“I realised many women needed more than clinical care…”
In a healthcare system often stretched and fast-paced, one midwife is intentionally creating something different – a space where mothers are not only treated, but genuinely cared for.
Freda Makanete, a midwife and maternal healthcare practitioner, is the founder of Ubuntu Mother & Baby Care, a maternal and child health practice built on compassion, dignity, and continuity of care.
“I have always been passionate about women, babies, and family-centred care,” she says. “But over the years of working with mothers, I realised many women needed more than clinical care – they needed support, reassurance, education, and someone to walk the journey with them.”
That realisation became the foundation of Ubuntu Mother & Baby Care: a space designed to support women through pregnancy, birth, and the early stages of motherhood.
A key turning point came from witnessing what many mothers experience within healthcare settings.
“Many mothers felt rushed, unheard, or emotionally unsupported during pregnancy and after giving birth,” Freda explains. “Some left with unanswered questions, anxiety, fear, or loneliness. I realised there was a need for a more compassionate and holistic approach, one that focuses not only on the baby, but also on the emotional, mental, and physical wellbeing of the mother.”
At Ubuntu Mother & Baby Care, that philosophy shapes every part of the experience. The goal is to create an environment where mothers feel safe, calm, and supported from the moment they walk in.
“I wanted Ubuntu Mother & Baby Care to feel warm, safe, peaceful and personal,” she says. “Motherhood can be overwhelming, especially for first-time moms, so I wanted women to feel immediately welcomed – where they can ask questions freely, be vulnerable without judgment, and feel genuinely cared for.”
Beyond clinical care, Freda is also passionate about addressing the emotional realities of motherhood which is something she believes is often overlooked.
“Many people do not talk enough about the emotional adjustment that comes with becoming a mother,” she says. “There is pressure for women to immediately have it together, but the reality is that motherhood can be emotionally overwhelming. Some mothers struggle with anxiety, loneliness, exhaustion, identity changes, guilt, or even depression. Many suffer silently because they are afraid of being judged.”
She believes these conversations must become more open and normalised, especially around maternal mental health and emotional wellbeing.
Freda also highlights ongoing gaps in South Africa’s maternal healthcare system, particularly around access, continuity of care, and emotional support.
“Many women still struggle with delayed access to services, overcrowded facilities, and emotional neglect during pregnancy and postpartum care,” she says. “Another major gap is continuity – care often focuses on delivery, but less on what happens afterwards. Preventative education and emotional support also need far more attention.”
Despite these challenges, the work remains deeply fulfilling. “One of the most rewarding moments is seeing healthy mothers, healthy babies, and confident families leaving our practice feeling empowered,” she says. “It is especially meaningful watching a nervous first-time mother grow in confidence throughout her pregnancy journey. And it is beautiful when families return years later with their next babies.”
However, building a healthcare practice rooted in care also comes with its own emotional and professional demands.
“One of the biggest challenges has been balancing the emotional responsibility of healthcare with the realities of building and sustaining a business,” Freda says. “You carry the emotional weight of mothers and families while also leading and growing a practice. As a woman, there is also the pressure to constantly prove yourself and remain strong through difficult seasons.”
Still, she says these experiences have shaped her leadership and strengthened her purpose.
“They have made me more intentional about why I do this work.”
At the heart of Ubuntu Mother & Baby Care is a simple but powerful belief: that how a mother is treated matters just as much as the medical outcome.
“Compassion and dignity matter because healthcare is about human beings in vulnerable moments,” she says. “A mother will always remember how she was treated during pregnancy or after birth. Even small acts of kindness and reassurance can change someone’s entire experience.”
Looking ahead, Freda hopes Ubuntu Mother & Baby Care will leave a lasting impact far beyond its walls.
“I hope it leaves a legacy of compassionate and respectful maternal healthcare,” she says. “I want future generations of mothers to know they deserve to be supported, heard, and cared for with dignity. I also hope it inspires a new standard of maternal care in South Africa one that combines clinical excellence with humanity, empathy, and community.”
Ultimately, her vision is bigger than one practice.
“I hope Ubuntu becomes a symbol of safe motherhood, empowerment, and hope for families.”
By Sinentlahla Mbokwe