In a candid and deeply personal discussion on Nandi Madida’s popular podcast, The Motherhood Network, the acclaimed musician and poet Sho Madjozi has set the nation abuzz with her powerful reframing of modern family structures. Moving beyond conventional narratives, the artist laid bare her conscious decision to embrace motherhood entirely on her own terms, a choice she is defining with clarity and purpose.
At the heart of the conversation was Madjozi’s introduction of the term “choice mom,” a label she uses to distinctly separate her experience from that of a single mother. She articulated that her journey was born from a place of empowerment and deliberate planning, rather than the aftermath of a dissolved relationship. The artist explained that her focus was squarely on the child from the very beginning.
“I chose a child,” Madjozi stated unequivocally. “I did not choose a man. I am in a very privileged position where I can make that decision for myself and build a family in the way that I see fit.”
She further elaborated on the emotional distinction, noting that her path lacks the difficult baggage that can sometimes accompany other situations.
“My experience does not come with the grief or the need for repair that you often find when a relationship with a child’s father has ended,” she shared. “This was a clean slate, a joyful decision from the start.”
Sho Madjozi On Why She Chose To Have A Child Without A Partner
When discussing her motivations, Madjozi revealed that her primary driver was to create the stable and emotionally secure environment for her daughter that she herself felt was missing during her own upbringing. This vision of family, however, is far from a solitary one. The artist was keen to emphasise that she is not raising her child in isolation, but is instead drawing on the strength of a powerful support network.
“People must understand, I am not doing this alone. I am simply parenting differently,” Madjozi said. “My child is being raised in a village of women. It is a community, and she is surrounded by so much love and care.”
Concluding her powerful testimony, Madjozi directed a message to women across South Africa who may be grappling with societal pressures around partnership and parenthood. She acknowledged the common struggle of finding a compatible partner but urged women to realise that their ability to become a mother is not intrinsically tied to this quest.
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She offered an empowering reminder of their autonomy, saying, “It is important for women to know that you do not need to find a man to have a child. You have the option. You have the freedom to think about your life and build your family in the way that works for you.”