About The Postpartum Academy South Africa

The idea came from my own experience of kraamzorg in the Netherlands. After both of my daughters were born, a trained professional came into our home during that first week and supported us through the transition into life with a newborn. 

Someone was there to tell me what was normal when I was worrying about something that felt wrong. Someone checked that I was recovering well, helped with breastfeeding, guided us with our newborn and knew what to look out for when something wasn't quite right. They could identify things like signs of postpartum depression and concerns with the baby's weight or jaundice. And when we were unsure about something, we didn't have to pack up a newborn and leave the house to see a paediatrician.

It made me realise just how valuable this kind of support is.

South Africa has a long history of caring for mothers in the postpartum period, often through family and cultural traditions. But in many communities, that support isn't as available or as consistent as it once was. And the need hasn't gone away. I hear too many stories of mothers struggling through those first days without the right support — trying to establish breastfeeding, recovering from a C-section or other birth, figuring out their newborn, and wondering whether what they're experiencing is actually normal.

And while many people are already stepping in to help, there is a gap: too often, people are doing this work without formal training.

That's where the Postpartum Academy comes in.

As a qualified teacher, mother of two and founder of Ubuntu Mama, I bring together my experience as an educator, my own experience of postpartum care, and over nine years of working in tech and building digital marketplaces. The Academy is a natural extension of Ubuntu Mama — helping us grow the number of trained care providers, expand access to training, and ensure the quality of care mothers receive.

Jacky is our first educator, bringing decades of experience to our first formal training: the Postpartum Care Provider course. Together, we're building a foundation for high-quality education, practical experience and ongoing support for the people who will care for mothers.

We’re shaping the future of postpartum care in South Africa, one trained care provider at a time. Will you join us?

Munawwar 
Founder of The Postpartum Academy South Africa