. Their helper, who steps in as an extra pair of hands, welcomes us into their three-bedroom home where Theo’s accolades and awards dot the TV stand.
“It’s not much,” he says of the house. “Coming from my marriage ending and everything, I had to start life again. I had to move out and start afresh.”
In 2018 Theo split from Rose Kgosinkwe, his wife of 17 years. He found love again in the arms of Vourné, who is 20 years his junior. After dating for two years, he proposed on her birthday last year. The couple wed in a romantic ceremony in September, surrounded by a few family members and friends.
They’d wanted a big bash to celebrate their love, but lockdown – and Theo’s wish to be married before starting a family – prevented them from having the wedding of their dreams.
“I was ready for a baby, but Theo (47) wanted to do things the right way,” says Vourné (27), who was four months’ pregnant on their wedding day. “I felt like I’m getting old, and I wanted a baby because people kept telling me if I don’t have a baby by 25 then I might struggle.”
She’s smitten with their daughter, Theo says. “Our baby is my wife’s wish to God.”
AS PART of Setswana custom, the couple have up until now refrained from showing their baby’s face on social media. She’s their perfect gift, Vourné tells us. “We’d always pray, and I’d tell God how this baby must look because Theo taught me I should be very specific when I pray,” she says.
Oratilwe Alexis-Sky has her mom’s nose and curly hair. But “she has her dad’s head because mine’s a bit bigger”, Vourné says with a chuckle.
Theo isn’t complaining. “I wanted her
to look like her mom because she’s just beautiful,” he quips.
When they found out Vourné was expecting, the couple couldn’t agree on a name. At first Theo wanted to name her Zendaya, after the American actress.
He chose Oratilwe (which means “she is loved”) as a nod to his Setswana roots but Vourné calls her Sky. “I always said my child’s name would be Sky because at school there was this little girl in our class who was just perfect, and her name was Skyler. I added Alexis but I call her Sky,” she says.
“Everyone can call her Sky, but Daddy will call her Oratilwe,” Theo says. “I want my daughter to know where she comes from and who she is. She’ll always have that background of a Tswana even if she has a sharp nose and curly hair.”
He was there to support Vourné through the difficult early parts of her pregnancy. In many ways his career being on pause because of the pandemic was a blessing in disguise, they say.
Theo and Vourné both contracted Covid-19 three months into her pregnancy. Vourné also experienced terrible morning sickness – in the early days, it was so bad she barely left their bedroom.
“Theo encouraged me to stay calm and sit in the sun because I was just in the room,” she says. “He was very supportive. He didn’t miss any doctor’s appointment. I liked that he was with me for the whole nine months.”
By the time her morning sickness had passed, the pair grew even closer. “We eventually ended up having Wimpy breakfast every morning,” she says.
“We bonded even more because we were very scared,” Theo adds.
The past few months have been challenging, but their love for each other has kept them going. “The birth of our baby has been the most rewarding part of our journey and getting married is something we wanted despite the emotional or financial challenges,” he says.
“Now we’ve got moments where we look back and say, ‘Wow’.”
THEO didn’t imagine he’d end up having a big biracial blended family when he reached out to Vourné on social media a few years ago. “I’m not the type to slide into DMs because people have been known to take a screenshot of the direct message and expose [it] to the public, but I took a risk to see if she will respond,” he says.
Four years later, he doesn’t regret putting himself out there. Vourné, he says, is his perfect partner.
“I love her personality, she’s always smiling and laughing. She gives me a good vibe and allows me to be myself.”
The couple share their home with Vourné’s little brother, Ethan (10). Theo’s son, Oatlegile Theo Junior (17), stays over regularly while his daughter, Zoe (10), lives with her mom.
His kids have a great relationship with his wife. Because Vourné slept over at his place from time to time while they were dating, he introduced her to them before his parents. “My daughter was happy Vourné makes me happy. They bonded and built a relationship.
“Now my son is overtaking my daughter. He wants to be closer to Vourné so he confides in her and seeks her advice. He tells her all about his girlfriend and says, ‘Don’t tell my dad,’” he says with a laugh.
Theo admits he’s a strict dad. “I guess it comes from how we were raised. My father doesn’t talk that much, but when he speaks you know the lion has roared. I’m like my dad – when I say one word then they know.”
On the career front things are on the move again, Theo says. He’s been hitting the studio with Mafikizolo band member Nhlanhla Nciza to work on a new single, which they plan to release next month.
They’re working on a new album for next year to celebrate their 25 years in the music business. “Music has evolved so much so there’s a lot in this album people have not heard from Mafikizolo,” says Theo, who describes it as a mix of dance and love songs.
Luckily it won’t take him too far from home so he can still spend time with his tight-knit brood.
‘I WAS READY FOR A BABY, BUT THEO WANTED TO DO THINGS THE RIGHT WAY. I FELT LIKE I WAS GETTING OLD’