Fourteen years ago, she came to Mauritius on an expatriate contract. She met this man who swept her off her feet (the stuff that Mills and Boon novels are made of - private joke) and since then, South-African born Kim considers herself fully Mauritian. You meet her and you’re glad that the country is welcoming new citizens of that calibre. And this is no buttering, Kim!

The last bit has to be underlined. The day I was meant to meet Kim Gueho, she called to offer to arrange a meeting with a friend of hers whose profile she thought we should do because her friend was “more appropriate”. Puzzled, I asked why. “I’m not interesting”, said the lady. I was more determined; I walked into her office!

And I’m so glad I did too. First reaction when we saw each other… laughter! I can still hear it. She was so nervous, bless her heart. But then… she got talking. Now that most uninteresting lady, whose eyes by the way keep sparkling because she is so alive, has sung at the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, sings anything classical, has travelled the world (Texas, Chicago, Hong Kong, Germany, Belgrade, Malaysia, Switzerland etc.) and works at the Loiita Banking Group, a finance holding company that manages its African branches from Mauritius.

Kim has found her calling - being a mother. “I have three gorgeous daughters…” Dear me, the eyes sparkle more, if at all possible. Her family is the most important thing in her life. “And that’s what Mauritius brought to me. Mauritians are so content with their lot, they are not constantly striving for more and more unlike the rest of the world”, says this Aries lady.

Being true to her sun sign though, Kim most certainly does not idealise the place she chose to call home. “You do have to get out though, to remember little things like why it is important to respect rules and regulations… and that not all the rules are made to be broken!” This South African lady speaks a near perfect French and when she wants to underline an important point… she says it in Creole! “Oh I need to be sure I am understood!” she says before bursting out laughing. Then she gets lost in her thoughts and laughs again. Share the joke please? “I do it to my husband. I am not taking any chances if the matter is important, I say to sir tonn kompren la? (Are you sure you’ve understood?)

And the children? “French with their father and between themselves, English with me… unless I want to make sure they are left with no doubt as to what I want… then it’s French!” says Kim determinedly. I look at her smiling. She gets all nervous again. “What now?” she asks.

I told the lady who smiles every time the sun shines that I wouldn’t need to write anything at all about her, I’d just need to open my astrology book and go to the fire sign Aries. “My God, she says blushing, I won’t buy the papers tomorrow!” Not to worry, a copy will be sent to you, Kim…