Sho Madjozi Opens Up About Choosing Motherhood on Nandi Madida’s Podcast

Award-winning artist and cultural icon Sho Madjozi recently sat down with Nandi Madida on her podcast, The Motherhood Network, where she had an open and heartfelt conversation about embracing motherhood on her own terms.

In the emotional interview, Sho Madjozi spoke about her journey as what she calls a “choice mom.” She explained that her decision to have a child was not tied to marriage or a relationship, but rather a conscious and personal decision to become a mother.

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“A choice mom means that I chose to be a mom,” she said. “It wasn’t that, ‘Oh, okay, I was married and because of my marriage I had a child.’ It wasn’t that I chose a man and the child was an aftereffect — no, no, no. I chose to be a mom. That’s what we are as choice women.”

Sho Madjozi also drew a distinction between being a “choice mom” and being a single mother, saying that while she fully supports single mothers, her experience is different.

“I am a huge supporter of single mothers and empowering them; however, being a choice mom is different from being a single mother. There are certain struggles that are not seen within the single mom world. They deal a lot with recovery and repair from the baby daddy and the conflict that comes from breaking up,” she explained.

“There is a grief that I have held some of my friends through; I don’t share that grief. I did not choose a man, I chose a child. I wanted to have a child. I was not interested in having a relationship. I have the privilege of not needing a relationship or a man. Our grandmothers did not have that privilege. I have it and I intend to use it,” she added.

The John Cena hitmaker said her decision came from a place of wanting to give her child a sense of stability, love, and emotional safety, things she values deeply because of her own upbringing.

“I wanted love that felt safe. I wanted to give my child the kind of grounding I didn’t always have growing up,” she said.

Sho Madjozi also emphasized the importance of community, explaining that her child is surrounded by love and guidance from family and elders.

“I grew up in a village of women. My child is also being raised in a community. I’m not doing this alone; I’m doing it differently.”

Towards the end of the conversation, the star reflected on modern relationships and the challenges women face in finding compatible partners.

“In South Africa, I am not sure what is happening. It seems to me, within my circles, that there are simply not enough viable men for us. I can name 20 or 30 brilliant black women who are smart, funny, educated — they are everything, but it’s not easy to find a partner,” she said.

Sho Madjozi ended by encouraging women to know that motherhood doesn’t have to depend on finding a man.

“I want those people to know that you have an option. It doesn’t mean that because you can’t find a man, or because men in your life haven’t been kind or good, that should determine whether or not you want to have a child.”

Her message was one of empowerment — a reminder that women have the freedom to shape their lives and families in ways that feel right for them.