Online Reporter
Maria Chiguvari
IT is after 7pm when her phone rings.
She stands eerily under the bright studio lights, still in costume from her latest film role, when a message from her househelp freezes her: “Your son has not come back home.”
Sipilisiwe Kaikeni’s youngest boy had never missed his 4pm “curfew”.
For three agonising hours of making frantic calls to teachers, neighbours and the police, Kaikeni grapples with a haunting truth — questioning how she can be in two places at once.
The world demands she excels both as a parent and a professional.
This is the relentless tightrope walk faced by Kaikeni, an actress whose résumé includes dramas, theatre and movies.
The artiste recently featured in the “Mukadota Reloaded” drama series as Mai Rwizi, wife of Baba Rwizi, played by Admire “Bhutisi” Kuzhangaira.
The other productions in which she featured include local dramas such as “Mafuro Manyoro”, “Nzungu Muriva”, “Fragments”, “Chipo The Gift”, “Maimbodei” “Mari Yakanaka”, “Mirage”, “Family Secrets” and “Hukama”.
For radio, she has voiced Tamari in “Everyone’s Child”, featured in “Mopani Junction” and performed in numerous commercials for established companies.
But her most demanding role is one she never auditioned for, being a single mother of two boys.
In an industry where time is currency and absences are penalised, Kaikeni’s life is a mosaic of trade-offs — script readings swapped for parent-teacher meetings, and red carpets traded for bedtime stories.
The daunting task of being a professional and a mother is a scary experience for many, as it stretches one beyond the limits of what the human body and mind can endure.
Kaikeni is mandated to balance her work and her role as a mother at home. As her children were growing, she was forced to spend time away working, leaving them in the care of others.
“I once received a call from home saying one of my sons had not returned home and that is the worst call a mother can receive in her life. At that time, I was away shooting a series,” said Kaikeni.
It later emerged that the little boy had “extended” his playtime, knowing his mother was away.
“I always try by all means to make everything work when I am home. I forget about my career and focus on my family. When I am at work, I become a changed person, another character,” she said, acknowledging the challenges faced.
She also reflects on her experience during her father’s funeral.
“I remember in 2002 when my father passed away and I was called to record a radio advertisement with the Media for Development Trust. I left the funeral for the recording, though I was heartbroken because I loved my father so dearly,” she said.
Balancing
Many women find it difficult to balance divorce, a career and motherhood.
This was initially the case with urban grooves singer Pauline Gundidza when she separated from Rockford “Roki” Josphats.
Gundidza reportedly developed alcohol issues, which threatened to derail her career and negatively affect her children’s lives.
However, through professional counselling and assistance from friends and family, she overcame these challenges.
She now considers herself a skilled multi-tasker when it comes to parenting and her career, instilling the same work ethic in her daughters, whom she shares with Roki.
“I set my priorities straight and had to say goodbye to a dangerous lifestyle and bad influences. I received counselling from professionals who helped me cope with my past and regain my confidence,” revealed Gundidza.
“My children grew up around my profession, so, luckily, I think they understand its demands and pressures. They allow me a lot of space to be who I need to be and do what I need to do.”
She believes effective time management is key.
“You just need to know when to focus fully on family and when to do the same with work,” she said.
“At an emotional level, motherhood gave me a general awareness of the world around me, from my children’s perspectives.”
Gundidza is one of the founding members of the now-disbanded group Mafriq, renowned for several hit songs, including “Ndomuudza Sei”.
Other members of the ensemble were Lovedale “Discord” Makalanga and Tungamirai “Tunga T”.
Inspiration/Support
Eunice Tava, a veteran actress, acknowledges how her children have been an inspirational part of her career.
“For me, it is about priorities. The man I married supported me, but limited my travelling; everything had to be restricted. There are times when I get an opportunity but I end up weighing the benefit compared to my family,” said Tava.
“I have a few regrets; things have been flowing and I am one of those who can say the arts industry kept me going.
“The day I decided to no longer work for exposure, things started working for me. Initially, my family did not support me, but with time, they saw a rewarding paycheque and the situation improved.”
Tava started her acting career in 2000.
She made her debut appearance on stage at Rooftop Promotions’ Theatre in the Park as a character in the play “Ganyau Express” under the tutelage of gurus Daves Guzha and the late Walter Muparutsa.
She has also played the lead role of Mbuya Nehanda in the film “The Story of Nehanda”.
Acknowledge
Some might say balancing motherhood and careers is tricky under any circumstance, but working moms in the arts industry — whether they are creatives or executives — have to balance a particularly delicate set of challenges.
These include unpredictable schedules, physical appearance expectations and navigating a male-dominated field.
Connie Mazani, who manages Feli Nandi and has two children, reckons motherhood is a fundamental right.
However, she feels the trick to managing it all is to accept that it is going to be hard, no matter what.
“Motherhood is the gift that balances me out. I cannot imagine doing life without my kids, so it all works out. They are my motivation and also the reason I look forward to going back home. I would love to spend all my time and days with my babies, but my job requires a lot of travelling and a lot of time away from them,” she said.
