Advanced midwifery specialist and midwifery lecturer in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Pretoria Dr Maurine Rofhiwa Musie is currently the youngest recipient of a doctorate in the Department of Nursing Science.

Her PhD dissertation, entitled ‘Developing a framework for collaboration between midwives and indigenous midwives for maternal and childcare services in South Africa’, examined the state of care in the country.

She worked under supervisors Professor Mavis Mulaudzi, the SARChI Chair in Ubuntu Community Model of Nursing, intensive nursing care specialist Dr Varshika Bhana-Pema and postdoctoral research fellow Dr Rafiat Anokwuru.

“I embarked on my PhD journey between 2021-2023 during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, I managed to complete my PhD study in record time,” said Dr Musie.

The 30-year-old graduated on 13 May 2023. Her PhD studies were funded thanks to a grant from the National Research Foundation’s (NRF) Black Academics Advancement Programme (BAAP).

“The grant assisted and gave me the opportunity to take six months’ sabbatical leave and focus on my research study. Furthermore, this achievement of my PhD means a step in the right direction in pursuit of development and growth within the academic profession and in my research career.

First black African student to obtain a cum laude pass in Bachelor of Nursing Science

“As a young professional, one of my goals and aspirations is to become a professor, a well-rounded expert, and an established researcher within the field of maternal and child healthcare,” she said.

Born in a small village Ngovhela in Venda, Limpopo province, Dr Musie was raised in Katlehong in the East Rand,  attending Laerskool Germiston Primary and later Germiston High School.

“As a child, I was always sick and saw the general practitioner most of the time, and that is where my passion for caring took shape. During consultations with the doctor, I always told myself that I had been brought to this earth to care for others. After finishing school in 2011, I applied to study nursing,” she said.

In 2015, she became the first black African student to obtain a cum laude pass in Bachelor of Nursing Science. Afterwards, she received her Master's in Advanced Midwifery and Neonatal Science in 2018 at the University of Pretoria.

She said that obtaining the PhD has already assisted her growth in the field of research expertise, where she is currently supervising 12 master’s students. It was a proud moment when two of her students graduated in May 2023.

Dr Musie said she is pleased that the findings of her study would contribute to the new body of knowledge in the field that she is passionate about.

Building professional and international networks

Emanating from the PhD study is an article she published in the International Journal of Reproductive Medicine on one of the study's objectives, and another report was submitted for publication.

Among her accomplishments, one can also add the title of author after she published a chapter in a book entitled Working with Indigenous Knowledge. In recognition of her remarkable contribution, in 2021, UP gave her an Emergent Research Excellence Award.

Following her studies, Dr Musie presented her findings at the University of Pretoria Faculty Day on 23 August 2022. The results were also disseminated at the SDG 2nd Biennial conference held by the University of Venda on 21 to 23 September 2022.

She also made an oral presentation at the FUNDISA conference between 5 and 7 December 2022. The findings were also presented at the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) conference held recently between 11 and 14 June 2023.

Dr Musie said the PhD study will assist in building professional and international networks.

She was also allowed to be part of the National Department of Health (DoH) in the Gauteng Province team contributing to the writing of the Community Maternal and Child guidelines, specifically on the roles of traditional birth attendants, also known as indigenous midwives for maternity care in South Africa.

Support and mentorship

“The PhD journey was not easy as it requires commitment and putting in 110% effort so that one may complete it on time. As an academic, a researcher, mother, and wife, I had to make sacrifices and stay at work until 20: 00 and come to the office on weekends so that I could work on my studies.”

Dr Musie said she wouldn’t have made it without the support of her husband and mother, who took care of her baby during her studies.

One of the lows while studying for her doctorate was losing her grandmother, who succumbed to illness in 2021 ­– more personal challenges followed in 2022 when Dr Musie was involved in an accident.

“Despite the challenges encountered, by the grace of God, I managed to conquer. On the bright side, I was also blessed with a beautiful baby daughter named Murunwa, which means Angel. She has become our guardian angel in times of distress.”

At her UP academic home, she thanked Professor Mavis Mulaudzi, who mentored and supervised her throughout her PhD journey. “I would also like to thank the head of the nursing department for allowing me to pursue my studies.”

Her goal is to contribute to new knowledge and help shape the state of patient care in the 21st century by also contributing to policy development.

Dr Musie said her motto was simple and based on the inspiring words of legendary author Maya Angelou: “You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. It may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.”