By Staff Reporter
NELSPRUIT – Mpumalanga Health MEC Sasekani Manzini has welcomed the birth of 50 New Year babies in the province, while expressing deep concern over the persistent teenage pregnancy crisis after it was revealed that a 14-year-old girl was among six teenagers who gave birth on New Year’s Day.
Manzini confirmed that the youngest New Year mother, aged 14, delivered her baby at Themba Hospital, describing the incident as a serious matter that requires urgent intervention.
“We have registered one case of a 14-year-old at Themba Hospital. It’s a very serious matter. From the side of the Department of Health, we need to complete a Form 22 so that the case can be referred to the Department of Social Development for processing,” said Manzini.
She explained that the process enables the matter to be escalated to the South African Police Service and the National Prosecuting Authority for further investigation.
Teenage pregnancy remains a major challenge in Mpumalanga, with the province recording a staggering 9 712 teenage pregnancies in 2025 alone.
“As a province, we have recorded 9 712 teenage pregnancies. Some of these involve young people above the age of 17. This is a programme we are going to address as a cluster, so that as a provincial government we are able to deal decisively with these cases,” Manzini said.
The MEC also highlighted social and cultural challenges that continue to hinder preventative efforts, noting that resistance from some parents and religious institutions often obstructs educational programmes aimed at teaching teenagers about pregnancy prevention and sexually transmitted diseases.
“People say government is encouraging young people to engage in sexual intercourse at an early age, but the reality is reflected in these numbers,” she said. “We need to work closely with communities and parents. Some communities resist even when we want to introduce educational programmes at schools.”
Manzini was speaking during a New Year’s Day visit to Shongwe Hospital in the Nkomazi Local Municipality, where she presented provincial statistics on New Year births. By 10:00 on January 1, Shongwe Hospital had recorded five births—three boys and two girls.
Across the province, a total of 50 babies were born on January 1, 2026, with 23 males and 27 females. The first baby of 2026 in Mpumalanga was born at 00:05 at Witbank Hospital in Emalahleni Local Municipality. The baby boy, weighing 2 800g, was delivered by a 24-year-old mother.
The second baby was born at 00:33 at Tonga Hospital in the Nkomazi Local Municipality. The baby girl weighed 2 980g and was delivered by a 23-year-old mother. The province also recorded one set of twins at Shongwe Hospital and one macerated stillbirth at Evander Hospital.
Manzini further revealed that, in total, three teenage mothers had delivered babies on New Year’s Day—two from the Ehlanzeni District aged 14 and 16, and one 17-year-old from Gert Sibande District at Standerton Hospital.
She called for a united approach involving government departments, traditional leaders, communities, families, and law enforcement agencies to combat teenage pregnancy.
“As the Mpumalanga Department of Health, we view teenage pregnancy as a societal scourge that needs to be curbed. Working with our sister departments and other stakeholders, we will continue to do everything in our power to address this challenge,” said Manzini.
She cited contributing factors such as alcohol abuse among young people, statutory rape, and older men exploiting young girls.
Manzini also praised healthcare workers who continued to serve throughout the festive season, assuring residents that health facilities in the province remain conducive for safe deliveries.
“As the new year begins, we renew our commitment to the principles of Batho Pele and our vision of ensuring a healthy, developed society,” she said. “We wish all the people of Mpumalanga a prosperous New Year filled with hope, responsibility and togetherness.”
