‘He is my greatest teacher’ – Relebogile Mabotja on motherhood

It’s safe to say 2020 brought Relebogile Mabotja two new babies – her show Unpacked With Relebogile and her son, whose name she is yet to share.

Her baby boy was born in May and his welcome to the world was wedged in between his mother not only getting a new show off the ground but getting that show ready for television.

As most broadcasters did, Relebogile sought to bring a new podcast to life shortly after the country was sent into lockdown at the beginning of the pandemic. However, life had other plans for her and these plans saw her idea for a podcast become a successful show which aired on SABC3 along with a successful YouTube channel.

“I worked throughout my pregnancy, I worked soon after my child was born… I haven’t stopped working and he’s six months old!” exclaimed Relebogile along with a laugh.

Although it is hard to work and spend large amounts of time away from your newborn as a first-time mom, Relebogile says having her son as a driving force has put a lot of what she does into a new perspective.

“I’ve finally learnt the definition of underslept. I’ve finally learnt the definition of exhausted. I’ve finally learnt the definition of tired but I have also learned the definition of mind over matter. [To say] that when there is a reason, the exhaustion and the frustrations mean nothing.”

“I have also learned my capacity for love that I didn’t know I had and how my heart just grew so big and now my heart is now in this tiny little body.”