As the Sister-in-Charge of Khayelitsha’s Site B Midwife Obstetric Unit’s Antenatal Clinic and PMTCT Coordinator, Nosiphiwo Ntshanga has been closely linked to prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) services since they were first rolled out. As a clinician, she witnessed the entrenched stigma preventing pregnant women and new mothers from talking openly about their status. Standing by the belief that knowledge is power, Nosiphiwo and her colleagues decided that support groups were the most effective means of reaching these women.

Through mothers2mothers, Nosiphiwo educates newly diagnosed HIV-positive women. She gets much satisfaction from seeing them gain strength from the support they receive from other mothers. m2m’s support groups have grown in number and continue to develop new strategies that empower women emotionally and economically.

Nosiphiwo is currently a National Trainer with mothers2mothers.  Her motto is “You teach the women, you teach the nation”. She has learned to use a computer, drive a car and use education as a tool to empower other women.

Nosiphiwo holds a Diploma in Nursing Science and Arts from the Baragwanath Hospital School of Nursing in Johannesburg, a Diploma in Midwifery and a National Higher Diploma in Community Nursing.