The Mommy Club: Sugar & Spice, which features nine affluent mothers from Durban’s Indian community, is now streaming on Showmax.
To commemorate the first episode and Women’s Month, we caught up with the ladies:
What does Women’s Day mean to you?
Devina Kowlas: To me, Women’s Day is a day to celebrate and recognise the achievements of women that stem from their innate strength and perseverance to make this world a better place.
Asharia Parsad: Women are leaders wherever you look, from the CEO who runs a Fortune 500 company to the housewife, who heads her household and raises her children. Our country was built by strong women and we will continue to break down walls and defy stereotypes.
Resh Naidoo: Women's Day for me is all about celebrating the power and progress of women, reflecting on my impact on my fellow sisters and inspiring others to keep pushing to be the best version of themselves.
How has your heritage shaped you as a woman?
Abigail Nepaul: My heritage strongly influences me as a woman. I believe I am the empowered woman I am because of the sacrifices, toil, strength and wisdom of my ancestors. I've learned to be resilient, persistent and confident by watching females in my family and community that I admire. My sense of style, the manner in which I parent and run my home are all inspired by strong female role models in our community.
Christina Devraj: My heritage influences me as a woman because my culture and tradition have shaped my thoughts and my values. My grandmother on my father's side is of Tamil heritage and my grandmother on my mother's side is of Hindi heritage. Both my parents are Christian and named me Christina as the firstborn Christian in a very big Hindu family.
Losh Naidoo: My Indian and South African heritage is a vibrant tapestry woven with rich colours and traditions. It allows me to blend tradition with modernity, through unique fashion choices and spicy culinary skills as well as resilience and fierce determination. My heritage has made me a strong, dynamic and independent woman.
Resh Naidoo: My Indian heritage gives me a strong sense of culture and tradition, which enriches my identity as a South African woman and shapes how I live my life.
How would you describe yourself as a mom?
Christina Devraj: I am a wife and a mother who is very doting and loving; I centre my life on the happiness of my daughter, all while keeping an open mind and a warrior spirit.
Losh Naidoo: They say with age comes wisdom, but for me, it comes with a whole new level of chill. Gone are the days of me being a Type A mom; I am now rocking a more laid-back, easy-going approach to parenting that keeps me cool as a cucumber.
Neetasha Singh Bugwandin: As I embrace my personal journey into stepmotherhood, it was interesting to learn from the other moms’ experiences and advice. Being a young stepmother for just over a year, I can’t say that I have mastered this skill as yet. It is a learning process and I welcome it with love and gratitude. Being a stepmother requires patience, understanding, and effective communication. Becoming a successful stepmother takes time, effort, and understanding.
Why should South Africa watch The Mommy Club: Sugar & Spice?
Lenore Goss-Matjie: People should watch The Mommy Club: Sugar & Spice because it showcases the daily challenges and triumphs of influential moms. People will get to experience our day-to-day lives with our children. I share my everyday intimate moments that illustrate how I try to balance business responsibilities, managing a chronic health condition, and nurturing my children and maintaining a harmonious family life … Trust me, it is not scripted. For me, the only difference between my real life and filming was the presence of cameras and a specific lighting setup. Everything else felt exactly the same.
Devina Kowlas: We are South African Durban moms. The stories and experiences we share surpass race, religion and any other difference - it's all about being a mom, our ups and downs, and how we find the strength to keep going.
Kim Jones: It’s a chance to see the genuine, relatable aspects of being a momma bear with South African Indian roots, all while enjoying a good dose of Durban glam. If you’re looking for an authentic and entertaining look at the highs and lows of the fancy modern South African Indian family life, this show is for you.