Nearly 800 born, one mother just 13 years old

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Hundreds of women welcomed their bundles of joy on Christmas day, Wednesday 25 December, with one mother in Limpopo as young as 13.

The latest available numbers at the time of publishing showed that nearly 800 babies were delivered on Christmas day.

That figure is considerably lower when compared to previous years.

In 2023, 1 708 newborns were delivered while 1 414 were welcomed in 2022.

Seshego Hospital outside Polokwane saw one of the youngest mothers – a 13-year-old.

Below are pictures and videos of a handful of the new moms and their little ones.

NEARLY 800 CHRISTMAS BABIES WELCOMED

eNCA reported on 26 December that Gauteng and the Eastern Cape have recorded the highest number of births of Christmas babies.

Those born in the country’s public health facilities include over 10 sets of twins.

The Gauteng province recorded 393 deliveries – 209 boys and 184 girls, according to a media statement from the Gauteng health department.

A total of 39 of these babies were welcomed at the Tembisa Hospital.

Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, Gauteng MEC for health and wellness, congratulated the mothers on the new additions to their families.

She also urged the parents to ensure the babies are immunised.

Nkomo-Ralehoko said: “Congratulations to all the families. We would like to encourage parents to ensure their bundles of joy are immunised on specified dates set out on the road to healthcare booklet to protect them against diseases such as polio, tuberculosis, hepatitis, measles and meningitis. Immunisation is free at all public clinics and community healthcare centres in the province.”

The importance of the babies being registered was also highlighted.

Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Njabulo Nzuza, expressed: “The entry into the national population register is through birth registration. Without it the children cannot fully access service. Through our collaboration with the department of health nationally we have made it easier for parents to register their children by opening home affairs offices within health facilities.”

KWAZULU-NATAL CHRISTMAS BABIES

The KwaZulu-Natal province recorded 47 newborns – 26 girls and 21 boys.

According to the KZN Health MEC, Nomagugu Simelane-Mngadi, three 15-year-olds were among those who gave birth on Christmas day, SowetanLIVE reported.