By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Caption: Limpopo premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba (Left) and Prof. Nyaweleni Tshifularo (Right).
Prof. Nyaweleni Tshifularo, who led the team that separated conjoined twins at Mankweng Hospital in Limpopo, is grateful for the support his team received from the provincial administration and the local university.
The twins, who were born on 28 January 2026, at Mankweng Hospital, underwent a complex surgical procedure that marked a historic milestone for South Africa’s public healthcare system.
Prof Tshifularo said the procedure was highly complex because the twins were joined at the trunk and shared certain organs.
He also shed light on how conjoined twins are formed, describing it as a rare complication during the early stages of twinning.
“It’s a part of the twinning, so they were going to be born as twins. But something happened in the abdomen, in the uterus before they are born. It’s either they didn’t separate completely and then you end up with another baby on this side and they are still stuck together,” he explained.
The identical twins are in a stable condition and are recovering at the hospital’s neonatal ICU unit.
Limpopo premier Phophi Ramathuba said she was elated by the successful separation and commended the multidisciplinary team led by Prof Tshifularo for undertaking the delicate and complex procedure.
“This operation represents a historic moment for Limpopo. For the first time in South Africa, a rural hospital has accomplished such a high scale operation. This achievement changes the landscape of healthcare in our province and reaffirm our belief in the potential of rural hospitals,” she said.
Ramathuba added that the achievement highlights the growing capacity, skill and commitment of healthcare professionals in the province and underscores the need for continued investment in rural health facilities.
South Africa has recorded several successful conjoined twin separation surgeries since 1986, performed at major hospitals.
President Cyril Ramaphosa described the operation as “unbelievable” and “miraculous”, noting that such highly specialised procedures are typically performed at leading tertiary hospitals.
“I am just so pleased and happy, and indeed, the whole country should be pleased that you have undertaken a very complicated operation that would normally be done at top class hospitals, like Groote Schuur Hospital, where we had the heart transplant operation in the 60s by Doctor Christiaan Barnard. We thank you for having succeeded in doing this unbelievable, complicated and difficult operation, “the President said.
The President highlighted the significance of the achievement, saying it demonstrates that advanced medical procedures can be successfully carried out in rural public hospitals.
“I can just imagine how difficult the operation was. So, I congratulate all of you, and the nation is filled with pride that a public hospital in the rural areas of our country [achieved this]. You have succeeded Prof Tshifularo and your team in undertaking this very difficult and complicated operation,” he said.
Ramaphosa said the success of the procedure has brought hope to the children’s family.
“We are very proud. We are really overjoyed with the great success that we have achieved. And I’m sure that the family is also very pleased with what you have done for them and given an improved life to the children. “