Solo and Momming

Nyasha~ Mai Tine❤️

SOLO & MOMMING Where women talk. Mothers laugh. And we ask better questions. Solo & Momming is a space for honest, thoughtful and sometimes uncomfortable conversations about women, motherhood and life. One conversation explores the woman — her identity, relationships, singleness, shame, healing, becoming and everything that happens beyond the role of motherhood. The other explores Momming — the beautiful, chaotic, funny and sometimes exhausting reality of raising children. The things mothers experience, the things children teach us, and the things nobody warned us about. Because whether you are single, married, divorced, widowed or somewhere in between, motherhood is one part of your story — not the whole story. Expect serious conversations. Unexpected questions. A little laughter. A little Shona. And plenty of moments that make you stop and think. This is a space to talk honestly, laugh freely and ask better questions. Amai Simukai.

  1. Oct 24

    Who Taught WOmen To Be Women? | Coversation with Sue Nyathi

    What happens when an educated, accomplished woman discovers that motherhood comes with challenges she was never fully prepared for? And why does society so often expect women to sacrifice their identities, ambitions and dreams at the altar of motherhood? On this episode of ⁠‪Solo and Momming‬⁠ , we sit down with Sue Nyathi, acclaimed author, mother, investment analyst and friend, for an honest and thought-provoking conversation about motherhood, womanhood, identity and the societal expectations that shape women’s lives. Sue Nyathi is the celebrated author of A Family Affair, The Gold Diggers, An Angel’s Demise and The Polygamist, the novel that inspired the Netflix series of the same name. Beyond her literary achievements and professional career, Sue opens up about her personal journey into motherhood, revealing the challenges she faced. Our conversation goes beyond the joys and responsibilities of raising children. We explore how our communities, cultural expectations and social structures can leave women vulnerable to manipulation, control and unequal power dynamics. We question why women are often expected to put themselves last, and why being a mother can sometimes feel like being asked to surrender every other part of who you are. Most importantly, Sue shares her determination not to allow motherhood to become her only identity. Her story reminds us that a woman can love her children deeply and still pursue her dreams, protect her individuality and continue becoming the person she wants to be. This is a conversation about the realities of motherhood, the invisible pressures women carry, the power of self-awareness and the courage it takes to challenge expectations that no longer serve us.

  2. Oct 24

    The Distance Between Us | Coversationw ith Amanda Ndlangisa

    Some conversations stay with you long after they end. 🤎 What happens when you become a mother at 18, but your child is still a newborn and you have to return to school? What does it mean to leave your baby behind, carry the weight of that decision, and continue building a future while navigating the expectations and judgement of society? In this deeply personal episode of ‪Solo and Momming‬ , we sit down with Amanda Ndlangisa, a single mother of two, for an honest conversation about motherhood, teenage pregnancy, separation, survival, shame, and the complicated realities of raising children on your own. Titled “The Distance Between Us,” this conversation explores Amanda's relationship with her daughter, who recently turned 18. Her daughter's milestone birthday brings her face to face with her own past. At 18, Amanda was a young mother herself, trying to navigate school, responsibility, and a future that had suddenly become more complicated. Now, as she watches her daughter enter the same age she was when she became a mother, Amanda reflects on the journey that brought them here, the challenges they have faced, and the experiences that have shaped their relationship. We also explore the realities of single parenting, raising two children alone, dealing with shame and social judgement, and building a loving family without pretending that everything has been perfect. Amanda's story raises an important question: Do we always understand the circumstances behind a mother's decisions before we judge her? Because sometimes, the distance between a mother and her child is not a measure of how much she loves them. It is a reflection of the circumstances she has had to navigate, the choices available to her at the time, and the sacrifices that may never be fully understood.

  3. Oct 21

    You are pregnant, now what?

    Sometimes life does not give you time to figure everything out. One day, you are part of a family. The next, you are navigating motherhood on your own, trying to figure out how to pay the bills, raise your children, rebuild your confidence and somehow keep going. In this episode of ‪ Solo and Momming‬ , we talk about what it really takes to get back on your feet as a single mother. Maybe it means selling tomatoes by the roadside. Maybe it means going back to school. Maybe it means starting a small business, learning a new skill, finding a job or simply taking the first step towards becoming financially independent. Whatever it looks like, the important thing is to start. Because motherhood does not pause while you are trying to get your ducks in a row. The children still need you. The bills still need to be paid. Life keeps moving. This conversation is not about pretending that becoming a single mother is easy. It is about acknowledging the reality, gathering your strength and asking yourself: What can I do from where I am, with what I have, to move forward? If you are a single mother, have been through single parenting, or know a woman who is rebuilding her life after becoming a single mom, this conversation is for you. 💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATION What did you do when you realised you had to stand on your own? Did you start a business? Go back to school? Find a job? Sell something? Learn a new skill? Or did someone simply give you the encouragement you needed to keep going?

  4. Oct 21

    Hear it from me, i was 19 when i became pregnant.

    I became a mother at 19. And honestly, I wasn’t ready for what came next. Becoming a young mother changed the direction of my life in ways I could never have understood at 19. While other young people were figuring themselves out, I was learning how to raise a child, pursue a university education, and somehow find my own identity in the middle of it all. In this episode of ‪@SoloandMomming‬ , I’m having the conversation I wish someone had with me back then. This isn’t a story about regret, shame or romanticising young motherhood. It’s about the reality of becoming a mother before you have had the opportunity to fully discover yourself, build your independence and experience life on your own terms. We talk about teen motherhood, young motherhood, education, personal freedom, life choices, identity, sacrifice and the pressure to grow up before you are ready. If you are a young woman trying to figure out your future, a young mother navigating motherhood and education, or someone who became a mother earlier than expected, this conversation may speak directly to you. And if you’re a young woman who still has choices ahead of you, I hope this conversation helps you think about your future differently. IN THIS EPISODE: 02:40 | Balancing motherhood and university education 07:15 | How becoming a mother can change your life timeline 09:49 | Learning to prioritise your own growth 10:30 | Protecting your body, your time and your freedom LET'S TALK If you became a mother young, what is something you wish someone had told you at 19? And if you are a young woman who hasn’t experienced motherhood yet, what are you currently doing to protect the future you want? Tell us in the comments. Your story might be exactly what another woman needs to hear. Subscribe to ‪Solo and Momming‬ for honest conversations about motherhood, identity, healing, relationships, growth and the realities women often navigate quietly.

About

SOLO & MOMMING Where women talk. Mothers laugh. And we ask better questions. Solo & Momming is a space for honest, thoughtful and sometimes uncomfortable conversations about women, motherhood and life. One conversation explores the woman — her identity, relationships, singleness, shame, healing, becoming and everything that happens beyond the role of motherhood. The other explores Momming — the beautiful, chaotic, funny and sometimes exhausting reality of raising children. The things mothers experience, the things children teach us, and the things nobody warned us about. Because whether you are single, married, divorced, widowed or somewhere in between, motherhood is one part of your story — not the whole story. Expect serious conversations. Unexpected questions. A little laughter. A little Shona. And plenty of moments that make you stop and think. This is a space to talk honestly, laugh freely and ask better questions. Amai Simukai.