JULY & AUGUST 2019 | 9weather all life’s storms with her. And
no matter whom I meet and fall in love
with and/or marry, she’ll always be my
first love.
She’ll always come first.
SARA MAKALA,
HEILBRON, FREE STATE
LOST FOREVER
My mother passed away just as
I entered my teens. My body was
changing daily, my hormones fluctuated
and created a mess in my head.
I was lonely, and when I tried to find
friends on social media, I found people
with perfect lives, which made me feel
even more of a loser.
I was struggling to know who I am,
what I wanted and whether I even
deserved to live.
Behind my cute smile, laughter and
my, “Nothing, I’m fine” answer was
a broken girl who was facing so much.
I wanted someone to talk to, not
just about my studies, but to have real
conversations with. Being a shy girl, I
needed someone who could make me
feel comfortable without judging me.
I wanted to talk about my body, my
emotional distress and my periods,
which made me feel like I was dirty.
I felt ashamed that I was
menstruating and thought it was
something that I had to keep secret.
I wanted to talk about dating,
drinking and every damn thing that my
peers were doing.
Even though I didn’t have a perfect
body and had pimples all over my face,
I wanted to be told I’m beautiful, even if
just once.
To feel special. To come home and
be surprised with chocolates, birthday
presents and my favourite milkshake
without having to date a boy to get all
those things.
I wanted to be told I’m worthy and
deserve the best. I didn’t want to seekFormer Miss South Africa and
businesswoman Jo-Ann Strauss, mom of
three, recently posted on Instagram that:
“Even if it offends you, I’m going to feed
my baby whenever and wherever because
it’s good for my child. If it offends you, look
away. It offends me that it offends you, so
there, we’re even. I always cover up when
I breastfeed in public. I have no intention or
desire to flash you my boob. I wish society
would be less judgmental of women who
are doing the most natural thing instead of
making them feel unwelcome or awkward.”
In 2013, supermodel Gisele Bündchen
posted a “multitasking” photo of herself on
Instagram breastfeeding her daughter while
having her hair, makeup and nails done. The
image became iconic, and many celebrities
have since posted similar photos.
Last year, American model Nicole
Phelps, who’s married to Olympic swimmer
Michael Phelps posted a pic of herself
pumping milk during a gala dinner she
attended. She wrote: “Motherhood is one of
the most incredible experiences, and being
able to breastfeed is a gift. This was the
longest stretch of time I was without Beckett
since he was born. I knew he needed milk
often, and thankfully I had a milk runner
to get him more. I stepped away from our
foundation gala to take a moment and pump- hands free – thankful I could sit with my
back to the room we were in and get it done.
“Some won’t agree with where I did this
and, even worse, if I were sitting there with
Beckett nursing, people might judge me.
But breastfeeding is natural. I want it to be
known women don’t have to hide in
a bathroom to take a moment to provide our
babies with food.
“We should be able to, without judgment
nurse/pump anywhere we’re comfortable...
because we all know you’re not going to ‘let
down’ if you’re not relaxed.”
While promoting her movie Bad Moms
in 2016, Mila Kunis revealed that she
received “shameful” looks from strangers
while breastfeeding her daughter, Wyatt,
in public.
“In the States and in our culture, we
sexualise the breast so much that people just
don’t know how to wrap their head around
the idea of showing your breast in public,” she
said, adding, “If it’s not for you, don’t look.”
In 2017, singer Pink posted a selfie on
Instagram wearing a pumping bra in
a bathroom on a tour stop in Europe.
“Thanks for sharing real life as a working
mom! It helps me get through my own day!”
a fellow mama commented on the post.
The singer has previously said that that’s
basically the reason why she’s so open about
her experience of motherhood, to help “other
mamas know they are not alone”.
Last year on Father’s Day, crooner John
Legend posted a pic of his wife, model
Chrissy Teigen, pumping on their way out
on a date.
“I know it’s Father’s Day and all, but my
wife is pretty awesome. She’s taking me to
dinner but still on mommy duty.”
(Additional info from Motherly)that validation and approval from
a potential playboy out there, who’d
likely exploit my vulnerability and
self-doubt.
That’s why I take my hat off to all
those mothers who nurture and listen
to their children, mothers who allow
their children to express themselves
and their views.
Mothers who tell their children every
day that they matter and that their
thoughts matter.
I envy those children who are
allowed to err and made to understand
that to err is human.
Mothers are in a category of their
own. I miss my own. I still love her
and will always do!
PULANE SOETSANG,
FRANKFORT, FREE STATE@johnlegend@pink@jo_annstraussBOOBS OUT!
Spats about breastfeeding in public happen with predictable regularity.
Some celebs weigh in on the matter...