By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The national department of health welcomed more than 500 babies that came into the world between midnight and noon, which included six sets of twins.
A total of 570 babies were born in the first 12 hours of Christmas Day.
The first Christmas baby was delivered at midnight at Osindisweni Hospital in KwaZulu-Natal followed by another delivery at 12.01am at Nkhensani Hospital in Limpopo. Two deliveries were recorded at 12.02am at Standerton Hospital in Mpumalanga and Madwaleni Hospital in the Eastern Cape, health department spokesperson Foster Mohale said.
“The department will walk side by side with the new mothers as they embark on this incredible journey of motherhood. This includes ensuring their babies are up to date with immunisation to protect them against vaccine-preventable childhood diseases such as measles and polio,” Mohale said.
The province with the highest number of births was Gauteng which recorded 184 Christmas babies, comprising 105 boys and 79 girls. The Eastern Cape followed with 104 babies — 57 boys and 47 girls.
Limpopo recorded 84 births — 44 boys and 40 girls — North West recorded 50 births while KwaZulu-Natal reported the birth of 21 boys and 26 girls, totalling 47 Christmas babies.
Mpumalanga recorded 34 births (20 boys and 14 girls), the Northern Cape recorded 30 births (14 boys and 16 girls). the Free State 24 births (15 boys and nine girls) and the Western Cape welcomed 18 babies (eight boys and 10 girls).
Mohale said the figures were expected to change as births occurring later on Christmas Day were reported.
The department extended its gratitude to the hardworking health workers who helped deliver the Christmas babies safely.