cover feature
Known for her infectious smile and bubbly personality, Jamie-Lee Domburg stole South Africans’ hearts as an Expresso presenter. Today, she’ s co-host of The Nigel Pierce Show on Heart FM, but beyond the microphone, she is simply a mom juggling work and family.
We met up with Jamie-Lee and her son, Luca, in the Presidential Suite at the Taj Cape Town to talk about life, motherhood, and her exciting new chapter.
www. babysandbeyond. co. za
Her big break
Though most South Africans know Jamie-Lee from her days on Expresso, her first foray into the entertainment industry was on cruise ships in the Caribbean, entertaining guests as MC. And then she fell pregnant.
“ I came home, had Luca, and six weeks after he was born one of my best friends told me that Ackermans was looking for a plus-size model.”
At the time, she really didn’ t want to do it.“ I was six weeks postpartum; my confidence wasn’ t there. But I went anyway, and that became my introduction to both television and modelling.”
About six months later, the Expresso auditions opened.“ I remember I didn’ t even have money to get to the auditions. I took my laptop to Cash Crusaders so I could afford to go the next day.”
After several rounds of auditions, Jamie was crowned one of Expresso’ s new presenters, alongside Kuhle Adams.
“ TV was my first love, and later I transitioned into radio. It’ s been challenging and rewarding, and I’ m grateful I took the chance on myself.”
Doing it all
Motherhood has played a big part in shaping Jamie’ s public persona. Luca is now seven and has started his first year in‘ big’ school, aka Grade 1.
“ This industry can be incredibly challenging, but away from all the titles and everything people know me for, I’ m simply a mom.”
Where some might find being a single mom in this industry daunting or simply not doable, Jamie says that Luca keeps her humble.“ It can get crazy, at times. Sometimes you lose sight of who you are or feel pressure to fit into certain spaces. But at the end of the day, I have my little family, and that’ s what grounds me.
When she’ s not on air, she is creating content for advertisers, MCing, modelling for Woolworths and G-Star, and doing cover shoots( ahem), all while being a total baddie... How does she balance it all?“ Balance doesn’ t exist!” she laughs.“ Sometimes you’ re 90 % at work and 10 % at home. Other times it’ s the opposite. It’ s about finding whatever
17