It’ s hard, but it’ s absolutely beautiful. It’ s exhausting yet incredibly fulfilling.
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Cape Town couple Chad Saaiman and Dr Savanah Smith Saaiman have stepped into one of life’ s most transformative seasons with honesty, humour and heart. Chad, a musician and radio host on GoodHope FM as well as founder of Stereotype Talent Management, balances a demanding creative career while embracing fatherhood once again. Savanah, a medical doctor and partner at Innohealth Medical Centres in Cape Town, has spent years caring for patients, but says nothing could prepare her for becoming a mother herself.
Six months into life with twin girls Stevie and Sunny, Chad and Savanah have discovered that parenthood is equal parts chaos, tenderness and transformation. We met up with the foursome at the rooftop of The Grand Daddy Boutique Hotel in Cape Town to chat navigating the newborn haze to building a home grounded in love.
Learning to slow down
For Savanah, motherhood has profoundly shifted her entire understanding of time and self-worth.
“ Previously, so much of who I was, was shaped by what I’ d achieved and how productive I was,” the new mom reflects.“ Motherhood has reshaped the way I view and understand both time and myself.” the beginning, everything felt chaotic,” Savanah says.“ You’ re learning so much about your newborn babies but also, so much about yourself as a parent.”
As someone who thrives on structure, surrendering to the unknown was one of her greatest lessons.“ We’ ve found a good routine now, and I’ ve learnt to embrace the chaos.”
It’ s hard, but it’ s absolutely beautiful. It’ s exhausting yet incredibly fulfilling.
The joy in everyday moments
While restful sleep may still feel like a distant dream, joy has become a constant in their home.“ A good day starts with everyone being well-rested,” Savanah laughs,“ which isn’ t something we’ re getting at the moment. But honestly, waking up every day to two of the happiest girls makes every day a good day.”
Even the twins’ names carry a deeply sentimental connection. Stevie was named after Chad’ s favourite musician, Stevie Wonder, while Sunny was inspired by a name Savanah had always loved – her grandfather’ s nickname, Sonny.
“ Incredibly, after the girls were born and we had already named them, we found out that Savanah’ s grandfather Sonny had a brother everyone called Stevie,” Chad shares.“ It felt really special.”
At six months old, the twins’ personalities are already beginning to emerge.“ Stevie is definitely a daddy’ s girl at the moment,” they agree,“ and Sunny is a mommy’ s girl.” And although parenthood still feels surreal at times, they admit there are moments every single day( and night) when they look at each other and think: We’ re really doing this.
Known for her driven, Type-A personality, she admits that the transition was not always easy.“ I’ ve always been extremely driven and, in many ways, a perfectionist. Motherhood strips away perfection, and I’ ve learnt to celebrate all the imperfections that come with it.” Now, instead of chasing productivity, she finds herself slowing down and becoming fully present with her daughters.
Looking back at the early newborn days, both parents agree the biggest adjustment was learning to navigate the unpredictability of life with twins.“ In
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