Two Songs... One Story

Happy Women's Day, South Africa.

There are songs that are just your north star. For me, two of those have kept me grounded for my forever: one that holds my motherhood like a promise, and one that gives me permission to be every version of myself. On Women’s Day I hold both truths up — the weight and the freedom — and say plainly: this is my life, my choices, my quiet courage.

My Single‑Mum Anthem

Being a single mum is dual citizenship.  

My single‑mother vibe. Clean Bandit’s “Rock‑a‑bye Baby” has a line that always lands: “I'm gonna give you all of my love. Nobody matters like you” It is the quiet promise I made in the dark and the steady work I show up for every day.

Raising a child alone means you are the everyday mom and dad, planner and comforter, provider and protector. You carry the weight and your "why" carries you. I was a senior finance manager when my son was born (big dreams to be a CFO), we divorced when he was two years old and everyday I remember what the pediatrician said "Happy Mum, Happy Baby. Both needs to exist without compromise on the stuff that defines us. For me, I love what I do, I love making an impact in the world and I love being a mum. My balance is that there are 24 hours in a day and while my son was in pre-primary and primary school - my non negotiable time was 17h30 to 19h30 - his bath, dinner and bedtime. I would go back to the office at 20h00 and work through the night with my team on budgets, year ends, strategic planning and sometimes he would spend the weekend in the office happily stamping envelopes or tasks the team would give, especially photocopying or picking up printing.

My mind is always my escape, my freedom. You never have to physically leave all you need to do is breathe quietly. Curiosity, questions, and a hunger for learning became the tools I used to build a life for both of us. I love finding the why - from people, places, traditions, books, and the quiet corners of the world. I see mums all around doing groceries, kids, shopping, chores in buns, joggers and probably did not have two minutes to look in the mirror. After you become a mum - you become functional as kids grow, and you start making and adjusting time for yourself again. There is no judgement in that, single or not. There is only love and the steady work of making sure tummies, hearts and minds are full with a little magic on special days.

The Permission to Be Everything

I am allowed to be whole.  

Meredith Brooks’ “Bitch” reminds me of the choice to be unapologetically, imperfectly perfect me: “I’m a little bit of everything, all rolled into one.” That lyric is not an excuse — it’s a map. Choosing yourself costs comfort and approval though it gives consistency, clarity, and the quiet joy of living honestly. I speak when something needs to be said. I meet people where they are. I do not shout for attention; I show up with steady truth. I am just being.

Women are taught to fit into neat boxes. Be polite. Be pleasant. Be regulated. I kindly decline. I give myself permission  to be messy and tender, fierce and soft, contradictory and complete. I am petite. I have a croaky voice. I miss jokes. I am naive. I give. And I am okay with that. Being authentic has meant losing some things and gaining me consistently.

We loose ourselves a little bit everyday when we try to fit it - my hope is that every woman finds herself and holds onto her. Work on being a better you - the goals you have for yourself, listen to your body, your mind, your consciousness - they all speak to you when you open to hear. As women we always measure our worth by the scale, because society has told you that perfection is a size 6, perfect hair, well spoken, perfectly put together! Work on waking up and just loving yourself a little more everyday. Don't be afraid of what you will loose by being you, be excited by what you will gain!

What Women’s Day Means to Me

Women’s Day is not about perfection and its not a day.   

It is about presence. The women who choose themselves, the quiet and the loud ones and the unshakable. It is for the women who carry families, careers, heartbreak, and hope all at once. It is for the small, steady acts that build a life: the bedtime stories, the honest conversations, the mornings you get up and do it again.

This day is a reminder that being okay is enough. Sometimes okay is extraordinary. Sometimes okay is survival and triumph wrapped together. Honour the small wins. Honour the choices that cost you something and gave you everything.

A Simple Invitation

If you are carrying weight today, know this: you are seen.

If you are choosing yourself and losing people along the way, know this: you are growing.

Share a song that keeps you steady. Share a small victory. Tell the story that reminds you you are enough.

Happy Women’s Day — to every woman who is a little bit of everything, all rolled into one.