It is pregnancy season for celebrities. Last week, Zimoja broke the news that singer, Kelly Khumalo is expecting. This week, spokesperson to the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, former radio presenter and singer Masechaba Khumalo (39) shared pictures of her baby bump, captioned, 'Grateful.' Responding to ZiMoja, when quizzed about the baby bump, Masechaba stated that she is not yet ready to open up about the pregnancy and will do so in due course. Celebrities, fans, and foes have however rushed to congratulate the glowing mom-to-be. "Such fantastic news! Congratulations mommy' wrote Karabo Ntshweng. While Boity Thulo wrote, "Oh I love to see it! Congratulations mama!'

PARENTING AND DIVORCE

A few years ago, the two-time divorcee joined the long list of celebrities who revealed their single relationship status after being divorced from partner Vusi Ndlovu whom she married after Mfundo Ntsibande. Masechaba shared how she made a painful decision to separate from her partner. "I've taken the very painful decision of separating from my husband, the love of my life, the man of my dreams. My ride or die. Sometimes in life, the best thing you can do is the hardest thing you've ever done.' Although they are no longer together, she said they will remain good friends and great parents to their children. "Often, people keep up pretences because of the fear to be seen as failures or losing credibility. We forget that the best gift you can give to the world and you is your happiness. Your truth. Social media shouldn't only be about flaunting the good times. Let's engage and grow with each other even in difficult times. Life is a journey and not a destination,' she wrote.

OVERCOMING MANY TRIALS

Masechaba has also in the past opened up about the trauma of being sexually abused by her stepfather at just nine years old. "My first sexual encounter was with my stepdad, unfortunately. I was nine and he molested me. When my mother (was not there), we were in the States,' she shared. "My mom left me with him, as we think it is acceptable to leave a child with her father. For two-three days he held me hostage and he basically sexually abused me. After that, I wanted nothing to do with men, for a long time but I healed from that and I've learned that it's not about genders, it's about people, it's about criminals." She shared that this is why she's always been against the #menaretrash movement. "I've been beaten, I've been sexually abused, and I've had everything you can imagine happen to me except death.'

CAREER DRIVEN

In 2020, Masechaba was appointed as the new spokesperson for the Department of Sports, Arts, and Culture, taking over from award-winning journalist and producer Asanda Magaqa. Minister Nathi Mthethwa announced her role in a tweet stating he was pleased to have her join his team. "I am pleased to welcome Masechaba to the Department of Sports, Arts, and Culture as my newly appointed spokesperson. As a department, we know that you will play an integral part in executing our motto of 'laying the foundation for greatness," he said. This year, Masechaba launched her singing caree rwhen she released her debut single Vela featuring The Real LandLordz.