Born and raised in the Lowveld, Carli always dreamed of being a vet or a dancer, but as is so often the case, life had other plans. “After I finished school, all I really knew for sure was that I wanted to study straight away and not do a gap year. I couldn’t afford to go to Stellenbosch, which had always been my dream, so I decided to study my BCompt degree through Unisa, completing my SAICA articles at a local audit firm,” she explains. “It’s ironic really, because I had once sworn that I would never go into finance or IT, the two fields deeply embedded in my family’s roots. Yet here I am, thriving in the financial sector while married to an IT professional!”
As a financial manager for a motor dealer group, Carli’s days are filled with numbers, deadlines and problem-solving. But beyond the spreadsheets, her favourite, and most important role begins after work, that of mother and wife. “My daily life is a mix of responsibilities, challenges and meaningful moments,” she says. “It’s not always easy, but it is incredibly rewarding. My job keeps me on my toes, dealing with everything from financial reports to strategic planning. But when I step through the front door, the world shifts,” she smiles.
“Once I’m home, I switch into family mode. Whether it’s helping with dinner, spending time with my daughter, or just unwinding, that balance is so important.”
Married to her high school sweetheart Bennie for five years (together for twelve!), Carli cherishes her family, two of whom happen to have four legs. But the newest and most precious addition to their home came through an unexpected phone call. Having always been moved by stories of children in need, she and her husband initially considered fostering a little boy but later found out he had found a loving home. They thought their fostering journey had come to an end, and then they received a call about a baby girl in need of a family.
With only one month to prepare, the couple scrambled to gather everything a new-born would need. The moment they held baby Jordyn in their arms, their hearts were forever changed. “She is the biggest gift we have ever received from God. It just goes to show, DNA doesn’t define a family, love does.” Now, they are in the early stages of adoption, embracing every moment of this life-changing journey. “Every day, I am reminded how lucky we are. She has brought so much joy into our lives,” smiles the bubbly redhead happily.
Balancing work, family and personal passions isn’t always easy. “Sometimes it feels like I’m dropping the ball, but I’ve learnt that some balls bounce back,” she laughs, “after all, life is a juggling act, and it’s OK if some things momentarily slip.” To manage everything, Carli compartmentalises her roles. Work time is for work, family time is sacred, and sometimes, a nap is the best use of an afternoon! She also emphasises the importance of prioritisation.
“I try to keep my juggling balls to a manageable amount and leave the others at the door when needed. It’s about knowing when to focus on what matters most,” she says.
At the moment that includes preparing herself for the Mrs South Africa pageant, something she decided to participate in on a whim. “To be honest, I’m really not the ideal candidate to compete in something like this. I have held back so many times in my life because of my lack of confidence and endless insecurities, putting a mask on for the world. When I was growing up, people constantly made fun of my appearance. I’m a natural redhead, and of course along with that come the freckles and inability to tan. There was always someone who had something to say, some as jokes, some plain nasty,” Carli says. “As soon as I found out that we will be fostering a little girl, I decided to take the bull by the horns and embrace who I am. Jordyn is going to have her own struggles in life, especially due to her life story not being the norm. For me as a mother to motivate and encourage her, and to teach her not to let comments and opinions hold her back in life, I need to practise what I preach.”
From tea parties with her daughter and lazy weekends with her parents, to taking the dogs for a walk, Carli finds happiness in the simplest moments. “We can just relax at home with each other, watch a little story, or go for a stroll at the mall. I also love popping by my parents’ house, even if it’s just for a quick cup of tea,” she smiles. “Life is full of little moments and small joys, you have to see them for what they are and choose to embrace them.” Though their busy schedules keep them mostly at home, she and Bennie dream of showing their daughter the world, starting with Italy, the place that first ignited their love for travel during their honeymoon. “Italy was magical,” Carli says, “we’d love to take our daughter there one day to experience it with us.”
But there’s no place like home, and for this young mum the Lowveld’s natural beauty, relaxed lifestyle, and mild winters make it the perfect setting for their life together. “I love the laid-back way of life here, it’s a little piece of paradise. People here are warm, friendly, and always willing to lend a hand. That’s something really special.” It is through the people around her, her faith, and even the simplest of moments that Carli finds inspiration, sometimes a conversation, a song or a scene from a movie. “You never know when something will spark an idea or shift your perspective,” she laughs.
So, what does the future hold? Carli envisions a career that allows her to give back in some way, whether through financial support or simply by offering a listening ear. She dreams of visiting old age homes, spreading kindness, and teaching her daughter the importance of compassion. “I want to make my family proud and share God’s love in everything I do. One of my biggest goals is to have the resources to help those in need, either through financial contributions or by just being there for someone. Sometimes, that is all it takes.”
She also hopes to inspire her daughter to embrace a life of kindness, generosity and faith. “At the end of the day, I just want to be the best role model I can be, for my daughter, my family and myself.”
