DOSA Community Leaders
Our incredible Community Leaders are doulas who have worked in the industry for a while and are passionate about sharing their experiences to help the community grow and blossom.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
Kefilwe Sibenya
To many, she’s Kefilwe. To others, she’s Mmabotsetse. But to every mother she’s walked alongside, she’s been a steady hand, a reassuring voice, and a reminder that they are never alone.
Based in Pretoria, Kefilwe is a mother, a Certified Birth and Postpartum Doula, and a Newborn Care Specialist—but more than that, she’s a passionate advocate for maternal care that truly sees and honors every mother. She believes that no one should have to navigate birth and postpartum feeling unseen, unheard, or unsupported.
Her heart lies in bridging the gap between modern maternal healthcare and the deeply rooted postpartum traditions that have carried generations of women before us. She understands that birth isn’t just about the medical side of things—it’s about culture, community, and care that extends far beyond the delivery room. That’s why she not only provides private support but also works to establish volunteer doula programs, ensuring that even those in underserved communities receive the care they deserve.
Now, as the Executive Director of Doulas of South Africa (DOSA), Kefilwe is stepping into a role that allows her to do what she does best—holding space for others. She knows firsthand how important it is to see diverse faces and hear diverse voices in the birth world. Representation matters, and she’s here to make sure that every doula, every mother, and every birth story is honored.
For Kefilwe, this work isn’t just a profession—it’s a calling. And whether she’s standing beside a new mother, mentoring fellow doulas, or advocating for systemic change, one thing remains true: she is here to hold, uplift, and walk this journey with you.
Steph Nel
Some people are drawn to birth work because they feel called to support families. For Steph, the calling extends beyond that—she’s here to support the doulas themselves.
Steph knows that the work doulas do is powerful. Holding space for birthing people, standing beside them in their most vulnerable moments, and offering unwavering support—it’s more than a job, it’s a calling. But calling or not, it should also be sustainable. Too often, birth workers pour their hearts into this work only to find themselves drained, undervalued, or struggling to make it viable as a long-term career.
That’s where Steph comes in. With a deep love for both the art of birth work and the doulas who do it, she is committed to making sure doulas don’t just survive in this profession—they thrive. Through mentorship, advocacy, and building strong, supportive networks, she’s working to shift the narrative. Doulas deserve fair pay, real business support, and a community that holds them up as much as they hold others.
As part of Doulas of South Africa (DOSA), Steph is focused on creating spaces where doulas feel empowered, not just in birth rooms, but in their careers. Because sustainable birth work doesn’t just mean supporting families—it means making sure the ones doing the supporting are taken care of too.
Steph is here to help doulas build something lasting. Something strong. Something that allows them to do this work for years to come—without burning out, without sacrificing their worth, and without ever feeling alone.