2025 symposium speakers
Prof Doreen Kaura
Topic 1: Maximizing Contributions of African Midwives Towards Achieving Maternal Health Targets: Lessons Learned
Topic 2: Gestational Diabetes (GDM): Caring Sensitively for Women with GDM
Prof Doreen Kainyu Kaura is a Professor, Research Leader and Midwifery and Neonatal Expert at Stellenbosch University, South Africa. She is a distinguished scholar in Maternal and Neonatal Healthcare (MNH) and Midwifery, with expertise in informatics, digital health, and healthcare coordination. Her research focuses on leveraging technology to enhance maternal health services, ensuring continuity of care, and empowering healthcare professionals.
Sandy Reid
Topic: Beyond the Basics: But why did this happen?
Sandy trained as a midwife and went on to set up the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission program at McCord Hospital. She then went on to work with the University of KwaZulu-Natal and WHO to train community health workers to identify mothers early in pregnancy and encourage early ante-natal care, safe delivery and breastfeeding. She then assisted with the role out of Human Milk Banks in the neonatal units in KwaZulu-Natal.
For this presentation she comes as the youngest daughter of Prof Hugh Philpott and as her father would introduce her, the baby of the family!
Barbara Verneus
Topic: Infertility within the Black Woman
Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Barbara Verneus is a first generation Indigenous Haitian American who comes from a line of ancestral midwives from her maternal side. After digging into her mother’s lineage, she realized that midwifery chose her more than she chose it. In 2003, she became a doula serving mothers in New York City. In 2006 , she traveled to Senegal, West Africa to volunteer with the African Birth Collective, and decided then to become a midwife. Since, Barbara has trained in several states (NY, MA, PA, TX, and NJ).
In 2013, she discovered she was pregnant and birthed a beautiful baby girl the following year. Inspired by the birth of her daughter, she launched Tiny and Brave Holistic Doula Services in 2015, gained her masters in counseling with a concentration in Marriage and Family, in 2016, and began her journey towards becoming a certified professional midwife.
She has worked as a midwifery assistant in Brooklyn, NY at Dyekora Sumda Midwifery Services, MotherBloom in Austin, TX and Baraka Midwifery Serving in the surrounding areas of New Jersey and Pennsylvania. She has served as an advisor to teenage mothers at PathWays PA, an organization that helps women, teens, children, and families achieve economic independence and family well-being. In pursuit of her Graduate Certificate in Maternal and Child Health from Boston University, Barbara conducted workshops in the Boston area on women’s, reproductive, infant, and adolescent health. She has led workshops, across the country, on topics such as racism, motherhood and mental wellness; breastfeeding and the history of Black midwives within radical birth work. She has also been featured in several social media platforms. To date, she has attended over 300 births since starting her journey in birth work.
Barbara desires to provide intentional comprehensive therapeutic continuity of care to families in urban communities and overseas that allows families to feel empowered, honored and safe. Grieved by the abuse of women and children and the lack of value of marginalized families; she seeks to reemphasize the importance of the family unit because all parties are vital to the development of one’s community no matter the makeup. She strongly believes that one’s sovereignty is their birthright to birth right. She hopes that her practice will seek to help in the movement of birth equity and sustainability for the midwife and the families they serve to purposefully thrive and not just exist.
Kaeki Raphela
Topic: Contributing towards an HIV-Free Generation
Kaeki Raphela is a Registered Nurse and Midwife with 20 years of experience in obstetrics. She currently serves as an Operational Manager in the labour ward at New Somerset Hospital in Green Point, Cape Town. Passionate about women’s health, childbirth, and mentoring nursing students, she is dedicated to sharing her knowledge and skills with the next generation of healthcare professionals.
Kaeki earned her Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from the University of Venda for Science and Technology in Limpopo. She further specialized with postgraduate qualifications in Nursing Management and Advanced Midwifery and Neonatology from Stellenbosch University in the Western Cape. Her career spans two provinces—Gauteng and the Western Cape—where she has worked in district, regional, and tertiary hospitals, gaining extensive experience across different levels of care.
With a strong desire to shape the future of nursing, Kaeki aspires to transition into nursing education, where she can impart her expertise to aspiring midwives.
