EDUCATED HOUSEWIVES OF JOZI

There seems to have been a shift in perception in the whole idea of being a housewife in the 21st Century. It seems to be about displaying a lifestyle of affluence, glitz and glamour.

The housewives of today are about doing breakfast at Tasha’s, having a yoga appointment at the gym, meeting other mothers for brunches and high teas and going on holidays with the nanny.

In the past, the idea was more about being barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen without an education. Today, women opt for the degree and baring the fruits of their motherhood. It becomes acceptable when it is a choice, they say. I spoke to two ladies, Mbali Richards and Lerato Khumalo, who both have university degrees, BA in Journalism and BA in Public Relations, respectively.

The women speak to me to express their decisions around being housewives and educated in a world that presents enormous opportunities for young black women such as them.

“It is not about being unable to tap into the opportunities around us, it is mainly for my children and making sure that i don’t miss a rugby game or a netball match” says Lerato, as she flips her expensive brazilian weave away from her Tom Ford shades. Mbali nods her head as she creams her well-manicured nails and reiterates “it’s really about being a full time mother than being a part time mother and full time career woman.” The two agree that the lifestyle comes with an enormous amount of pressure that people don’t really understand. “It’s really not as glitz or glam as people make it out be” says Mbali, “In the same breath, one also appreciates the perks that come with the lifestyle”

The ladies have no intention of being career women in the future but have aspirations of running a business together. They are looking to start a body and mind boutique where career mothers can go and have some me time and have the “perks” of being a full time mom too.

The women have husbands that understand their choice of lifestyle and have been supportive of their aspirations.

“If it were not for the loving and supportive husband I have, my children would not know the mommy that I am today because I would not be giving them the undivided attention I am giving them.” Lerato says.

Mbali also states that they are truly blessed to be educated and having had the opportunity of being fulltime mothers with supportive husbands.