Our Little Indulgences

Four well-known women tell Stephanie van der Plank what brings comfort to their lives, from watching old movies to enjoying an indulgent bubble bath…

Actress SOPHIE NDABA, 43, lives in Joburg West with her son Lwandle, 18. She also has two grown-up daughters from a previous relationship, and has been dating her partner for over a year.

A good seafood curry is my ultimate comfort food. It’s warm and spicy, and because I use herbs I’ve grown in my own garden, it’s so fresh. On a Sunday, my son and I enjoy cosying up under a blanket on the couch, with a movie on in the background, and two bowls of my signature curry. It really is the best way to spend a lazy winter’s afternoon.

We all love to put our feet up and watch TV once in a while, don’t we?

 I don’t really get time to do that during the week, so over the weekend I catch up on episodes of my favourite series like Suits and The Fixer. When I was younger, I wanted to be a lawyer, so I’m drawn to those kinds of TV dramas.

I just imagine myself in a skirt suit and stilettos, talking my way out of trouble!  

If I need to unwind, my go-to fix is a long, drawn-out bubble bath. I set the scene with dozens of scented candles, soothing music from my iPad and, of course, a glass of wine. I revel in the process, and find it puts me in the right frame of mind for contemplation – about my career, relationships and if my kids are happy. Sometimes, I’m in the bath for so long that my partner comes to check on me to make sure I haven’t drowned!