HER list of titles is about as long as her arm: Princess of Africa, multi-award-winning musician, talented actress and dedicated humanitarian. But before anything else, singer and songwriter Yvonne Chaka Chaka (55) is a wife and proud mom.
Being a mother to her four sons, Ningi (39), Themba (36), Mfumu (30) and Mandla (27), is her most important role, even though they’re no longer her “little boys”.
“They live on their own and it’s just me and Tiny,” Yvonne says.
She is, of course, referring to Dr Mandlalele Mhinga, her 66-year-old husband. The couple have been happily married for over three decades.
“Family is a blessing and we want to add many more years and see our children grow old,” she says.
Her kids are grown men with their own lives but to Yvonne they’ll always be her little boys. She misses the good old days when they were younger and couldn’t do anything without consulting their mom.
“I miss cooking for them and having family dinners. We always used to eat dinner together when they were younger. When they became teenagers, they started going out with friends and partying, they would go out and find their food warm in the oven,” she says.
Now they’re big boys with bills to pay and their own lives to live.
“I kind of enjoy the peace. My husband and I fighting over the remote control, and we have our space to ourselves.”
Tiny prefers watching sports, particularly golf, while Yvonne prefers talk shows and catching up with current affairs.
Before the country went into a national lockdown to slow the spread of the deadly coronavirus, the couple spent some time with their children when they celebrated Mfumu’s 30th birthday at trendy Mesh Club in Johannesburg.
Denne historien er fra 7 May 2020-utgaven av Drum English.
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Denne historien er fra 7 May 2020-utgaven av Drum English.
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
Homegrown Heroes
Drum speaks to two volunteers in the Covid-19 vaccine trial and the professor heading the team in Africa
The Big Clean Up
Whenever a Covid-19 case is confirmed at a shop, they call in the deep-cleaners. We find out exactly how they disinfect stores and supermarkets
I'm Back & Better!
Babes Wodumo shares what she’s been up to in lockdown – and there’s some new music on the horizon
Not An Easy Ride
Taxi commuters and industry players tell DRUM what’s driving them to defy lockdown rules
Mam' Mary Bows Out
Iconic actress Mary Twala is fondly remembered by friends and family for her humour and talent
‘They Lived For Each Other'
This Cape Town teen’s parents died from Covid-19 on the same day. Now she’s alone and battling the virus too
Stranger Than Fiction
For actor Mangaliso Ngema and his daughter Khosi Ngema, her role in Blood & Water was like watching their family’s real-life story unfold
I Was Raped By A Pastor
His accusations against a well-known man of the cloth turned an Eastern Cape man’s life into turmoil but now more victims have spoken out
My Fight With Life And Death
More Covid-19 patients, too few beds and staff, constant sanitising and personal fears – a Western Cape doctor shares her experience
I AM ENOUGH
Ten years after being set alight, Thembi Maphanga is living life to the fullest
