Sada….

A beautiful girl’s tale

Many of you have seen her on TV, and some of you have even interacted with her on her media platforms. Her stories and her life journey have been an awesome inspiration to many if not all of us here today.

She has traveled widely and has a lot to share with us, from her upbringing, schooling, work, and charity support, to even her love life, which we all admired at one point. She has chosen to share her story with us so that we can better understand her.

She is a mother, a sister, a friend, and an aunt to many. She holds different titles, having led different organizations. And most importantly, we love her for her passion for caring for the orphans and the needy. She also loves traveling and enjoys nature. One of the things we all love about her is when she shares her travel escapades and the magnificent photography she regularly posts. Today, we are honored and grateful to have her on our Know Your Celebrity show. To give us the inspiration and for us to know her just a little bit more. Without much further ado, ladies and gentlemen, a round of applause as we welcome her on stage……👏👏 Sada White…

Sada! Sada! Sada! Are you dreaming again? Please wake up you will be late for school.

Oh, mum, I just had the most beautiful dream. I dreamt I was on this live show. These shows like Oprah type. And I was being called to the podium. Oh, mum, you should have seen the lights, the cameras, the people clapping and calling out my name. It was magical. A piece of heaven. Oh, mama, I pray that dream may come true.

My child, you and your dreams. I am sure it will come to pass. For now, the only dream I have in mind is for you to wake up and get ready for school. That is exactly how that dream of yours will come true. Okay baby?

Yes ma.

Sada White, welcome on stage. It’s a great honor to have you here with us today. It seems like you didn’t drop the name, White, yet. Hahaha.

Well, it’s still working in process, maybe soon or maybe never. But actually, one of the reasons I am still using the name White is because I have been Sada White for over twenty years. It’s kind of hard to drop it. It’s been my name for ages, and a lot of people now know me by just Sada White. I may think about it. It’s actually an honor to be here. We have been talking about this interview, and finally, two years later, here we are.

You are one busy woman, Sada, but aren’t we glad you found time to join us today?

The pleasure is all mine.

So, Sada, tell us a little bit about yourself. Something that we don’t to know about you. What was your childhood like? Where did you go to school? Your modelling days and finally how you ended up being a nature activist? And if you may like, you may also touch a little bit about Mr Lado White. 

Of course, all you need to know about me, I will be happy to share. It might be an inspiration to many or a learning lesson to others. Thank you for having me on your show. You have a beautiful show, I never miss an episode, and the crowd too, is epic, I never expected it to be this huge now that I am here physically.

The pleasure is all ours, Sada.  Our tickets for your event hosting were sold out in the first two days of announcing your coming. It seems you are a favorite and a fan of many.

I give all the glory to God. It hasn’t been easy. But I am thankful for His mercies. So, who is Sada White?  I have been an only child to my mother. I was born with a twin sister, who I am told passed on immediately we were born. Our father died shortly after following a stroke. So, it’s been my mum and me all this while. She never remarried; I never had siblings besides my cousins, whom she single-handedly raised with me.

Wow, I think Sada, that’s quite a lot. We didn’t know you had a twin sister. One of the interesting facts about you. I am guessing that explains why you have two sets of twins for kids. I thought those were genes from your ex-husband’s side.

No, it’s all from mine.  My dad was a twin, and so was his mother. So, this is pretty in our lineage. I decided not to have any more kids because I thought I would get another set of twins and have a whole army of kids. Hahahah. But kids are a blessing anyway. Right from when I was a little, I wanted to have as many kids as I could because I grew up as an only child, and I envied my friends who came from large families. I thought that chaotic homestead was warm and cool. Because you can imagine when my mum worked night shifts or whenever she got those emergency calls, I had to stay with babysitters or some of my older cousins.

I can imagine that Sada, your mum is a well renowned medical doctor. And what is like growing up under her shield?

My mum has been my pillar all through. Part of the things I do today and know are all her teachings. She was very strict and wanted me to also be a doctor like her, but I guess children sometimes are the best defiers of life hahaha. I went and studied Environmental and Photography. Can you imagine that?

I can imagine, but thanks to that pursuit, we got to know you. Your great works in conserving the environment are what led the whole world to know Sada White. Aren’t we all thrilled to learn this part of you?

Yes, I developed a keen interest in the environment and the importance of conserving it for future generations. We wouldn’t wish to have our kids and grandkids not having green areas to play in, a forest to walk in, just enjoying nature. Because nature has its own ways of healing. And for me, like I said, I spent most of my childhood alone, and also, I guess I didn’t say that I spent it mostly outdoors. My mum planned for so many outdoor activities like nature walks, hikes, and camping, and I think this is when I started developing an interest. She even bought me a camera that I would use to capture things along our hikes and nature walks. Like exotic trees, plants, flowers, and birds. I loved taking still photos of birds. And sometimes we would even go for bird watching whenever we went on our hikes.

That’s quite interesting, Sada. Who would have thought that what you do today is something you started doing when you were a kid?

