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Nandi Madida launches her new podcast, The Motherhood Network, this Sunday—on Mother’s Day.
Media personality Nandi Madida is launching her own podcast, The Motherhood Network, on Mother’s Day. Picture: Supplied
Motherhood is a profoundly personal and diverse experience, not a singular journey for all women, nor is a mother’s journey with her kids the same.
Media personality Nandi Madida is a mother to two kids, eight-year-old son Shaka and six-year-old daughter Nefertiti.
She says that her experience with motherhood was different with her two children.
“With my son, everything was new. I was learning on the job… I wouldn’t say I was anxious, but everything was new. But even with my daughter, everything was new because she was so different to my son,” Madida tells The Citizen.
Speaking with the wisdom of a mother with more than two kids, Madida says every child is different.
“I think that sense of autonomy that each kid has is so important, where you deal with them the best way you can for their personality, for who they are. Rather than using one kinda template for both kids because they are really truly different in every way,” she says.
“Each child kind of taught me they’re different, and both journeys have shaped the mother I am today.”
Madida reflected on her journey in motherhood just before launching her podcast, The Motherhood Network, this Sunday, on Mother’s Day.
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A village for mothers
With what seems like every second celebrity launching a podcast these days, being a singer in her own right and being married to one of the industry’s most sought-after music producers and artists, a podcast centred on pop culture seems like the most convenient low-hanging fruit for Madida.
“Mothers need a village. It’s important that we support mothers, but also relate to their stories, so we better empathise with mothers.”
She says becoming a mother opened her eyes to mothers’ needs for empowerment, information, and a sense of community.
She is launching the podcast because she wants to create a safe space for mothers.
“I thought, how about we create a safe, unfiltered platform where mothers can just relate to people’s stories, get educated, have fun, laugh, cry— that was imperative,” Madida shares.
“It is one of the most important roles in society, that and fatherhood,” she says.
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Mother’s Day
The podcast launches on Sunday, Mother’s Day, and Madida doesn’t hide its intention of launching on a day dedicated to mothers.
“It was so meaningful to launch then, as it is a love letter to moms everywhere. It’s a day where the world kind of pauses to acknowledge us, and what better moment to say ‘hey, here’s a platform that’s truly for you’,” Madida shares.
The Motherhood Network will see Madida chat with some of the most influential and inspiring women across industries—business moguls, healthcare experts, creatives, policymakers, and everyday heroines—to discuss what it truly means to raise the next generation in a rapidly changing world.
Madida has already recorded the episodes of the series, and some of the women she’s sat down with include media personality and businesswoman Basetsana Kumalo, one of South Africa’s leading paediatricians, Dr. Nellie Balfour and the Chancellor of Wits University, Dr. Judy Dlamini.
“All of the mothers have, in a way, made me re-look something about motherhood because from all of them I’ve learnt something,” says Madida on the impact The Motherhood Network has had on her, as host.
From building grit in motherhood to getting a different perspective on a health matter concerning a child’s well-being to managing finances as a mom, these are just some of the things Madida has sponged from her renowned guests.
“Every single episode, there’s been kinda something I’ve taken. I’m so grateful, and I hope that’s the same for viewers.”
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It’s for everyone
As much as this is dedicated to mothers, Madida isn’t closing the door to other demographics keen on tuning in. She shares that the crew on The Motherhood Network comprises men, some of whom are fathers or simply in relationships.
“They’ve found this podcast so empowering and interesting. So it’s for everyone…it’s for people who are thinking of being mothers, who don’t necessarily want to be a mother but understand and empathise. The calibre of esteemed guests that we have is not about the mother journey, but it’s their journey in life.”
Whether Madida is using her superpowers as a mother of seeing ahead or this is strategic, she is already speaking about an event for mothers in a year.
“It’s a huge movement. Next year this time on Mother’s Day, we’re hosting a massive event for mothers to celebrate,” adding that this will aid husbands and partners who stress over what gift to buy on Mother’s Day.
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