Beyond her professional life, Kaeki’s interests include deepening her faith in God and Christianity, reading, traveling, and spending quality time with her family. She is passionate about exploring the depths of spiritual understanding and embracing the knowledge that God allows the human mind to comprehend.
Angela Wakeford
Topic: Waterbirth
Angela Wakeford is an Independent Professional Midwife in Cape Town. She offers pregnancy, home birth and early newborn care and is based in Fish Hoek, South Peninsula of Cape Town.
Angela spent 15 years working as a midwife in the UK, gaining invaluable experience and furthering her Midwifery education (Post-registration BSc Midwifery Studies, Preparation of Supervisor of Midwives, Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics, Neonatal Life Support, Water Birth Training and Facilitation of Student Learning, Examination of the Newborn). Angela has worked in the hospital and community settings and this has stood her in good stead for independent practice. After five years of solo practice, she joined the Birth Options Midwifery Team of independent midwives in January 2016. From August 2020, Angela went back to solo practice, as sadly the Birth Options Team was coming to an end.
“People often ask me why I chose to be a midwife. The answer is that it chose me. Midwifery was incorporated into my nursing training, and I realised I had found my niche. There is so much you can do to help someone have a good birth experience – the little things you do make a big difference. I like the fact that I meet so many different people and each birth is unique. I am passionate about assisting women and their partners to make informed choices for their pregnancy and birth and in providing options for natural birthing. I take my cue from the UK, where evidence-based practices are important and do my best to incorporate both the holistic and medical aspects of care. I feel strongly about using the most up to date evidence and research to support my practice, which means I am always growing and developing as a midwife.”
Dr Sanele Lukhele
Topic: Encouraging the Contextual Interpretation of the Intrapartum Cardiotocograph by Midwives and Obstetricians
Dr Sanele Lukhele is a Lecturer at the School of Nursing at the University of the Western Cape. She holds a Masters degree in Midwifery and Neonatal Nursing Science. Her areas of interest are maternal, child and neonatal health, adolescent reproductive health as well as indigenous knowledge systems. Sanele is a passionate midwife who always advocates for midwifery led care for all low-risk women. She has made it her mission to educate those within her reach about midwifery led care. In 2017, the international community recognised her, as she was invited to be Africa’s sole representative in the Sigma Nursing Next Generation Leaders eight-member task force. In 2018, Sanele made it on to the Mail and Guardian 200 Young South Africans list, an honour that she has dedicated to all nurse-midwives who have made it their mandate to restore the image of nursing in South Africa. In 2019, she was awarded the Gauteng Premier’s Excellence Award in the health category. Her collaborative, people-centred nature has allowed her to build strong professional relationships throughout her career. As a testament to this, she was appointed on the Nursing Now Challenge – Midwives in Focus Steering committee in 2022. In 2023, Sanele was one of 6 young nurses who was chosen by the Nursing Now Challenge to form part of its delegation that attended the World Health Assembly in Switzerland, Geneva. Her most recent invitation to serve has come from the Society of Midwives of South Africa, where she serves on the Executive Committee as the association’s secretary.
Dr Tshepiso Mfolo
Topic: The Link Between Oral Health and Maternal Health – A Vital Connection
Dr Mfolo qualified as a dentist in 2006 at the University of the Western Cape and completed her community service in Potchefstroom. She worked in private practice from 2008 and joined the Department of Odontology at the University of Pretoria (UP) as a full time lecturer in 2010. Dr Mfolo was extensively involved in the clinical supervision, teaching and training of undergraduate students in dental materials, paediatric dentistry, endodontics and basic restorative dentistry. She was also a guest lecturer for postgraduate programmes in Paediatric Dentistry and Aesthetic Dentistry. Dr Mfolo obtained a post graduate diploma in Aesthetic Dentistry and also in Community Dentistry from UP. She joined the Department of Community Dentistry in 2015 where she coordinated the preventive dentistry modules and various outreach projects. She is extensively involved in providing dental outreach services to children at various primary schools. Dr Mfolo is currently enrolled as a registrar in the Department of Community Dentistry at UP. Her research interest is on maternal and child oral health advocacy. She completed her MSc programme with her dissertation focused on Early Childhood Caries (ECC) and maternal oral health.