I remember one time when we began doing the walks, we got carried away, and it got so late that we couldn’t get back home in time. And the idea to pitch a tent came along. That gave us our first camping experience. We usually carried our camping gear always, but we never had a chance to set it up. The night was so long and cold, but I guess being in my mum’s company made it easier. We were so brave that we didn’t think about the animals who could come and frighten us at night, and we also used that chance to catch up. And from then on, camping became our next favorite thing to do. I think that is what drove me to start the different camp sites we have today.

When did you also take interest in charity works?

Like I said earlier, I grew up alone, and most of the time I was looked after by babysitters and relatives, especially when my mum worked long hours at the hospital. I think during that time I got to understand what it means to be looked after by someone else who’s not your own. Whilst my mum was present, I couldn’t help but think of those children who were taken care of by other people, not because their parents were working night shifts, but because they had none. I felt the love people extended to me, and I thought of doing the same for people who would need similar support. And hence, years later, when I met Mr. White in those charity events, we spoke about opening child rescue centers.

So, you met Mr. White in your quest to support the orphans. We might have read that in some of the tabloids. But I must commend you for the noble initiatives you undertook, simply being driven by your upbringing.

I think my mum should take credit for it all hahaha no pun intended though because it was through her raising me, that exposed me to those kinds of things at an early age. And then I met my ex-husband, who also had similar passions and interests to mine, of both nature and charity. This made it easier for us to do all the projects we did together. Even now, when we are separated, we still attend meetings together for some of the organizations we own.

Almost sounded like a match made in heaven. Maybe you mind sharing a little about your life as Mrs. White?  How did you meet, and what was life together with him? I know we had a view of this a while back, but after your separation, we don’t get to see much of your family pics like we used to.

Certainly, I think I kind of expected it anyway, hahaha, on a lighter note. But essentially, life was good. Like I stated earlier, we were both into charity and wildlife, and so it made it easier and comfortable for us to connect. Like you know, I was modelling and when I was selected as Miss Africa, I was an Environmentalist Conservative Ambassador. And it was during those ambassadorial tours that we visited this large orphanage, which had orphaned kids and some suffering from long-term diseases like HIV, malnourishment, and abandonment. While we were there, I met this fellow who welcomed us to this home cheerfully. He was very chatty and spoke with passion about the work he had done for the kids in that home. He was well built and very bulky, and he had carried two young children in both hands.

By this fellow, you mean Mr. White, right?

Certainly yes. And I think for us it was love at first sight. I must confess that it does happen like in the movies. And never would I have imagined that it could happen to me. We met at that Charity event I had attended, and as fate would have it, it became our day one. I continued with my modelling career, and he was very supportive of my initiatives and some of the things we started together, like the children’s homes and campsites. A few years after our meeting, we got married, obviously, I couldn’t keep modelling, and no sooner had the kids come in than I stopped that lavish career, but I continued with the work we had started in terms of overseeing our projects.

That’s very beautiful. And as they say that the rest is history, right? Maybe tell us about your parenting and motherhood journey, and how that impacted your career and some of the business decisions you made?

If I had the capacity, I could fill up the world with children. I believe children are the future of our time and the life ahead of us. And to me, it was important that I gave them a life I had and even better, and hence worked hard right from school all through to making sure our businesses thrive. Growing up apart from my mother, working excessively given her profession, I had so much than I could ever ask for. We didn’t struggle with life’s basics and even a few luxuries like attending an international school, going for trips abroad, having a car at sixteen, and so forth. I think these privileges set me up early, and I thought it would be good to replicate the same for my kids when I have them. And these beliefs were the same for my ex-husband as well. Being a mother to four young kids was not a walk in the park, though. The journey was met with a lot of challenges, but I guess so, as everyone else’s motherhood journey.

What was one of the scariest moments of your motherhood journey that might have also impacted your life in a way?

I can share two experiences. One was when I had our first set of twins. One of them almost didn’t make it out of the hospital. And it got me thinking about my own mother when my twin sister was fighting for her dear life. That moment made me feel like I was walking in my mother’s shoes. Like, I got to experience what she went through. I didn’t know whether I had the strength to live with it, should anything happen to my daughter. Thankfully, even God might have seen that I was not that strong, and He made my baby live. The other time was when I got hospitalized after delivering my second set of twins. I stayed in the hospital for about a month, and during that time, my health deteriorated. My husband was with the babies during this time, supported by my mother and a few of our relatives. As they were little. And we still had the other ones who needed care, too. While I lay in that hospital bed, I couldn’t help but think of what life they would lead in my absence. I kept thinking about the million things and dreams I had regarding what we would do together, just like what I did with my mother. And I couldn’t help but feel sorry for my kids should I don’t make it out alive. To me, that was scary, especially for the babies who had just been born. And thankfully, God heard my cries. I got better, and eventually I was home. I think those two moments were the scariest moments of my life as a parent and a mother. The thought of losing a child and the thought of dying and leaving my babies without a mother.

Oh, my Sada. That was very vulnerable of you to share that part of your life with us. I think, folks, we shall go on a break as I give our dear Sada one big hug.

Thank you darling.

