We’ve watched her glow up and her baby bump grow – and like us, she can’t wait to meet her baby any day now.
Skeem Saam actress Pebetsi Nolo Matlaila (34) is known to keep details of her personal life private. Like when she got married to director, Lloyd Mbatha in November 2020, it was a complete surprise to even her followers.
But the baby bump would not let her keep to her private ways this time around. Plus, she is on TV every weekday on one of SABC 1 biggest shows.
“When the baby bump or weight gain started showing on-screen, I decided to make a public announcement. I wanted to tell my story before someone else decided to,” she tells Drum.
She shared a video of her bump on social media and from then on hardly ever made mention of it.
WATCH | Skeem Saam's Pebetsi Nolo Matlaila is expecting her second child
Now, she opens up to Drum about how much she is enjoying her pregnancy.
“I am blessed with good health during my pregnancies. No morning sickness, no facial breakout, dark-skin or growing nose, not even stretch marks,” she tells us.
Her first pregnancy with daughter Naledi years ago was a little different in that her cravings didn’t come cheap.
“My cravings were boujee,” she says.
Pebetsi hardly ever ate traditional food and this was strange because she loves it when not pregnant.
“I could not stand the smell and sight of red meat. I always wanted to eat fish, not just any fish but salmon with roasted or steamed veggies. For snacks, I loved edamame beans, almonds, and blueberries,” Pebetsi explains. “That’s a pricey palate.”
This pregnancy is an answered prayer for her.
She knew that by 35, she wanted a second-born so this pregnancy was not a surprise at all.
When Pebetsi suspected that she might be pregnant, there was excitement brewing in her.
“When the first two home pregnancy tests came out negative, even though my body was speaking a different language, I was so sad. But I later realised it was probably too early to test anyway. So, when I finally did blood tests and they came back with a pregnancy positive, I was over the moon,” she says.
While she looks forward to being a mother again, she says she generally gets anxious when she starts asking herself if she will be a good mother or not and if she would be the nurturer she needs to be.
The soon-to-be mother of two says being a mother is a solid reason to never give up in life.
“Some little human you gave birth to is counting on you for a sense of stability, responsibility and accountability, you cannot give up,” she tells us.
That is why she says she guards this role with her heart.
Pebetsi has always wanted a big family, four children to be exact. But it turns out she has changed her mind.
“The economy does not allow for such desires to be met. Besides, I am a working mother. I wouldn't want to put a stop on my career dreams just to raise a family. I need my children to see Mama doing well there.” she adds.
