The tale of a same-sex couple who managed to find a surrogate, and how they defied the odds to father South Africa’s first triplets born with both their DNA.
It’s a unique story of serendipity, of life born out of a famous South African court case. As Theo and Christo Menelaou usher us into their luxurious home in South Africa’s capital city Pretoria, there are smiles galore, and soul-fulfilling warmth.
This is a long way from where it all began, on February 14, 2013; that fateful day etched in South Africa’s sporting history, the day blade-runner Oscar Pistorius killed his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.
Unbeknown to the Menelaous, this tragic incident and the ensuing court cases that would somehow involve them, would lead to a happy personal outcome.
“We stayed in the same [residential] estate with Oscar, which is where he shot Reeva, and I was a state witness in the trial,” says Christo.
The Menelaous had long yearned to have children. It was during this time that Christo met a neighbor, also a state witness at the Oscar trial, who suggested they try the surrogacy route.
Two weeks later, Theo received an odd message from a stranger referred to them by the concerned neighbor, who offered to surrogate for them.
Weeks later they met Jackie, the prospective surrogate. Christo says a bond was formed instantly and they embarked on the journey to have a baby.
With a good lawyer and a payment of R25,000 ($1,860), the pair received the green light.
Denne historien er fra April-May 2017-utgaven av Forbes Woman Africa.
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Denne historien er fra April-May 2017-utgaven av Forbes Woman Africa.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Well-Grounded
Coco Cachalia, whose mother Amina was among the 20,000 in the Women’s March of August 1956, made a decision to stay away from politics – and succeed in business instead.
Art Becomes Her
A celebrated international fine artist, Mmakgabo Helen Sebidi overcame the struggles of apartheid, and her work is grounded in her past.
'Not Just Pro-Women But Pro-Progress'
South Africa’s Minister of Women Susan Shabangu on the significance of the 61st anniversary of Women’s Day, and the role men can play in ending gender violence in South Africa and creating an equal society.
Diversity And Inclusion Are Part Of Baker Mckenzie's DNA
According to Law360’s 2017 Glass Ceiling Report, women make up around one-third of the attorneys in private legal practice. Among the law firms surveyed, just below 23% of partners are female.
We, Men For Women
South Africa still has a long way to go for gender justice in business and in life, but with more men openly stepping forward to be a part of the discourse, FORBES WOMAN AFRICA speaks to two male entrepreneurs, a CEO and a social activist. They acknowledge diversity makes smart social and economic sense that will benefit all.
What, After All, Does Feminism Have To Do With Men?
According to the seminal African-American writer bell hooks (her name is not capitalized), feminism is for everybody.
Blood, Setbacks And Tears
Two sisters with common failures and a dream to eventually succeed.
Fighting To The End
In May, 82 more Chibok girls were released in exchange for Boko Haram prisoners. Oby Ezekwesili, a strong advocate in the campaign to bring them back, has vowed to never stop fighting.
Not Just Hard Work, But Heart Work
As incidents of gender-based violence increase in Africa, those like Nigeria’s Kemi Dasilva-Ibru, are trying to bring relief to stigmatized victims.
Going Down The Spice Route
Essie Bartels worked several odd jobs she hated before opening a company selling mouth-watering spices and sentiments to the world.