Dr Mfolo is currently the President of the South African Association of Paediatric Dentistry and an active member of the International Association of Paediatric Dentistry (IAPD) where she serves on the IAPD Awards Committee. She represented South Africa at the first Global ECC Summit (2018) in Bangkok and she is the South African Representative of Nations at the Early Childhood Caries Advocacy Group. Dr Mfolo has chaired sessions, adjudicated and presented in numerous local and international conferences. Dr Mfolo has publications in local and international peer-reviewed scientific journals.
Dr Chantel da Silva
Topic 1: The Impact of Pregnancy on Maternal Musculoskeletal Health
Topic 2: The Musculoskeletal Impact of Birth Interventions
Dr Chantel da Silva is a dedicated chiropractor with a special interest in perinatal and paediatric care, committed to supporting mothers and babies through every stage of their journey. As the founder of Rise Chiropractic, she empowers families with expert care, education, and guidance, helping women confidently advocate for their own health and that of their little ones.
Holding a Master’s in Chiropractic from Durban University of Technology, Dr Chantel is an active member of the Chiropractic Association of South Africa, Paediatric Chiropractic Africa, and ZIAHM – the Association of Infant Mental Health South Africa. With years of experience caring for pregnant women, newborns, and children, she has an in-depth understanding of the musculoskeletal impact of pregnancy and birth interventions. Her expertise offers invaluable insights into how birth experiences can shape long-term health and well-being.
Kelly Roberts
Topic: Sacred Movement: A Unique Integration of Movement and Midwifery Care
Kelly is a Registered Nurse and midwife with a deep passion for women’s health and traditional practices that empower women. Having been a dancer from a young age and completing her 200-hour yoga teacher training two years ago after practicing yoga for over a decade, she combines her love for movement with her dedication to midwifery. Inspired by both, Kelly founded her small business, Sacred Movement. Through Sacred Movement, she offers a unique approach that integrates movement during pregnancy and postpartum with informed education about the body’s transformation during and beyond pregnancy. Kelly believes wholeheartedly that movement is medicine, and for pregnant women, it is nothing short of magic.
Dr Margreet Barnardt
Topic: The Impact of C-sections on Babies’ Well-being
Dr Margreet Barnardt, Midwife Specialist and General Manager of Sister Lilian Centre & Sensitive Midwifery, brings extensive expertise to maternal care. Her academic journey began with a Midwifery degree in Belgium (2002), followed by advanced qualifications from Nelson Mandela University, culminating in a PhD focused on scaling midwifery practices in South Africa. Her research and publications contribute significantly to the field.
Inspired by the Netherlands’ midwifery-led model, Margreet’s South African experience revealed stark disparities, prompting her to establish the Healthy Mom and Baby Clinic (HMBC) in 2009. This non-profit provides crucial care to vulnerable women, serving as a replicable model to combat maternal and neonatal mortality. HMBC also trains students and nurses, strengthening local midwifery capacity. Simultaneously, she established a private midwife practice and champions improved birthing culture. Recognizing her leadership potential, Sister Lilian mentored her, leading to her appointment as General Manager in 2019. Now, Margreet amplifies her impact, advocating for women and the midwifery profession on national and international platforms, driving positive change in maternal healthcare.
Gabogotle Monnane
Topic: Spiritual Care In Midwifery
Gabogotle Monnane, an Independent Private Practitioner and Specialist Midwife and Neonatologist, will be presenting on Spiritual Care in Midwifery. She is also a Certified Sensitive Midwife.
Tracy Rawlins
Topic: Integrating a Palliative Care Framework in Perinatal Care in the Face of Uncertainty
Tracy Rawlins is a qualified professional nurse, midwife, and health educator with a deep commitment to supporting families during challenging life journeys. Her early experience caring for terminally ill patients in her community laid the foundation for her qualification in adult palliative care. However, her heart has always been dedicated to working with babies and children. In 2017, she earned her postgraduate diploma in Paediatric Palliative Care Medicine with distinction.
