By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
South Africa welcomed about 411 newborn babies on New Year’s Day, with Gauteng leading the way with 112 babies, followed by KwaZulu-Natal with 84, and the Eastern Cape with 52.
Health Minister Joe Phaahla, along with KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube and Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane-Dube, commemorated this joyous occasion at GJ Crookes Hospital in Scottsburgh.
Phaahla revealed that out of the total newborns, 211 were girls and 200 were boys.
He has been visiting public hospitals across the country to oversee the deliveries of Christmas and New Year’s babies.
Phaahla said it is concerning that the fathers have not been present.
“As we do that let’s not forget the fathers, we hope that they were there, even if they were not there at the labour ward, they were somewhere around during that difficult times. I am happy the majority of reports we are getting were normal deliveries.”
The youngest mother to give birth was a 14-year-old girl in KwaZulu-Natal, raising concerns about underage pregnancies in the country.
Simelane said the part of the issue can be linked to outdated cultural practices like inhlawulo – “damages” paid to the family of a woman who became pregnant out of wedlock by the father of the future child.
“When a 14 or a 13-year-old falls pregnant, the issue of inhlawulo is no longer a matter that must be discussed because what damages are you paying when you have impregnated a 13-year-old. That person must just be arrested plain and simple,” said Simelane.
Simelane added that there are options at public health facilities open to those who with unplanned pregnancies.
“As a province we remain concerned by the rate of unplanned pregnancies which is evident through other indicators. The demand also for the safe termination of pregnancy especially within the 10 to 19-year age group.
“Of course we will never turn anyone back but we are just using that as an indication to say there is a lot of unsafe sex that is happening among our teenagers,” she said.
Simelane also said 25-year-old Philisiwe Jili was the first mother to give birth in the province at the stroke of midnight.
She had a 2.9 kg baby boy at the King Dinuzulu Hospital at Pongola, which delivered six babies altogether.
Simelane said these New Year’s babies carry the hopes of everyone in the country.
“Their entry into the world comes amidst many cheers and celebrations as we ushered in the New Year, and so they symbolize hope, new beginnings and the infinite possibilities that life has to offer. They are the embodiment of our dreams of a brighter and healthier future.”