She describes herself as a mother first and then a career woman. But if you take that love for children and turn it into a business then you have the best of both worlds.
We catch up with Natasha Jansen van Vuuren who took over the Alberton Branch of Pienkvoet-Pret and hosted her launch in Randhart at the end of 2020.
Pienkvoet-Pret offers stimulation classes for mum and babies (three months to three years), which stimulate the development of children.
Natasha describes it as a fun way for mums and babies and toddlers not only to bond but to also develop the child in the early stages of childhood development. ‘This is where growing up is child’s play and where games are developed with all the goodies you find in your home – no expensive toys and gadgets,’ she said.
How did life lead her to Alberton?
Natasha was born in Pretoria and at the age of three and a half, the family moved to Alberton where she went to primary school at Laerskool Willem Cruywagen and attended Hoërskool Dinamika.
She then went to Potchefstroom to study teaching and taught at Van Dyk Primary, Glenvista High School and Waterstone College.
Then came the opportunity to take over Pienkvoet-Pret and she resigned from teaching. Life could simply not get any better for Natasha.
Strange as it may seem, she met her husband, Garth, at high school. ‘When I was in Grade Eight and Garth in Grade 11, we went out for some time and he told me then that he is going to get married to me one day.
‘I did not think much of it, I mean, we were both still children and needless to say, we broke up. However, we reunited in 2012 and 2014, we were married.’
Today, she is the mother of twins, a boy Bismarck and a girl Qume. ‘They turned three on April 3 and are my pride and joy.’
About motherhood
‘To me, motherhood means putting someone else’s happiness and well-being ahead of your own, to always strive to be better not just for yourself but also for your children. But it also means being tired, needing a coffee break and sometimes just needing to feel pretty. Motherhood can sometimes look and feel less glamorous and that is okay because it is exactly that. The good, the bad and the wonderful and that’s why we are mothers.’
Juggling her schedule with Pienkvoet and motherhood
Natasha said being a mum will always be her number one priority and ‘job’ but being a working mum is what she lives for.
‘I make sure that I do not take my work home. At the moment, I work long hours because it is a new business, but when I get home I spend quality time with the twins and sometimes I even take the activities of Pienkvoet-Pret home for my children to enjoy. I don’t want them to think I only have the energy to play with other children.’
A special spoil on Mother’s Day
‘From experience, I think I can expect coffee in bed, chocolates and spending countless hours playing outside and having a picnic.
‘My ultimate spoil on Mother’s Day must have been in 2019 when the twins just started walking. They both walked up to me with flowers, my heart melted when I saw the proud smiles they had when they gave me their bouquets, it was priceless.
‘My favourite thing about being a mother is when my little ones look up to me and just smile or stare because they know I am their person. The ‘I love you more and most mama’ wins me over every time.’
* Text: CARINA VAN DER WALT. Photo: MARIA MARQUERITE PHOTOGRAPHY.