As the Education and Training Manager at PatchSA, Tracy is an instructional designer and facilitator for the Patch Academy online courses, where she develops and delivers education on pediatric and perinatal palliative care. Recently, she has become a strong advocate for perinatal palliative care, hosting workshops to equip healthcare providers with the tools to support families facing the complex realities of life-limiting conditions, stillbirth, and early neonatal loss. Tracy is also a member of the writing team for the Bettercare book Perinatal Palliative Care: A Guide to Supporting Families When a Baby Is at High Risk of Dying Before or Shortly After Birth, contributing her expertise to this essential resource for healthcare providers and caregivers.
Morongwa Kanyane
Topic: Postpartum Women’s Perspectives on Birthing Positions in Mmakau Village, South Africa
Morongwa Kanyane is a registered nurse, midwife, and post-basic midwifery specialist with 23 years of experience in a public hospital setting. She is currently engaged at the Adelaide Tambo School of Nursing Science, Tshwane University of Technology (TUT). Morongwa is passionate about assisting women with natural childbirth and believes in empowering families to make informed choices. She is an advocate for sensitive, evidence-based, and compassionate midwifery care, with a particular interest in traditional birthing positions during labour—an area she explored for her master’s degree. She is now developing a concept paper for a program aimed at helping midwives incorporate traditional delivery positions into modern birth unit environments, as part of the early stages of her PhD study proposal.
Stephni Coetzee
Topic: The interconnectedness of labor hormones, emotions, and the central nervous system
Stephni graduated from the University of Pretoria in 2016 with a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing, specialising in community nursing, psychiatric nursing, and midwifery. She gained experience at Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital, where she navigated high-risk and high-pressure situations. She was later introduced to the concept of a private midwife at Genesis Maternity Clinic, where she was able to fully embrace her passion by facilitating physiological births for low-risk women. This experience opened a new world for her, including water births, birthing in different positions, utilising essential oils and other unmedicated pain relief methods, and empowering women to trust their bodies in the birthing process.
Lizane Füzy
Topic: Adolescent Childbirth Experiences and the Need for Age-Specific Care: A Qualitative Review
Lizane Füzy is a professional nurse, qualified midwife, and dedicated advocate for maternal health and education. She holds a Bachelor of Nursing (BCur) degree from the University of Johannesburg (2010), a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Cape Town (2016), and a Master of Business Administration from Stellenbosch University (2017). Her multidisciplinary expertise bridges clinical practice and strategic leadership.
Although well-versed in public and private sectors, Lizane spent much of her career in the public healthcare sector, where she encountered the unique challenges faced by adolescent mothers, particularly in navigating stigma, lack of tailored care, and systemic gaps in support. This experience sparked her passion for understanding adolescent childbirth experience and improving outcomes through age-specific care. Her initial research on this topic was presented at the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) Congress in Bali in 2021. Building on this foundation, Lizane conducted a systematic review to identify critical elements of age-specific care, aiming to establish a robust model for future interventions.
Currently, Lizane is the founder and driving force behind Midwife Online, a platform focused on delivering online antenatal education to first-time parents. Since 2024, she has expanded her reach through a YouTube channel and in-person workshops, combining digital innovation with hands-on support. She is also the author of a growing series of guides for parents, including Frequently Asked Questions of First-Time Moms During Pregnancy and Birth, Newborn 101 Survival Guide, and The Ultimate Dad Guide to Birth and Newborn Care.
Lizane’s work embodies her commitment to empowering parents, addressing gaps in maternal care, and fostering trust between healthcare providers and families. Her efforts aim to equip parents with the knowledge and confidence they need for a positive and confident journey through pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood.
Princess Motsoagae
Topic: Bridging Fertility and Birth
Princess Motsoagae is a young Fertility Nurse and Midwife who is compassionate and dedicated to supporting individuals and families on their journeys toward parenthood. With a deep understanding of reproductive health and maternal care, she bridges the gap between science and personalized support, empowering her patients to navigate fertility challenges and embrace the joys of childbirth. She is currently working at a fertility clinic and practices in a low risk maternity unit where she took on the challenge of a small department of nursing in women’s health and fertility. This has made her understand the challenges in facilitating women to fall pregnant and provide support until the precious moment of carrying their newborn.
