South Africans are sharing the most heartwarming stories of their ‘other’ mothers in an unprompted, self-initiated campaign this Mother’s Day.
After sharing two incredible stories about South African’s remembering and honouring their ‘other’ mothers, Good Things Guy readers have started sharing their own heartwarming stories celebrating their own upbringing with their ‘other’ moms.
Read some of the best “short-stories” celebrating these incredible moms below:
Lee Brammall wrote: “Beautifully written. Mine was Gogo Grace, one of the most beautiful, special, kind, caring women I have ever met in my life. She stayed with us under less than pleasant circumstances when my mother died at 29. Out of loyalty to my mom and my 3 baby brothers she vowed she would only leave when the baby left school and that’s what she did. I still ache for her…She died a few years ago. I so wish I’d had the millions to build her a beautiful home and serve her back until the end of her days. She knew how loved she was and would cry when she heard our voices near the end. Yes indeed, I agree with every word you said. Thank you x”
Holly Van Wyk commented: “Our most precious Maria.
😍 raised both myself and my brother , taught us both to speak fluent Sepedi and took us under her wing like we were her own , also at the cost of living away from her children . She still works for my family, and is currently helping my mom look after my elderly grandmother. She is kind and gentle yet fierce, she taught us to respect people, especially our elders, but also how to laugh at the silliest things. She has been a constant light in my life, she has guided me and encouraged me when my life was “hard”, she has been and will always be my other mum
💕 re a go rata mama”
Tracey Stanton added: “I had my Aletta Ndlovu who I loved with all my heart. She used to put me on her back while she did the house work, well into my toddler years. When I started primary school she walked me there and one day I decided i had enough and left the school and came home and she smacked me all the way back to school lol…i loved her because she was my other Mom. She named her only daughter after me. Sadly She was killed by a boyfriend when I was about 7. It was an incredible loss for me. She will always be an integral part of my childhood
❤”
Tanya Penwarden posted: “I had the same experience … I guess it was when hearts were still open… the lady that raised me was also treated like family and brought her own children to work. We as kids learned together , ate together , bathed together and yes got wacks together for our sins , from whichever mom was on duty.”
Johanna Stadler said: “Agnes was my second mother to me and my children. She looked after them and me and did not mince her words if we did wrong. After she retired she came to visit us for Christmas and Easter and sometimes in between. I was able to help her build a proper house for herself. We lost her last yr. Miss her every day.”
Charlotte Steenberg posted: “My Mother died when I was 12. My Anna was there for me emotionally and physically. She has also passed on a couple of years ago. I will always love and cherish her in my heart.
😪
Anya Odendaal wrote: “My nanny was called Eunice.. she loved me like a daughter.. looked after my grandpa when he was very sick.. and when I had babies.. Eunice came all the way to me to look after them and love them.. she retired when my eldest was 15 and we all cried like babies. She has loved us as if we were her own. I trusted her with my children’s lives and I know she would have defended them with her life. I love Eunice. To me she was and is a family member.”
Gretna Du Toit commented: “this is so true…i loved loved my other mother – called Maria – she was always there …and my eyes opened for the first time about what was going on in our country at age 16 when my second mother was not allowed to attend my grandmothers funeral in the NG kerk – as she was black!!!! Needles to say …no church for me anymore …i remember feeling a profound sadness mixed with a shitload of anger – imagine what she was feeling. this was in 1982.”
Do you have a wonderful memory of your ‘other mother’? Honour her in the comments below…
by 
To our Witty Masuku. She raised my younger brother and I since we were babies and my baby when she was small. She took care of us, fed us and loved us for more than 30 years. Our other mother taught us some isiZulu, to pick marog in the veld and so much more. On pension now after my parents had passed, we talk every month and I still contribute financially to my other mother in her old age. Always end our conversation with ‘love you Sissi’
All these posts inspired me to write a note of extreme gratitude to our Catherine. She has been with me since i was 24, taking care of me and now my own family – almost 30 years later. My children have had the privilege of being looked after by her and we all adore her. She laughed when I showed her my message of love and gratitude and said she is not going anywhere – not time for an obituary yet. Ah sisi Catherine, your sense of humor is priceless, we are honoured that you are one of our family!