19/05/2026
“That moment the mother meets the baby for the first time, it's pure human magic”
Determined to become a nurse despite facing resistance from her family, Elsie Maname, Midwife and Unit Manager at Mediclinic Legae, began studying to become a nurse in 2004. Her journey with basic nursing training started at Healthnicon Nursing College, later qualifying as an Auxiliary Nurse through Thuto Bophelo Nursing College in 2007. The end goal was always working in the maternity ward.
Her love for midwifery began long before she qualified. As an auxiliary nurse, she would intentionally pass by the maternity unit just to witness births. “I had to rotate through different departments (Mental health clinic, Chronic, TB and HIV clinic, casualty and maternity), my interest has always been in maternity, and I eventually worked there after a year of rotation. Having been in maternity, I managed obstetric emergencies beyond measure to an extent that the new facility manager encouraged me to apply for study leave to study Post Basic Diploma in Midwifery and Neonatal Nursing Science (Advanced Midwifery).”
Currently, Elsie is studying towards an Advanced Diploma in Health Service Management and Leadership with Mediclinic to grow further in management.
“I would describe my work as a calling, not just a job. I find meaning in supporting people during their most vulnerable and life-changing moments,” Elsie says.
For Elsie, being a successful midwife is about building a connection, a sense of trust and reaching patients at an emotional level. “You need to have clear communication skills, so mothers can relax when they are in your presence, so that families listen to your guidance, and you’re known as someone who makes others feel safe. Basically, your reputation speaks before you do.”
She knows it’s been a successful day at the maternity ward when she hears women say things like: “You made my birth experience better” or “You helped me when I was scared.”
“Supporting mothers both emotionally and physically, it’s all about your presence, your words, understanding and reassurance. A mother who feels emotionally safe will labour better, bond better with the baby and recover better. Building trust from the start, introducing yourself, and building that rapport allows the mother to express her fears and receive reassurance. Use simple language with her and do not forget to tell her that “you are doing well, I’m here with you.” Involve the mother in decision-making, respect her cultural and personal preferences, protect her privacy and dignity. Help her partner or chosen companion to be involved, guide them on how to support the mother, and she will feel that she is surrounded by care.”
To create an inclusive and calm environment in the moments leading up to the birth, Elsie knows that mothers and their families often look to her to gauge how calm or panicked they should feel; something she always keeps in mind when engaging with her patients. Knowing that a little reassurance can go a long way in a challenging situation.
“Balancing urgency with empathy during labour and delivery is one of the most important and hardest skills in midwifery. I prepare early so that an emergency feels less chaotic. Explain the procedure in advance: “If your baby shows distress, this is what we will do”. When the mother understands what to expect, she is less fearful, and when you need to move quickly, she trusts your guidance. Your body language as a midwife becomes her emotional barometer. I stay calm because it tells her she is not in danger, even though there are clinical difficulties. I maintain dignity even in emergencies. I speak to the mother, not about her, so that she feels like a person, not an object. I use a team approach to maintain balance and divide roles for a good outcome. After the emergency, I offer emotional closure for the mother and companion to explain what happened to prevent trauma and to build trust in the healthcare system.”
Early on in her career, Elsie recognised that the atmosphere in the room is often determined by the midwife, and she quickly developed a philosophy that still guides her to this day.
“A great midwife knows how to move fast without appearing rushed. How to act clinically without acting cold. How to protect life while protecting dignity, and I save the moment without losing the person. It’s a skill built from experience and heart.”
Particularly concerned about reducing trauma during and after pregnancy, Elsie is excited about how technology is shaping maternity care, from AI-driven tools that can predict complications such as preeclampsia to advanced perinatal monitoring systems that support early detection of foetal distress.
