15 May 2025

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The Independent Midwives Association Lesotho (IMAL) has awarded Karabo Lelimo the title of Best Midwife Performer for Qacha’s Nek. Lelimo, 30, received the honour during the International Day of Midwives commemoration held on May 8, 2025, in Nazareth.

This award recognises Lelimo’s outstanding dedication to maternal health in one of Lesotho’s most remote and challenging locations—Lebakeng Health Centre in Qacha’s Nek. Reaching the centre from the capital, Maseru, takes approximately seven hours, and some patients must cross the Senqu River by boat using a wooden board just to access essential services like maternal care. No vehicle has ever reached the facility. 

In this exclusive interview with Uncensored News Senior Health Journalist Limpho Sello, Lelimo shares his journey into midwifery, the challenges and rewards of working in isolation, and the moments that have profoundly shaped his career.

Uncensored: Please tell us who Karabo Lelimo is.

Lelimo: My name is Karabo Lelimo. I was born and raised in Ha Makhaketsa, Peka, in the Leribe district, where I completed both my primary and high school education. In 2014, I enrolled at Maluti Adventist College for a Diploma in General Nursing and Midwifery. Later, in 2021, I joined the National University of Lesotho (NUL) to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing, specialising in Nursing Management and Community Health.

I am a sociable person who believes in the power of human connection. My values and moral compass are grounded in my deep faith in God, which continues to shape both my personal life and professional practice.

Uncensored: Why did you choose nursing as a career—specifically, midwifery?

Lelimo: Interestingly, nursing was not my childhood dream. I was passionate about technical fields, especially electronics, and aspired to be an engineer. In 2013, when I had to make a career choice, I was uncertain. My sisters, who are teachers, encouraged me to follow their path, but I hesitated. I even applied to technical institutions and got accepted, but when time for enrolment came, I just could not go through with it.

That year, I chose not to pursue any studies, which disappointed my parents. My father, in frustration, relieved our family shepherd of his duties and gave me the responsibility of looking after our livestock. During that unexpected pause, everything changed. 

One November afternoon, I walked into a room where the television was showing a programme called Ntataise on Lesotho Television. It featured interviews with students from Paray School of Nursing. Something clicked inside me. 

Soon after, my grandfather returned from eye surgery at Queen ‘Mamohato Memorial Hospital. I helped him with his medication, and every time he called me, I felt genuinely fulfilled. That simple act awakened in me a deep desire to care for others.

At the start of the new year, I applied to all nursing schools in Lesotho. Maluti Adventist College responded first, and I took that as a sign. That’s how my journey in nursing and midwifery began.

Uncensored: When did you start practising, and how was the reception from clients?

Lelimo: I began practising midwifery in August 2018 as a volunteer at Berea Hospital. In October that year, I moved to a private hospital in Maseru, which exposed me to a new level of clinical and ethical expectations. Then, in August 2019, I joined Lebakeng Health Centre, where I have been serving ever since.

Coming from a Christian Health Association of Lesotho (CHAL)-affiliated institution, I was prepared for the emotional and ethical demands of the profession. I learned to view patients holistically—not just as clinical cases, but as people with emotions, fears, and dignity. That foundation has always helped me serve with compassion.

Initially, there was skepticism—especially in the private sector—because I am a male midwife. Clients there are often more informed and assertive. But I embraced the challenge and earned their trust through professionalism and respect. At Lebakeng, the clients are often illiterate and underserved, but they are humble and welcoming. They had never experienced the kind of care marked by respect and empathy. So, when they did, they embraced me fully—not just as a caregiver but as someone they could trust.

Uncensored: Have you ever had a moment in your career that you will never forget?

Lelimo: Yes, I will never forget one moment in 2022. It was around 4 a.m. when a village health worker called me. A woman was in labour, and they were on their way to the clinic, but she couldn’t walk or ride anymore. It was cold, rainy, and winter.

I knew they wouldn’t make it in time. I prepared for an emergency delivery and went to meet them halfway. I found a horse and rode into the darkness and rain. Just as I met them, it was time for the woman to push. We took shelter under a ‘cheche’ bush. I successfully delivered a healthy baby boy right there in the wild. It was terrifying—wet, cold, and uncertain—but also one of the most fulfilling experiences of my career.

Uncensored: Take us through your journey in midwifery—the challenges and the joys.

Lelimo: In the early days of my career, working in hospitals was less challenging because of the team-based environment. There was always someone to consult. But everything changed when I joined Lebakeng Health Centre in 2019.

Lebakeng is extremely remote—no vehicle has ever reached the facility. Emergency referrals depend on weather conditions and are only possible during daylight. Sometimes the river floods, or planes can’t land. In such moments, you become your own support system. There is no room for second-guessing.

Despite these challenges, there is a golden side to midwifery: walking with a woman from antenatal care to childbirth and postnatal care. It’s a miracle every time. The pain of labour, the first cry of the newborn—it never stops being magical. Science can explain it, but the sacredness of birth remains a mystery.

Uncensored: What would you say to women who avoid antenatal care (ANC)?

Lelimo: ANC is not a formality—it’s a lifeline. It can mean the difference between a safe delivery and a tragedy. It allows us to detect danger signs, prevent complications, and provide essential health education. In remote areas like Lebakeng, skipping ANC can be fatal. We do not have hospitals around the corner. If complications arise, we may not be able to evacuate in time. 

I understand that some women avoid ANC due to cultural beliefs or travel difficulties, but often, they simply do not know the risks. That’s why I prioritise education and trust-building. To every woman: Your life matters. Your baby’s life matters. We are here to walk with you.

Uncensored: What is it really like working in a remote area like Lebakeng?

Lelimo: Working in Lebakeng is more than a job—it’s a calling. No car has ever reached the village. We rely on Mercy Air or boats, and only when the river or weather allows. Supplies are scarce, communication is unreliable, and referrals are uncertain. 

But still, I choose to stay—because I believe in people. The people of Lebakeng may live far from the cities, but they have dreams and families just like everyone else. They deserve dignity and quality care. And I have made it my mission to deliver that care, no matter how isolated the area.

What keeps me going is not money or recognition—it’s the genuine gratitude of a mother who trusted me with her life and that of her child.

Uncensored: You received the Best Midwife Performer award on Friday—how did that moment feel for you?

Lelimo: Receiving that award was an honour and a humbling experience. I never expected to be recognised by the International Midwifery Organisation of Lesotho—especially not from a place as remote as Lebakeng.

When the Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) mentor and Public Health Nurse (PHN) and District Health Management Team (DHMT) nominated me, I was surprised. I have always viewed my work as quiet service, done out of love. This recognition affirmed that our efforts, even in the mountains, matter. It reminded me that impact doesn’t depend on visibility. It depends on the heart you put into your work. 

This award is not just for me—it’s for the people of Lebakeng and every health worker in hard-to-reach areas who wonders whether their efforts are seen. They are.

Uncensored: How did the community in Lebakeng initially react to seeing a male midwife—were there any challenges or surprises?

Lelimo: Many might assume that being a male midwife in a multicultural, largely illiterate community like Lebakeng—home to both Basotho and Bathepu (Xhosa-speaking people)—would be difficult. But my experience has been the opposite.

People observe you closely at first. But once they see that you are professional, respectful, and genuinely there to serve, they open up. Trust is universal—it’s not about gender. It’s about integrity, humility, and care.