Ubuntu is an African moral philosophy centred on humaneness, interdependence, and mutual respect, offering a culturally rooted approach to improving maternity care. In midwifery, Ubuntu can help promote person-centred practices, enhance communication, build therapeutic relationships, and protect maternal dignity. Understanding how student midwives perceive and apply Ubuntu principles is therefore crucial for improving the quality of care provided to women during childbirth in public health settings.

Purpose: To explore student midwives’ perceptions regarding the significance of applying Ubuntu principles in midwifery practice within the Vhembe District of Limpopo Province, South Africa.

Setting: Three public hospitals in Vhembe District, Limpopo Province, South Africa.

Methods: A qualitative research approach was adopted, utilising exploratory and descriptive research designs. Data were analysed thematically, yielding key themes related to the application and significance of Ubuntu in midwifery care.

Results: Two major themes emerged. The first theme, application of Ubuntu during the provision of midwifery services, revealed both positive and negative experiences. Positive experiences included patient support, teamwork and collegiality, respect for patients, and non-discriminatory practices. Negative experiences comprised shouting at patients by senior midwives, discriminatory treatment based on race and nationality, disrespect toward student midwives, psychological, emotional, and physical abuse of patients, as well as systemic challenges such as staff shortages and poor infrastructure. The second theme, significance of applying Ubuntu principles, highlighted its role in promoting quality care provision through holistic care, patient advocacy by student midwives, and in-service training on Ubuntu principles. It also emphasized the importance of establishing and maintaining trusting relationships between student midwives and patients.

Conclusion: Ubuntu principles play a critical role in shaping both the quality of midwifery care and professional relationships. Strengthening their application may enhance ethical,compassionate, and patient-centred maternal healthcare services.

Nthuseni Tiny Netangaheni (Munzhedzi) is a professional nurse who works at Donald Fraser hospital in Limpopo province Vhembe District. She joined primary care nursing and worked as clinical nurse practitioner at Vhufuli Tshitereke Clinic –William Eddie Local Area, after specializing in primary care nursing. She also holds the certificates in VCT and NIMART training, and acts as coordinator on PMTCT. She developed a passion in maternal and neonatal care. Ubuntu philosophy was her slogan during her provision of her daily service. Her desire in midwifery drove her to join Limpopo college of Nursing as Midwifery Lecturer. Sekhukhune campus: Dilokong Nursing School as an HOD academic and Thohoyandou Campus. She holds a masters degree in nursing where she researched about the experience of student midwives regarding the application of Ubuntu principles during the provision of midwifery services at Limpopo province. As a public health specialist, she believes in the application of Ubuntu to ensure the promotion of health care services. Currently she is working at Ga-Rankuwa Nursing Campus, Gauteng College of Nursing (GCON) as senior lecturer in the midwifery department. Amongst her roles as lecturer: provision of teaching and learning with undergraduate diploma of student midwives is incorporated. Hoping that her desire to strengthen the good application of Ubuntu philosophy during provision of midwifery services, to ensure best outcomes will be accomplished.