Her passion for mother and child health led her to exploring fertility nursing, gaining expertise in advanced reproductive technologies, including in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and other assisted reproductive treatments. Recognizing the holistic nature of family-building, Princess is further pursuing her qualifications in Masters In Nursing Sciences. Princess is also part of a volunteer program, ‘Nurses with Purpose’ where she gives back to those from underprivileged communities and backgrounds. This dual expertise enables her to provide comprehensive care throughout conception, pregnancy, and childbirth.
Mxolisi Ngwenya
Topic: Leveraging Digital Triage to Enhance Access in Obstetric Emergencies in the Maternity Units: A Scoping Review of Digital Triage Interventions in Healthcare
Mr. Mxolisi Ngwenya, with extensive experience in midwifery and obstetric high care, holds a master’s degree in nursing from the University of Limpopo and is currently a junior research fellow and PhD candidate at the same institution. His research interests focus on midwifery, women’s health, digital health, and mental health, with six publications published in international journals in these areas. Mr. Ngwenya is actively involved in research projects that highlight the importance of digital health in improving patient care, particularly for women with high-risk conditions like hypertensive disorders during pregnancy. He is developing a digital midwife-led triage system aimed at enhancing midwifery practices by involving end-users in the design process to ensure the effectiveness of digital interventions.
Anna Le Grange
Topic: Transform the First 48 Hours After Birth with Mindful Breastfeeding
Anna Le Grange is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, Positive Psychologist, Registered Paediatric Nurse, Mindfulness teacher and Author. She has worked with new families for over 20 years in a variety of clinical and community settings. Anna brings her passion for psychology, neuroscience and mindfulness into her lactation support work and teaches parents and professionals how they incorporate emotional well-being tools into their own lactation practice.
Mother to 3 children, Anna breastfed her 3rd child following breast reduction surgery and experienced first-hand, the emotional challenges that so often relate to infant feeding complexities. She used her personal experiences alongside mindfulness and lactation knowledge, to create a toolbox of techniques for breastfeeding families, which she includes in her courses and book, The Mindful Breastfeeding Book. Anna believes whole-heartedly in prioritising calm and connection within our breastfeeding support practices, both for our clients and ourselves.
A regular speaker for Gold Lactation, Anna moved to Cape Town, South Africa in 2022 from the UK with her husband, 3 children and 2 dogs. In her spare time she loves beach walks, yoga and family get-togethers.
Londekile Ntsiba
Topic: From Crisis to Innovation – A Midwife’s Journey to Leadership and Advocacy
Londekile Ntsiba is a dedicated midwife and childbirth educator with over a decade of experience in both the public and private healthcare sectors. A graduate of Ann Latsky Nursing College, she further advanced her expertise by completing post-basic qualifications in Nursing Education and Nursing Administration through the University of South Africa.
Londekile served as a Maternity Unit Manager for five years, during which she not only provided outstanding care and patient advocacy but also mentored colleagues, helping them grow into leadership roles within the midwifery and nursing fraternity. Her commitment to professional growth and excellence was recognized when she was named one of the Great 100 Nurses by Life Healthcare, a prestigious honor out of thousands of nurses within the organization.
In recent years, Londekile took a bold step into independent practice, inspired after speaking at the SANULAC Symposium. This move has allowed her to expand her impact as a childbirth educator and advisor. She collaborates with Vital Baby, a leading parenting brand, where she hosts pregnancy workshops and creates educational content. Additionally, she has gained national recognition, appearing on prime-time South African television the Expresso show during Breastfeeding Awareness Week and contributing content for Women’s Health South Africa to promote breastfeeding awareness.
“My entrepreneurial and innovative spirit shines through in my work on an innovative solution for maternal care” She co-founded a company poised for growth in 2024, with its flagship product being the TNL Innovations Silicone CTG Belt. This product reflects her commitment to improving maternal care through innovative solutions.
Londekile is also a lifestyle and parenting writer for the online publication Showbiz Scope, where she shares insights and advice to support parents and families. “Through my multifaceted career, I remain passionate about empowering parents, reducing maternal and neonatal mortality, and cultivating a culture of empowered birth and informed parenting regardless of social or economic standing”
Gabrielle Kenyon-Slade
Topic: A Gentle Introduction to Pelvic Floor Healing and the Non-Invasive Technology Supporting Women’s Wellness.
