11 ways to say Thank You, Mama

Continuing on my thankful theme for the day, I wanted to share this video that gave me the sniffles. It was released by P&G (the home of Pampers, Always, Olay, Pantene, Gillette, Vicks and Head & Shoulders), as part of the Thank You Mama movement to mark the run-up to this year’s Olympic Games.



I’ll admit it, I wouldn’t mind Travis signing ‘thanks, mom’ from the podium at the Special Olympics, or Ryan giving me a wink before he accepts the Nobel Prize for Physics. But I’ll happily settle for an egg on toast with a homemade Mothers’ Day card later this month.

Never a dull nation, one of the great things about being South African is you can say: “Thank you, Mom!” in 11 different ways...

Ngiyabonga, Mama! Ndiyabulela, Mama! Dankie, Mamma! Ke a leboga Mme! Ke a leboga, Mama! Keya leboha, Mama! Inkomu, Mama! Siyabonga, Mama! Ndo livhuwa, Mama or Ro livhuwa, Mama! And finally, Ngiyathokoza, Mama!

Notice how the word ‘mom’ is so similar in all our official languages...

Another great thing about being South African is the spirit of community; even though I lost my own mother when I was very young, I was raised by a tribe of colourful moms. I like to think that a little piece of each of them shines through me as I raise my own two boys.

You can share your gratitude for the women who raised you, too:

Facebook: ThankYouMamaSA
Twitter: @ThankYouMamaSA
Web: www.thankyoumama.co.za