And so, we are back, thank you to our viewers for staying tuned, we continue with our interview. Thank you, Sada, for sharing with us your beautiful journey, and we are really inspired. Also appreciating your vulnerability with us, it’s very kind of you. One of the things we love about you, is your honesty and your ability to share openly, not many of us can do that comfortably.

Any time. I mean, I learnt very early that there is great authenticity in sharing your story in your own way. Sometimes you never know who you might encourage out here.

As we continue, maybe we could get a little deep dive into your organization, the Environmentalist Hub. When was it founded? And what inspires you to keep doing it and even open multiple campsites within the region?

Actually, it’s a funny story. Remember how I told you when I was younger, my mum and I got trapped in a camping site way into the night? That was when the idea kind of formed in my mind. I thought of how beautiful it would be to have a family campsite. Where parents can come with the kids and experience nature. It was during these campsite moments that I got to reconnect with my mum. I mean, with little to no internet or television, or mobile reception, you can only do as much, but just bond and reconnect. Also, given the fact that she worked a lot, we took advantage of those moments at the campsite to do mother-daughter things. Over time, our campsites have grown from family campsites to much more intimate campsites, especially for couples who are looking to reconnect and all. I think this was my ex-husband’s idea, and we loved it. he always insisted that sometimes couples need time alone away from home and the kids to make their marriage and relationship thrive. Over time, these intimate camping sites were what we were known for, but we still do family and school camping as well. So, earlier in my modeling career, when I was selected as an environmental ambassador, I got a few sponsorships to start something that would enhance this noble cause. So, in our campsites, in as much as it’s a forest, we have made them technologically served and internet accessible that when you are here, you don’t miss home, you can still catch up online and continue networking with the world even if you are miles away from home. We also have a heavy infrastructure for water treatment and solar systems, which power all our sites from our main camp. And all these were made possible when I did the first site with the sponsorships. Since then, it’s been all about maintaining them and doing a few enhancements as we save money for the homes.

That is indeed amazing. I am happy to know that both you and your partner had similar interests, and I think it’s what made you get closer in the first place. I know this is a hard question, but could you share just in a nutshell what might have happened between the two of you? As people who followed you were tremendously devastated by your split.

Not at all. I knew this would come up anyway, so I came prepared. Well, as any other couple, we went through our trying times. And sometimes due to our differences, some conflicts became irreconcilable. We tried. We did counselling, and I think counselling also made the split easier with little drama. I know we featured a bit, but we tried to remain civil for the sake of our kids and family. Today, we are still friends, given the fact that we are still parents to our children, we are business partners, and above all, we have this thriving institution that supports orphans all over the region, so we have to ensure we are unified on that front. Eventually, we chose to part silently for the sake of it all. It’s been two years, and I think we have all moved on swiftly. I am still settling in, so don’t ask if I am seeing someone else. Hahaha. Even though I know I am taking my time to go through the healing and all.  I am meeting and making new friends, in case you are worried about my sanity.

I understand Sada and thank you so much for being honest and vulnerable to share with us this side of you. I know a good number of the people in the audience now have a view of who you are as a person, a mother, and an entrepreneur. We couldn’t be humbler than to get this side of you. And with that, we are thankful. Maybe one last question. What’s next for you, Sada? Your kids are all grown, you have no husband, hahaha, no pun intended there, what are we looking at seeing you do?

A lot. And thank you for asking. I am currently setting up a photography school. Something which I have had a passion for but never had the time to engage with. Like I said before, a number of the things I have done were because my husband and I were involved in or we co-founded. So, this time with the photography work, I feel like I would be doing this for myself. Something I enjoy doing, and it would be good to share my skills with people. The school is mostly for kids and teenagers who would love to learn more about photography. I’ll be doing this with one of my daughters. As you might have seen when we launched the project. She is currently nineteen, and it is she who pushed and encouraged me into doing this. It’s our project that we both cofounded. And I am happy to do it with her, too. We are finishing up with a few things, and the school will be up and running in three months. 

That’s beautiful and encouraging. You are outdoing the rest of us. One of the things I am picking from you, Sada, is being intentional with your dreams, passions, and your talents. And believing that they will take you far. Folks, we have come to the end of our show today. You have been an incredible audience. And we have had a wonderful time with Sada, I believe we have all learnt something and have had an incredible amount of fun today, until next time. See you all. Thank you for tuning in.

Sada! Sada! If you continue oversleeping, you will be late for school. Are you still dreaming about your interview on stage? You and your dreams!

Yes, ma, you have no idea. In fact, I was married to a white man, and I had babies with him. Can you imagine me being a mother? And not just any babies, but twins! Two sets of twins! The dream was incredible, I was giving a vivid testimony of my life, marriage, and my businesses. Mum, I was a model who then became an Environmental Conservative. Can you believe that? And I was doing well in life, having my own businesses and Charity organizations, a photography school, and… and …

I believe you, my dear. But I would believe you even more when you get up and prepare for school. Then we can talk about your dream more on the way.

Sure mum.

SADA.

***The end***