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Vroedvrou - a documentary from UP
This study brings together an interdisciplinary approach by looking at Indigenous Knowledge Systems, Healthcare and cultural preservation by focusing on midwifery practices in the Richtersveld in the Northern Cape, South Africa. As an extension of the work conducted with the film Vroedvrou (2023) by Siona O’Connell and Loretta Feris, this research not only aims to document and preserve this valuable knowledge but also to explore ways to integrate it into modern healthcare systems, ultimately improving maternal and child health outcomes while respecting and honouring the rich cultural heritage of the Northern Cape’s indigenous communities. Midwifery has played a crucial role in the Richtersveld, where traditional birth attendants have been responsible for providing prenatal, childbirth, and postnatal care to the local population. These traditional birth attendants, often women with extensive knowledge of indigenous medicinal plants and birthing techniques, have worked to ensure the health and wellbeing of mothers and infants in the region. Midwifery practices in the Richtersveld are deeply rooted in the region’s cultural heritage and traditional healing modalities. Independent midwives in South Africa, including those serving the Richtersveld, often maintain dual roles as both registered nurses and traditional healers, blending Western and indigenous approaches to prenatal, birthing, and postnatal care. These midwives play a vital role in addressing the high maternal and neonatal mortality rates that persist in many parts of the country, particularly in underserved public healthcare facilities.
Watch a shortened version of the documentary here