La Leche League South Africa, a volunteer-run non-profit organisation (NPO) providing mother-to-mother breastfeeding support, education and information, recently held its annual general meeting (AGM) and volunteer upskilling workshops at the Nine Oaks conference venue in Paarl.

Seventy years of mother-to-mother support

The AGM and workshop coincided with a historic milestone — the first La Leche League International support meeting took place 70 years ago on 17 October 1956, convened by the seven founding mothers of the organisation. Marian Tompson, the last surviving founding mother, is 96 years old and remains active in supporting the breastfeeding community worldwide, the NPO said.

Leaders gather from across the country and beyond

Trained support group leaders travelled from across South Africa, as well as Germany to attend the three-day weekend. The gathering brought together women united by a common passion for helping mothers breastfeed with confidence through encouragement and shared experience, the NPO said.

The AGM programme included presentations on the organisation’s achievements over the past financial year (1 April 2025-31 March 2026), along with enrichment sessions featuring international guest speakers and breastfeeding experts.

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Volunteers honoured for decades of service

La Leche League South Africa, with offices also based in Bothasig, has 70 volunteers supporting mothers across Southern Africa through in-person support meetings, online support and telephonic help. Long-serving volunteers were recognised at a badge ceremony during the gathering.

Leaders were acknowledged for service milestones: five years (Simone van der Merwe), 15 years (Bridget Poole, Naomi Mitchell and Olga Lipkovics), 20 years (Leana Habeck), 25 years (Ute Gerard and Nicole Meyer) and 40 years (Esme Hough).

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