A pioneer in the prevention of maternal and infant mortality, particularly within the working-class community, St. Monica’s Home was one of the first maternity homes in South Africa to open its doors to mothers of all races regardless of marital status. This website provides a brief window into the unique history of this home, using it as a prism through which to better understand motherhood and its perils in twentieth century Cape Town. The information presented here forms part of a larger research project focusing on the establishment and operation of philanthropic maternity homes in pre-apartheid South Africa. 

In South Africa, as elsewhere, the battle for reproductive rights was hard fought and these rights remain contentious amongst certain segments of the population. Click here for a timeline exploring the political and legal backdrop against which the events discussed in this retrospective occurred.  

This retrospective is based on sources that reveal information about the lives of women who might have been uncomfortable at the prospect of becoming historical subjects. As a result, full names and other personal details (e.g. age, height etc.) have not been included. All of the material used in this retrospective is courtesy of the University of the Witwatersrand Historical Papers Archive. 

Most of the photo’s included in this retrospective were taken between 1930 and 1950. Dates have not been included the captions because many of the photo’s were re-used in various reports and so cannot be precisely dated.  

Follow on the link below to hear an in-depth conversation with the primary researcher.