Introduction: South Africa is one of the few developing countries with a national confidential inquiry into maternal deaths. The establishment of the Confidential Enquiry into Maternal Deaths in South Africa was to allow the country to determine at what level there is a breakdown in the health system and in turn this will allow for remedial action. The information for “saving Mothers” comes from an analysis of data on women who died in South Africa during pregnancy, pregnancy, labour or the puerperium in the four quadrium and were reported to the National Committee on Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths (NccEMD).

Problem statement: All the reports from the inception of NccEMD made recommendations, but poor review and report on what the country has achieved with regards to maternal mortality.

Purpose: To establish progress made in South Africa with regards to maternal mortality.

Objectives: To assess the levels of maternal morbidity and morbidity in South Africa; and to report findings and make recommendations.

Research design: A retrospective, comparative study to assess all the NccEMD reports from 1998 to 2012.

Conclusion: The death of a woman who leaves behind a young family has devastating consequences for these survivors, with increased chances of disadvantage, illness and premature death, especially in poorer societies.