SOUTH AFRICA: Interview with Karien Potgieter of Running the Race

SOUTH AFRICA: Interview with Karien Potgieter of Running the Race

Karein PotgieterWhere in the world do you live? And, are you from there?

I live in Kimberley, the diamond capital of South Africa.  Kimberley is a smallish, dusty town that gets extremely hot in summer – living here sometimes requires a good sense of humour, ha!  I was born and raised just a short distance from here – in Bloemfontein in Central South Africa.

What language(s) do you speak?

Our home language is Afrikaans, but I’m fluent in English as well.  South Africa has 11 official languages, plus a number of unofficial ones, so I’m really far behind as far as that goes!

When did you first become a mother?

I was blessed with a beautiful, peaceful little girl at the beginning of 2012 at the age of 34.  My son, a busy, happy little guy, was born 22 months later at the end of 2013.  It’s been an overwhelming, busy and blessed two-and-a-half years – what an amazing adventure!

Is your work: stay-at-home mom, other work at home or do you work outside the home?

I’m in the very privileged position to work from home as an ecologist.  I feel extremely blessed to be able to be here for my kids all day (we have a nanny who looks after them while I work) and be able to do a job that I love.

Why do you blog/write?

Writing is my passion – I love, love, love it!  Combining writing with my other passions, namely my kids, running and healthy living, is pure bliss.

How would you say that you are different from other mothers?

I’m quite a health nut!  At the age of two-and-a-half my daughter has never seen or tasted something like a soda and very rarely eats junk food – we just don’t keep it in our house.  She and her brother both love fruits and veggies – perhaps because it’s all they know?  I also love running with both kids in our double jogging stroller – it’s one of our favourite things to do!

What do you view as the challenges of raising a child in today’s world?

There are so many!  Keeping them safe in a country known for its high crime rate; teaching them to value and accept themselves in a society where pressure is immense to be and look a certain way; teaching them to respect others in a world where respect for others is on the decline; teaching them to be active and take care of their bodies in a world where technology makes everything so easy…  The list goes on and on.  Only by grace!

How did you find World Moms Blog?

I love reading about other mothers’ experiences on this crazy adventure called motherhood.  An online search led me to World Moms Blogs, where I’ve found so many inspirational stories about moms from all over the globe – I love it!

This is an original, interview post for World Moms Blog from our new writer in South Africa and mum of 2, Karien Potgieter. You can read more about Karien’s running adventures through life at her personal blog: Running the Race

Karien Potgieter

Karien Potgieter is a full-time working mom of two toddlers. She has a master’s degree in ecology and works in the conservation sector in beautiful South Africa. Her other big passion, apart from her family and caring for the environment, is running. To date she’s participated in races on three continents and in six countries and she dreams of travelling to and running in many, many more. You can follow her and her family’s running adventures on her blog, Running the Race (http://www.runningtherace.co.za).

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