Motherhood has got to be one of the most challenging professions in the world. More often than not, we expect supermoms — chefs, cleaners, doctors, psychologists, friends and teachers all rolled into one.

They are extraordinary human beings and they deserve to be cherished all the time, not just once a year. Well, we've established how hectic it really is being a mother but have you ever wondered how difficult it must be being a celebrity mom.

Not only do these women have to make sure that their kids are safe, happy and cared for, they also need to meet the incessant demands of the public. We chat to some of South Africa's favourite mums about juggling the challenges of work and motherhood.

Helen Zille

Helen Zille, who has two boys, does not have a problem juggling her duties. "I manage my time very well. It was very difficult when the children were small and I had just started my own business (a public policy consultancy). I had very little sleep and had to keep going through sheer adrenalin trying to be a good mother and an efficient businesswoman."

Zille was quick to say that despite all this her kids did not come short. The most satisfying thing about being a mom for her is participating in her sons' activities and knowing that they enjoy it.

When asked about spending quality time with her sons, she said: "You can't plan quality time. It happens spontaneously. My elder son has moved out but when he was still at home, he used to play in gigs and come home in the early hours of the morning — just as I was getting ready to start the day. We would be in the kitchen, where he would be making himself a snack before going to bed, and I would be having tea. Then we would often have our best chats, and he would tell me about what was happening in his life. These interactions were real quality time. I will never forget them."

The new Western Cape Premier is not expecting any presents because it's not something that her family does.

Judith Sephuma

Judith Sephuma is a jazz musician and a proud mother of five. A special boy came into her life when he was 12 and added value to her life. The songstress reckons that managing a career and being a mum is not as difficult as it seems.

"This question has been asked so many times, everything works out well. I have been living with my kids before my career started taking off, it has become a part of my life. I can't separate the two, but to make it work, I have to do certain things as a routine."

Sephuma loves spending time with her children. "I watch a lot of television and I love having a braai with my boys. I also love a me time. I relax and in that way I become more patient with my kids especially if I spend time by myself."

The singer says that she wants her kids to respect older people and most importantly to love and fear God.

The award-winning musician says: "Being a mother is a blessing from God. It's a once-off gift and I love being a mom."

Sephuma is not expecting gifts. "As long as I get a phone call or spend time with my kids on that day, I'm okay with anything."

Lerato Moloi

Lerato Moloi is one of South Africa's top models and she was recently appointed as the face of Elizabeth Arden. When asked about being a celeb mom she had this to say: "Being a 'celeb' mom is a fairly new concept for me and my family, so I don't have much experience in that yet."

Lerato loves watching DVD's and reading to her five-year-old daughter. "I read to her and she asks at least 12 questions about one sentence." They enjoy going to the park together or just sitting in the garden and talking about 'stuff'.

The model wants to be supportive in all her children's ambitions, dreams and hopes.

One of Lerato's special moments with her daughter is when she was revealed as the SA ambassador for Elizabeth Arden.

"We took many pictures for the press together and she just loved the attention, she sparkled in the limelight. Her two bottom teeth are getting loose and we can already see the replacements peering through."

Lerato won't object if her child decides to become a model. "I would support her on condition that she completes her high school education and whatever else she may want to study."

Rosamund Kendal

Rosamund Kendal is a GP and the author of the medical novel 'Karma Suture'. Her book was listed as one of Exclusive Books' best sellers in 2008. When we called her she was busy bathing her son.

This busy mum painted us a picture of what usually happens when she spends time with her toddler.

"Mmm... I usually end up pushing toy cars down the passage or parking off at a construction site waiting until my son gets bored of watching diggers and dump trucks at work. Seriously though, because I don't get to spend that much time with him, I try to fill the hours that I do spend with him with whatever he wants to do."

Rosamund loves being a career woman and a mother. "I'm lucky enough to work half days (and see patients as a GP for the other half of the day!). And I think the balance is perfect. I enjoy the stimulation and the adult interaction that working in a GP practice allows me but I don't feel the guilt that I know I would experience if I left my son for the whole day."

The most important lesson that she would like to teach her son is to act with integrity at all times. "If I could pass that one value to my son I would be satisfied that I've done a good job as a mother."

That's not all — the author would also like her son to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables each day and to limit television to one hour a day and to avoid making friends with boys who smoke and have long hair, earrings and tattoos.

The best thing about being a mother is: "The joy I feel when something makes my son laugh. The warmth that floods my heart when he hugs me. The pride that blinds me when he learns a new word. The pure unadulterated bliss of sharing a life with a toddler."

Basetsana Kumalo

Bassie was crowned Miss South Africa in 1994 and she now heads up a production company. She says: "It's very difficult being a career woman and a mother. There's no formula for it, you just have to prioritise."

When asked about the values she would like to teach her kids she says, "I would like to teach them decency and Ubuntu. They need to treat other people with respect regardless of their social standing. I want them to grow up knowing that they have to work hard because things don't grow on trees."

This extraordinary woman believes that "motherhood is an incredible calling. I enjoy watching them grow, knowing that they came (from) inside you (and) not forgetting that they have their own lives."

These hard-working women are not just beauty queens, politicians, businesswomen or artists — they are faced with the same challenges as any other parent. On this Mother's Day, we salute all hard working mothers in our country.