Hi I’m Rodna, the voice behind this South African parenting blog helping parents raise smart, confident and well-supported children.
I’m a mom of two amazing children — El Roi, my extraordinary 8-year-old son, and Amalia, my bright and hilarious 4-year-old daughter. They are my greatest teachers and the reason this website exists.
Elroi’s story
My son El Roi is unlike any child I have ever known. He has a photographic memory —This boy can read something complex and recite it back word for word. El roi is a competitive chess player who has won gold medals. He knows the periodic table, speaks confidently about advanced scientific concepts, and can tell you more about dinosaurs than most palaeontologists. He learns differently from other children, and instead of forcing him into a box, I chose to understand how his brilliant mind works. I homeschool him, I give him space to research what he loves, and I watch him achieve 100% consistently. He is proof that when you truly SEE your child, there is no limit to what they can become.
We are also very excited to be launching El Roi’s very own YouTube channel soon — where he will share his knowledge on dinosaurs, science, chess and everything his incredible mind loves. Watch this space! 🦕♟️.
Amalia’s story
My daughter Amalia is 4 years old and has already mapped out her entire future — she will be both a doctor AND a model, and she will not be taking any questions at this time. 👑🩺 She attends ECD and every single day she comes home with a new question, a new discovery, and a new reason to smile. That girl’s confidence is something I never have to teach her — she was born with it.
My credentials
I am a Publisher, an Editor by profession, a Systemic Counsellor and recently I completed my Masters Course in Digital Marketing and Business. I bring all of that — a love of words, an understanding of people, and knowledge of the digital world — to every post I write here.
What This Site Is About
Raising Smart Kids SA is built for South African parents who want practical, honest and real-world advice. I cover four areas that I believe every SA parent needs:
- Parenting — raising emotionally strong, confident and curious children
- Budgeting — managing family finances in a tough South African economy
- Neurodiversity — understanding and celebrating children who learn differently
- Digital Safety — keeping our children safe in an increasingly connected world
Whether you are navigating a child who learns differently, trying to stretch your budget for school fees, or simply looking for a community of parents who get it — you belong here.
This is an honest, practical and warm space for South African parents who are doing their very best every single day.
Welcome to the village. 🇿🇦