This digital powerhouse proves that success and family can go hand in hand
Babalwa Mcaciso takes 'thirty and thriving' to a whole new level - and if there's one thing she knows, it's how to take the mundane everyday things and turn them into a real, raw and utterly relatable experience. She began her journey in advertising and has since made quite the splash as a digital content creator.
The Ggeberha-born powerhouse has built a brand that's equal parts glam and relatable. Whether it's sharing her latest parenting wins, snippets of family life, dropping gems on motherhood or giving us total wardrobe envy, she does it with effortless style and panache that keeps her followers hooked.
Along with her for the ride is her husband, Zola Mcaciso, with the pair of them redefining modern love. They tied the knot in 2021 with a wedding that is a Pinterest dream come true, set against breathtaking views of the Cape Overberg coastline and blending Xhosa tradition with modern elegance.
Together, the couple navigate the intricacies of parenthood with their two energetic little boys. As we speak, they're currently occupied on the jungle gym outside after school. Babalwa says that the family loves to unwind by cooking together in the evenings.
"While I'm cooking. I would usually have my kids sitting right in front of me, telling me about their day, drawing and just chatting away. They love being involved when I'm cooking."
A fan favourite in the Mcaciso household are mom's special burgers, though she stays tight-lipped on what her secret ingredient is. It must be love!
GETTING TO KNOW BABALWA
Babalwa is a 'what you see is what you get' kind of person. She lives her life authentically, and who she is on camera is exactly who she is off camera - someone with a big smile, an even bigger laugh, and an absolute firecracker from the moment she says hello.
Having recently turned the big 3-0, she shares that it's a bit of a daunting time in her life.
"I think it's just an age that I've always looked at and had a list of things that I should have accomplished by 30. I've ticked most of them off, but then there's some I still need to accomplish. So that's why it was such a huge thing, because it's always been the age where I thought I should have made it!"
She shares that she's big on celebrations and so, together with her husband, she took the vacation of her dreams to Thailand and celebrated this chapter of her life in style. "I'd been there for work but I didn't get to do a lot of the things I wanted to do, so I had to go back. I don't regret it. I fell in love with Bangkok even more and now I want to go back every year!"
MOTHERHOOD IN ALL ITS GLORY
Babalwa says that no matter what, when it comes to making career or business decisions, she always considers her children first. "They're young now, but one day they won't be young. So, whatever it is that I put out there, I always think of them and think how it will affect them."
Making her kids proud is tantamount. "They also influence me to work harder, to be the best version of myself. Sometimes I'm having a bad day, and I just remind myself that I'm doing everything for them, you know? They are part of the reason why I work so hard. I want them one day to say, my mom was my role model.' They make me want to become a better person
"I always pray to God to guide me, to give me the wisdom and the right tools to be a good mother, to be the best parent I can be, because He's the one who gave me the children."
FAMILY IS EVERYTHING
It's clear that her family is at the very core of Babalwa's world. It shows not only in the content she creates but in the sparkle in her eye when she shares just how important their support is to her.
"I'm really blessed to be able to have a husband and a mom and a dad that really are supportive of the work that I do. And I'm also so blessed to be able to involve the kids in my work. If they're involved in a campaign, I always reward them, and the money that they get is theirs to do whatever it is that they want."
Zola helps where he can, from filming content to editing the beautiful vlogs on YouTube. "He actually played such a huge role when I started this journey because I had no idea how to make YouTube videos. He was the one that would stay up all night, trying to figure out how to edit, and for my first year on YouTube he did literally 90 percent the work. Besides the fact that he's got his full-time job [he is s a labour and employment lawyer], he makes sure that he supports me and is there for me."
Content creation as a career is still a new concept. While her parents might not understand exactly how it can lead to a viable or even lucrative career, they're still very supportive of everything Babalwa does. "I thank God for the structure and the support that I have, because without that, I don't think I would have been able to be where I am today."
HOME IS WHERE MOM IS
Mother, wife, businesswoman, daughter... juggling multiple balls is never easy, but Babalwa says that despite its challenges, this is exactly where she's always wanted to be.
"I enjoy being a mom. I enjoy dropping my kids off at school in the morning and picking them up in the afternoon. I enjoy being a wife. It's one of the things that I've always wanted - from a young age I fantasised about having a family."
"I feel like it comes second nature to me, taking care of my family and playing an active role in my children's lives, and just being there and cooking for them. I love feeding my children. I love creating a warm space and a safe space for them."
In the Mcaciso family, tradition and culture is paramount. "I think, because my husband comes from a very traditional background, he's really helped our home - in terms of not forgetting who we are and where we come from and understanding who we are and what we are here to do, and that's really influenced how we raise the boys."
Babalwa shares that in wanting to be a perfect role model for her children, she is inspired by her own mother. "My mom is a typical traditional wife and she's my best friend. From the time I was a little girl, I've always just admired her and how she treats my dad and how she's played her role of being a wife. Her teachings helped me understand who I am and what I should aspire to become one day... a woman and a wife like her.
"The cultural values I have are also the core of my brand identity. I want to be an example to younger girls who can look at me and see a template in the way that I live life, and say, 'Wow, when I'm a wife, I want to be that way!"
INSPIRING OTHERS
To others looking to dip their toe in the world of business while raising a family, Babalwa's advice is to simply take the plunge.
"I always say to people, 'Just start', because the more you think about it, the more you're going to prolong and find the reasons not to. Rome wasn't built in a day... Take the leap of faith and push yourself to just do it. That burning desire is there for a reason, and it won't go away until you do it. You will never succeed if you're afraid of failure. Failing is good - it's one of the ways you learn how to not do something. Do it, fail and get up again."
However, she stresses that a support structure is crucial. "Find the people that believe in you and stick with them. It doesn't have to be your parents or partner. Just find someone who believes in you and hold on to that person. Find your community and lean on them for support, encouragement and advice. And then put your head down and get the work done."
To others looking to dip their toe in the world of business while raising a family, Babalwa's advice is to simply take the plunge.
"I always say to people, 'Just start', because the more you think about it, the more you're going to prolong and find the reasons not to. Rome wasn't built in a day... Take the leap of faith and push yourself to just do it. That burning desire is there for a reason, and it won't go away until you do it. You will never succeed if you're afraid of failure. Failing is good - it's one of the ways you learn how to not do something. Do it, fail and get up again."
However, she stresses that a support structure is crucial. "Find the people that believe in you and stick with them. It doesn't have to be your parents or partner. Just find someone who believes in you and hold on to that person. Find your community and lean on them for support, encouragement and advice. And then put your head down and get the work done."
FOLLOW BABALWA
Instagram: @babalwa_mcaciso
TikTok: BabalwaMcaciso_official
Youtube: @themcacisofam
By: Rughsaar Bibi Ismail
Photography by: Zhann Solomons
CELEBRATING MOTHERHOOD WITH BABALWA MCACISO
Reviewed by Amaarah
on
April 10, 2025
Rating:
Reviewed by Amaarah
on
April 10, 2025
Rating:
