Hapiness Is Homemade

Actress, producer and businesswoman SONIA MBELE, 40, opens her house to the TRUE LOVE team and reflects on finding God, happiness and embracing life as a single woman.

- Phila Tyekana

In the heart of one of Joburg’s leafy suburbs is a house that’s “a sanctuary; a place of solace and love. It’s homely and comfortable,” says its owner – actress, producer and businesswoman Sonia Mbele. “I walked in here two years ago and had to start my life from scratch. Before that I lived in a rented apartment. But this is a house that I can wholeheartedly call my own. I’m proud that I have a home where my kids are happy. This is what we call home,” says Sonia. “I fell in love with it as soon as I walked in, and so did my kids. I knew I had to have it.”

The actress has gone back to using her maiden surname, Mbele, six years after divorcing. “These days I conduct my business as Mbele. When viewers first met me back in 1998, they knew me as Sonia Mbele. So I want to reintroduce them to the young woman they fell in love with. I’m still Sedibe, though: my children use that surname and belong to it. Plus, I made it famous!”

The TRUE LOVE team is lucky to experience Sonia’s sanctuary for an entire day of our cover shoot. A majestic front door serves as the entrance to the house and although the place is open and airy, we are struck by it’s homely feel. Large yet comfy couches fill the open space, and photos of the producer and her children are all over. The lounge area leads to a patio, which overlooks the pool and garden. Sonia has prepared breakfast for the crew, so an aroma fills the whole house. It’s a warm winter’s day in Jozi and we take advantage of that as we tour the house, looking for the perfect nooks to capture its elegance and the beauty of the owner.