Ad copy

Inspired by the nurses she saw in her community as a child, Lebeko went on to become one herself. When Mediclinic was recognised for the third time as a Top Employer in 2026, it was yet another nod to the people who show up every day and contribute to the company’s strong reputation, particularly the nurses who work tirelessly delivering care to patients. Lebeko Maake is one such nurse. She qualified to be a midwife after completing a B.Cur Honours Degree in Nursing from the University of Limpopo. Today, she is the Unit Manager of the Obstetric Unit at Mediclinic Tzaneen. Growing up, Lebeko admired the nurses she saw within her community, and every visit to the hospital or clinic reinforced the idea that nursing was her calling. “I knew that’s what I wanted to do with my life, helping people in need and making a difference in someone’s life.” During her third year in university, Lebeko was exposed to midwifery for the first time. To this day, witnessing her first delivery remains a defining moment in her career. Although she describes the experience as nerve-wracking, she was fascinated by the confidence of the midwife, hearing the baby’s first cry, and the mother’s visible relief after the final push. As a self-proclaimed adrenaline junkie, this entire scene sparked something in Lebeko, and that’s how her path to being a midwife began. As someone who thrives in a high-pressure environment, Lebeko felt at home in the unpredictable world of the maternity ward. Since in obstetric care, no two shifts are the same. “You are often dealing with emergencies and must anticipate complications at any moment.” And when the unpredictable does occur, remaining cognisant of how confusing the chaos can be to the patient is always at the forefront of her mind. “It’s important to remember the humane care element when dealing with obstetric emergencies, while it’s equally important to manage the actual emergency. What I do and what I teach the staff is to reassure the mother and explain as much as possible about what is happening, what you are doing and what you expect them to do. By doing this, you get full cooperation from the mother. When fathers need to leave the room in an emergency, I also do my best to keep them up to date.” This kind of transparency goes a long way in building trust and fostering cooperation from parents during emergencies. “Being a successful midwife should be reflected by the outcomes of your obstetric care, rendering safe patient care and following your instinct while being an advocate for your patients. I feel fulfilled each day knowing I did my best and that all mothers safely delivered their newborns.” But the work doesn’t end with delivery. As a midwife, Lebeko is often there to guide and support moms as they begin their journey into motherhood. “The best support I give to mothers is being available for them and supporting them through their journey, especially first-time mothers. Assisting them throughout their labour process with pain management and pain relief techniques, assisting them with breastfeeding, showing them how to care for themselves post-delivery and creating a safe environment for both mother and baby, where they can ask questions and assistance.” The times Lebeko has successfully managed complications during or after birth have created some of her favourite moments in her career. “Each time I successfully manage a complication or have a successful neonatal resuscitation, I’m reminded why I chose maternity. Knowing that a newborn or a mother could have been harmed, but that we worked as a team to keep them safe.” Looking ahead, Lebeko is quite optimistic about the future of obstetric care. “I’m excited about the new technologies that are being implemented and that are still coming, making things easier for midwives and the patients and improving obstetric outcomes, which reduce the rate of maternal and neonatal mortality in our country.” Lebeko is truly an embodiment of the kind of compassion, experience and innovation you’ll find at Mediclinic.