Articles | Alliance Of African Midwives

Medicalization of Birth in Africa

Childbirth was always a women business. Women assisted other women during birth as well as bearing children for thousands of years. Before colonization of Africa, birth happened at home. Midwives have helped women deliver babies since the begining of history. Women were surrounded by female relatives and friends and under the care of a midwife. Men had little knowledge of the birth process or of the female anatonomy. These women were called midwives, and they were in charge of the birth of a baby. The midwife would care for the pregnant women, deliver the baby and provide essential postnatal care for the woman until she is back on her feet to care for herself. Continue reading →

My Grandmother-The Traditional Midwife

I grew up with two very strong women in my life: my mother and my grandmother. They both had a profound and lasting effect on my life, providing me, through their example and guidance, the foundations for what I am today. Whilst my mother was the closest person to me in my life, my grandmother provided the role model for my vocation in midwifery. My grandmother was a strong, tough but caring and compassionate woman and despite the formidable personality that she presented to the world, I have fond memories of her. Continue reading →

Birth in the Karoo

Beaufort West is the gateaway between Cape Town and Johannesburg. It is also the gateway to holiday resorts in the Western, Eastern and Southern Cape. I am a Beaufort Wester. Heart transplant pioneer Professor Chris Barnard, is the the town’s most famous son. Yes, Chris grew up in the dusty and small town we love. The people of my dusty home town are strong and know how to survive. I learned about enduring hardship in this small town.The life lessons of Beaufort West have enabled me to survive many obstacles. I have lived in many countries and feel that I can survive anywhere. Many people in Beaufort West feel that way and do well anywhere they go. Continue reading →

Beaufort West

Beaufort West is a very isolated and lonely place while at the same time it is also severely economically depressed. This has resulted in the inhabitants of that town experiencing harsh living conditions. They have had to adapt to many hardships and for them life is a daily struggle. Many, if not most of the towns people go about their daily lives having adapted to their circumstances. The will to survive and go forward is a very special trait in that community. Continue reading →

About me

I was born in a small town called Beaufort West, South Africa. Beaufort West is a typical small town about 450 km from Cape Town, with a rich romantic history. The town is regarded as the halfway mark when travelling on the N1 from Cape Town to Johannesburg. The town was called Beaufort in honour of Lord Charles Somerset’s father, the fifth Duke of Beaufort, and man who could trace his lineage back to the Plantagenets. Beaufort West became the first municipality in South Africa and had the first town hall in the country as well. Beaufort West people are very friendly and helpful and has produced many medical greats. The world’s first heart transplant surgeon, Christiaan Barnard was born en bred in Beaufort West. Continue reading →