- Actress Innocentia Manchidi and husband Mpho Manchidi are expecting a baby girl.
- She plays Rendani on Muvhango but is off on maternity leave and will be scarce from the screens.
- The star shared her pregnancy with fans by posting a series of photos from her maternity shoot.
Innocentia Manchidi, known for playing the role of Rendani on the SABC 2 drama series Muvhango, is expecting a baby girl with her husband.
The actress has been playing the princess Rendani, King Azwindini's sister. After sharing the news of her growing family, Innocentia may be scarce from the screens since she has taken maternity leave.
The blissful mom-to-be is excited to share with TRUELOVE this new chapter in her life. She says she and her hubby, Mpho Manchidi, kind of planned this pregnancy.
"So, it was semi-planned, I could say, because we had spoken about starting to try later on in the year."
Despite having her dream come true a little bit earlier, she is still grateful for the experience. "We actually thanking the Lord that He actually did it for us," alluding that her baby girl's name has something to do with "glorifying God."
While the couple is excited for this new chapter in their lives, Innocentia admits she and her hubby are also nervous. "We were nervous because a part of me still feels like I'm a child myself. I remember joking saying we're going to forget this child at the mall," she jokes.
Funny enough, she says she had been looking forward to the morning sickness, cravings and other pregnancy-related side effects ever since she found out that she is expecting.
"Most girls dream of having a girl for a first child, so a part of me was leaning more towards having a girl. But, if it was a boy I would have been okay with it as well."
Innocentia was open to having either a boy or a girl, with first preference being a baby girl. Mpho, on the other hand, hoped and prayed for a baby girl.
Innocentia gives praise to the Word of Mouth pictures and Muvhango team, which have shown love, support, and assistance throughout her pregnancy.
"The support that they give has been amazing. From the day I told them I was expecting, everyone was just so excited."
Even though she was already exhausted when she was about to take her break from the soapie, the Muvhango team had taken good care of her, allowing her to rest in between sets, granting her permission to leave early when she felt fatigued and permitting her to shoot some of her scenes seated.
After playing the character of Rendani for 13 year's, the actress says not having to immediately prepare for work everyday has been an adjustment.
"So, I have been working back-to-back since I was in matric, all my life until now. It's quite weird to wake up and be like 'oh no you don't have to wake up, sleep again'."
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Innocentia was 18 when she was cast as Rendani on Muvhango, a role she says has been incredibly fulfilling.
"It's been amazing, especially because I got to grow with Rendani. When I was in matric, Rendani was in matric, when I started varsity, Rendani started varsity. We literally walked this journey together."
While the thespian has not always related to her character because of how the role has changed over the past few years, she still enjoys every moment of it.
"I always say that my pregnancy was not a secret, just private," she shares, explaining how her loyal fans who asked to take pictures with her when she had not yet announced her pregnancy, respected her wishes and did not circulate images of her being pregnant before she had announced it.
Now the question is, when will we see Rendani back on our screens? "I'm working on pushing out a baby, how's about that?" she chuckles.
Innocentia admits she looks forward to growing in her career and exploring new ventures.
"I will take it one step at a time and I'm looking forward to just a whole lot of growth this year. I do radio and I am looking forward to growing with that as well. I'm looking forward to growing as an actress, I'm looking forward to growing in every avenue of my life. Growth is, I think, the theme of my year."