Gabrielle Simone Kenyon-Slade is the co-founder of Synkro Health, a women-owned wellness company based in Stellenbosch, created alongside her sister, Alanah. Together, this dynamic sister duo launched Synkro with a powerful mission: to make holistic, non-invasive, and preventative healthcare solutions accessible for all women—through every season of womanhood.
Their mission is rooted in breaking the silence around pelvic and sexual health—topics too often overlooked or taboo—while creating space for education, awareness, and healing. Synkro Health’s cornerstone offering is a pelvic floor therapy chair that uses electromagnetic stimulation to strengthen and restore the pelvic floor, supporting everything from postnatal recovery, menopause, and prolapse to incontinence, core stability, sexual wellness, and emotional resilience. While this technology is newly arrived in South Africa it is a life-changing tool.
Through this journey, Gabrielle and her sister found renewed connection to womanhood and emotional well-being—and felt compelled to share that gift with others.
Gabrielle is part of a growing movement to redefine women’s wellness—helping women reconnect with their bodies, restore balance, and access their full vitality without shame, fear, or invasive solutions.
Joseph Williamson
Topic: Expanding Horizons: “New Skills for Transformative Care”
Joseph Williamson has over a decade of experience in international healthcare consulting, education, and training. He is a graduate of Sandford Brown University in the United States and holds advanced medical degrees in Acoustic Physics, Maternal-Fetal Diagnostic Imaging and a Bachelor of Medical Sciences in Fetal Cardiology. He has completed fellowships in Fetal Cardiology at the Chicago Pediatric Hospital and Tuffs University Hospital in Boston. His primary focus is with Hospital Groups in Africa and the Caribbean, evaluating clinical gaps in protocols and assessing medical educational needs.
He designs and develops educational strategic learning programs tailored to improving early diagnosis and management of maternal-fetal health issues and diagnostic medical imaging.
He is also known for his exceptional patient experience seminars tailored to international medical departments using the “Patient Centered Care” model. His expertise is in implementing strategies to help organizations attain high patient satisfaction scores and above average employee engagement, while containing costs and collaborating effectively with medical partners.
Kgomotso Mathope
Topic: Mentorship Needs in an Intrapartum Setting: A Mentor-Centred Approach
Kgomotso Mathope is a professional nurse, nurse educator and an advanced midwife currently employed at the Mahikeng campus of the North-West University as a midwifery lecturer for the third years. After qualifying as a professional nurse, she completed her community service at the Zeerust sub-district in the North West Province where she continued to work until 2015 when she moved back to Mahikeng and worked at the Clinix Victoria Private Hospital as a midwife in the maternity unit. Thereafter, she joined the North-West University on the Potchefstroom campus as a clinical preceptor. In 2022, she joined the North-West College of Nursing as a lecturer until the beginning of 2023 when she joined the North-West University Mahikeng Campus. Her qualifications include a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing, a post-basic diploma in midwifery and neonatal nursing science, a postgraduate diploma in health sciences education and a Master’s degree in Nursing. She is currently busy with her PhD. Her research focus is nursing education, midwifery and mentorship in midwifery. She has published one article from her Master’s degree.
Dr Gauri Lowe
Topic: The Neonate – Foundations for Thriving
Dr Gauri Lowe is a medical doctor with over 20 years of experience in women’s health, maternity care, and general practice. Her career spans both private and public healthcare settings in South Africa and India, where she has provided holistic and integrative care to women through all life stages.
With a deep passion for respectful and physiological birth, she has supported women in homebirths and community-based maternity care, ensuring compassionate, evidence-based support from pregnancy through postpartum. Alongside her clinical work, Dr Lowe has taught and mentored midwifery and medical students, developing courses in women’s health, nutrition, and maternity care. She continues to consult as a GP, integrating functional medicine and mind-body wellness into her practice.
Dr Lowe is a regular speaker at conferences, including Sensitive Midwifery, where she shares her expertise in gentle, responsive newborn care and the foundational needs of the neonate to thrive.