Welcome to our insightful interview with Qinisile Cele, the pioneering Founder and CEO of Family Matters Fertility Centre. As the first female to open a fertility clinic in South Africa, Qinisile has revolutionized the approach to reproductive health and fertility services. Her journey from experiencing the vibrant life of a large family to recognizing the profound struggles of those facing infertility has shaped her mission.
Qinisile, What was it like for you to go on this journey as the first female to open a fertility clinic and what motivated you to begin?
I come from a family of seven children, with myself being number five of seven. I was exposed to poverty but never the lack of children in my environment. I was used to a big family full of noise and drama. In my training as an OBGYN (Obstetrics and Gynaecology) specialist, I got seriously exposed to the other end of the spectrum, where people struggled to have kids and desperately desired to have children of their own. I understood what they lacked; I understood their need and what they longed for because I had it. I knew what it is like to have siblings, to have children of your own, and the fulfillment it comes with. It always broke my heart to see people cry from infertility, thus I decided I would love to be part of the solution. I would love to walk the journey with them to explore their possibilities and, God willing, assist them in achieving this big dream of parenthood and starting a family. Thus, even our company name is ÒFamily MattersÓ since we deal with matters of the family because family does matter.
As for being the first woman in South Africa to own a Fertility Clinic, that came to me as a surprise recognition only when I had established my Fertility Centre, it was an added bonus as I was only in competition with myself and my dreams. This is a male-dominated field, and the reality is that there are many women who suffer from infertility but are too uncomfortable to discuss it. Thus, I forged through a journey I had never seen modeled by any woman before and strived to provide excellent work that would benefit many who suffered from infertility but were too afraid to face their challenges.
Could you expand on your history and what led you into specialising in Gynaecology, what is it about this field that interests you and motivates you to work with what must be some difficult cases at times?
I guess I have always been an adrenaline junkie since obstetrics and gynae can be like a wild sport. It requires you to be on the edge, ready to jump to any sudden complication, and pull in the right plug of skill at that critical moment to save a life. In this instant, it is saving two lives in one; the mom and baby. Being a good OBGYN has more Superhero vibes than any other work I know and I believe that the feeling of triumph and endearing outcomes of ushering in new life on earth got me attracted to the field.
Then being a fertility specialist is the closest vocation to working alongside God Almighty and miracles every day. Quite humbling and fulfilling is such a calling.
Can you tell us about any of the challenges your business has faced and how the fertility clinic has succeeded despite any set back that may have risen?
The biggest challenge of starting a business like a fertility clinic is the financial capital required to invest in the equipment and advanced scientific devices required to achieve such specialised, intricate work. I had to start way in advance in researching the requirements and resources required and then outsourcing them one by one to achieve the goal. It took a very deep bite into my pocket and hefty loan acquirements to get this giant business off the ground.
Also, coming in as a new kid in the block required a lot of determination and work toward gaining the trust of the people. Clients had to believe that I was equally capable of treating them as well as the long-standing giants of the field, if not better. You have to gain that credibility and prove yourself capable. This is what FMFC has managed to achieve in a short space of time as the service we offer speaks for itself and no greater marketing than that of first-hand experience leading to expansive word of mouth.
The funny part is that my fertility centre was launched 13 February 2020 which was not only a day before valentines day but a month before the whole world shut down due to covid. Here you are starting a new business. What is amazing to note though is that pending death never quenched peoples desires to become parents. Other people felt if not now then when.
You offer an array of services from egg donation to general Gynaecology, why is it important to you to offer all of these services and make sure women have the support from your own fertility clinic?
As you provide a service to clients you end up developing a level of rapport and trust with them that they would rather walk this daunting journey with you from start to finish. It is very hard in the first place to trust anybody with your life, then again in this field, your money as well. So, I have tried to put together other avenues required for the smooth running of the processes to make my client's lives easier without wandering far before they get what they need. Thus, I also established the Family Matters Miracle Gift egg donation agency, where I recruit and qualify donors beforehand to support those who are in need of egg donation to achieve their dreams of parenthood. I have established Family Matters Wellness Centre to cater to holistic care of our clients, including their mental health, self-care, and mommy make-over after the birthing journey for every Stella to get her groove back.
Your clinic is committed to providing women with accurate and high quality advice surrounding medical care and wellness, do women find it a challenge to receive this care and support surrounding fertility and how has your clinic helped to fill this gap?
Infertility is associated with loads of stigma and shame; thus, women and men still find the topic taboo and the experience quite lonely. Family Matters Fertility Centre wants to change that. I thus host open discussions on the different issues surrounding struggling to conceive, and I add authentic insight and a touch of humor to lighten the baby-making topic for easy discussion. I have started a YouTube channel named Family Matters Fertility Centre and Instagram, FaceBook, and TikTok platforms where I give medical education to the public to guide and support them with science-backed knowledge throughout their journey in more colloquial means.
How does the work you do supply yourself and colleagues with the relief of knowing women are finding the help they need; can you explain the positive feeling which must come from your work?
The work I do as a fertility specialist is not just a job, it's a miraculous service. It cannot be explained in words the satisfaction and elation that comes from one positive pregnancy test of a couple that has been struggling to conceive, crying and having diminished self-esteem over years. It is not just a sense of achievement that you feel as a doctor; it is also life-saving therapy restoring hope, self-worth, and joy to people in need.
How do you promote the confidence in women for them to seek the help they need, what advice would you give to anyone who might need your services?
People need to understand that it is a 'two-man' job to make a baby and both partners are important in this journey. It really takes two to tango. Making a baby is the one thing on earth that no man nor woman can ever achieve on their own, no matter how superior they may deem themselves to be. This is one part of life where God made strictly sure that we need each other, male and female. We can't do it on our own, even in cases of single parents, the egg and sperm is needed. In infertility, there is no blame game. Nobody wakes up and chooses to be infertile. So people must also be kinder to themselves and their partners. It is hard enough to struggle to conceive, and the journey ahead requires a strong support system and understanding.
Finally, what do you look forward to when running your own clinic, do you have any plans for your business in the future?
I look forward to Family Matters spreading its wings to cover other areas of South Africa and the world at large. We have already started servicing clients from other countries like Angola, Mozambique, Congo, etc. We also offer travel IVF for global citizens from the United States and other countries to experience medical tourism. There are agents that assist with housing, touring, transporting, etc., whilst we provide the medical services required. It is a running joke here that people fly into our country anxious and fly out pregnant, having achieved their dreams. We enjoy receiving pictures of their babies at birth and as they grow, and their parents are continually grateful and celebrate with us the gift of life. Being a fertility centre is not just a business; it is a humbling service to mankind.
