SHINING A LIGHT ON AUTISM
YOU South Africa|23 March 2023
As a devoted mom of two sons who have the disorder, The Real Housewives of Gqeberha's Ashleigh is eager to share her story
NOKUTHULA ZWANE-EJIKE
SHINING A LIGHT ON AUTISM

SHE thought long and hard about appearing on the show because it would mean being away from her children for hours on end. But ultimately her kids are the very reason she decided to go for it.

Being on The Real Housewives of Gqeberha (RHOGQ) gave Ashleigh Mather a chance to shine a light on raising children with autism and to talk about her experiences and challenges. 

But filming the show was a challenge in itself, she tells YOU. “Things were a little chaotic and routines went out the window. Obviously, the kids would get upset on certain days. 

“But [now that filming is over] it’s nice to just get back to my normal routines and enjoy my free time with them again.” 

Ashleigh appears on the show with a pack of formidable women. There’s Buli G Ngomane, her bestie and a former Idols SA contestant, events planner Norma Nicol, salon owner Unathi Faku and construction boss Liz Prins. 

What sets the 32-year-old apart from her castmates is that she’s a stay-at-home mom and devotes her time to eight-yearold Aryan William and four-year-old Phoenix Charles-Duncan.  

“I had a lot of mom guilt because I’d have to wake up super early or come back home late while the show was being filmed,” she says. “I’d never left my kids before. It was hard because kids with autism thrive off routine and theirs was thrown off a lot. I felt bad.” 

Ashleigh also had quite a tough time on the show. She was introduced as a bubbly, free-spirited young mom, but it wasn’t long before the claws came out. In the first few episodes her castmates criticised her for being too carefree, drinking like a fish and being childish.  

Denne historien er fra 23 March 2023-utgaven av YOU South Africa.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra 23 March 2023-utgaven av YOU South Africa.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA YOU SOUTH AFRICASe alt
PUSHED TO THE LIMIT
YOU South Africa

PUSHED TO THE LIMIT

The unusual relationship between an heiress and her husband has taken a sinister twist

time-read
5 mins  |
5 September 2024
HOW TO MAKE A SUPERBABY
YOU South Africa

HOW TO MAKE A SUPERBABY

Noor Siddiqui says her company can test embryos for hundreds of conditions from diabetes to Alzheimer's. Critics call it social engineering but she insists she's just giving prospective parents the means to avoid a lot of future heartache

time-read
10+ mins  |
5 September 2024
THE GROWN-UP BRAIN
YOU South Africa

THE GROWN-UP BRAIN

If you think your brain deteriorates as you age, think again!

time-read
3 mins  |
5 September 2024
THE eyes HAVE IT
YOU South Africa

THE eyes HAVE IT

They're the windows to our soul - and the first place to show the stresses of everyday life. Juliette Winter reveals expert tips to de-puff, brighten and smooth this delicate area

time-read
1 min  |
5 September 2024
WE'RE IN THIS TOGETHER
YOU South Africa

WE'RE IN THIS TOGETHER

It hasn't been an easy road but now this bodybuilding couple are making waves in the industry

time-read
4 mins  |
5 September 2024
I CAN'T WAIT FOR SUMMER!
YOU South Africa

I CAN'T WAIT FOR SUMMER!

Annetjie's about to get effective treatment for the skin condition that has blighted her life and she's looking forward to hitting the shops and facing the world

time-read
5 mins  |
5 September 2024
'SHE NO THREAT TO ANYONE'
YOU South Africa

'SHE NO THREAT TO ANYONE'

When SA boxer Chris van Heerden's Russian girlfriend went to visit her parents she was thrown in jail and accused of treasonnow he's in a fight to free her

time-read
5 mins  |
5 September 2024
SUNK IN 16 MINUTES!
YOU South Africa

SUNK IN 16 MINUTES!

A sun-drenched holiday turned into a living nightmare for those aboard this luxury vessel

time-read
5 mins  |
5 September 2024
READY TO SMILE AGAIN
YOU South Africa

READY TO SMILE AGAIN

A groundbreaking surgical procedure will restore this Limpopo teen's badly damaged jaw and teeth

time-read
5 mins  |
5 September 2024
HARRY AT A CROSSROADS
YOU South Africa

HARRY AT A CROSSROADS

As the prince turns 40, royal experts paint a picture of a troubled soul- isolated, homesick and struggling to find a purpose in life

time-read
8 mins  |
5 September 2024